Wisdom from the year:
- We are all stronger than we think. No matter what you think you can personally handle, you can surpass that by miles. You won’t know until you need to test your strength, so just trust me for now.
- Experiences are invaluable. Material possessions in abundance can be harmful, but even in small quantities do not hold a candle to experiencing life with others. We are social by nature and all have a strong desire to fellowship with one another.
- We should always have a direct mission. Visualize what you want to accomplish, especially for big goals. Don’t over-think or marinate in your successes or accomplishments. Once it is done be content and move on.
- Let others take the limelight. If you have been given the spotlight it is natural to attract people who want to use it for their own benefit. Ask yourself why the attention is on you in the first place? Remember your direct mission, complete it, and leave the center of attention as soon as the task is done. This will allow others to take the spotlight they so desire. Some you may find worthy of the attention and others you may find are using it to harm. Either way, it does not matter. You can only be concerned with your own purpose.
- It is impossible to plan your future. Anything you think is the plan for your life is wrong. Planning for the future is responsible and the right thing to do. However, we need to be prepared that our future is not in our hands and not get too attached to our plans for the future.
- Unconditionally accept apologies. – I have never received more apologies in my life than I have this year. Accept and embrace them. You are discerning enough to know who is being sincere and who may be doing it to save face. You do not have to keep those people who may not be altruistic close to your life, but embrace the apology for your own sanity. You do not need to carry around the burden of someone else.
- Love looks and feels the same no matter where you are from. Love is universal and has no language barrier. We all show love the same way and it is heard clearly throughout the world. Keep spreading it.
- We are to teach our children the importance of a quality life, not an easy one. When people talk about how you may make your child’s life hard, definitely check the source of that concern. We live in a lazy gluttonous culture that strives for easiness. The truth is, through trials and tribulations, greatness and true joy is born. Gratitude is lost when things are easy. Ask yourself why we are on this earth. How is your life meaningful? Teach your children this also. There is no doubt that by being an active and positive member of our global community we surely will not have an easy life, but it will be a great one. That is what we are teaching our children.
- True friendship shines during hardship. People always say you find out who your real friends are when some large event happens in your life. This is often meant negatively. However, I’ve found the opposite. Choose your friends wisely. Not only was every friend of mine this year rallying behind me, they banded together without even talking to me to make sure I was taken care of. This sense of family and love was overwhelming. Take care of the people around you and they will do the same for you.
- …And finally...it is okay to like the Twilight movies and at the same time admit they are kind of awful.
Love and Community- 2012
This post was sponsored by a generous donation to Fayye Foundation from Neuyear Calendars. Jesse Phillips is an entrepreneur who is already using his start-up business to give back to our global community. Check out their calendars, because he’s not only donating to Fayye Foundation and helping to fund our clean water project for Argasi, but he’s offering a 30% discount to iamnotthebabysitter.com readers PLUS a $5 donation to Fayye Foundation for every calendar purchased.
