Important Life Lessons We Learn As We Age

I recently had a conversation with a friend who is experiencing a difficult time in her life. While discussing our shared belief that everything happens for a reason, I came to the realization that it really does happen for a reason. Looking back on the most difficult time in my life, which was the time my husband and I lost two babies to miscarriage in a row, I couldn’t understand why I was being punished for something I didn’t even understand. However, now that I look back, I get it. I understand that my husband and I were meant to have this gorgeous little girl who we conceived shortly after my second miscarriage, and we cannot imagine life without her gorgeous face. From there, my friend and I discussed how much easier life would be if we could start at the end and work our way backward, so that everything in life would make sense.

As we grow older, we learn things we didn’t think we’d ever understand. Here are a few of the most important life lessons I’ve learned so far. As I near 30, I only look forward to the things I will continue to learn, and I hope that I can look back at this article someday and add to it.

It’s the Simple Things in Life

Kenny Chesney said it best when he made this statement in a song about alcohol addiction (does the glass of wine I’m currently sipping make that statement wrong somehow?). When I was younger, all that mattered to me was driving my expensive luxury SUV, wearing high-end designer shoes, and carrying the latest Louis Vuitton handbags (all of which I still love and enjoy). However, as I grow older, I realize that what really makes me happy is mixing pancakes with my four-year-old, my one-year-old’s silly smile, my husband’s kisses, and the completely awesome friends and family we have in our lives. I like my material things, but they don’t matter when it comes to my happiness.

Giving is Better Than Getting

My husband is the best gift giver ever, and he always includes a little blue Tiffany’s box with something inside it for every holiday. As much as I love getting these gifts, there is nothing more exciting to me than picking out the best gift for my kids and watching as they open their gifts. The excitement in their eyes is amazing. Seeing my parents’ expressions as they open a card from us telling them they’re going on a cruise on us, since they never went on a honeymoon was priceless. Seeing my husband’s face when he pulled out his plan coffee mug this morning to see that I’d written a little love note on it with a sharpie and baked it in the oven so the note will never wash off was priceless. I love those moments. There’s so much satisfaction in giving to others.

Humor Cures Everything

People don’t get my sense of humor all the time, particularly when I make a joke about something bad that happened to us. However, it’s how I deal. When I find a way to laugh about things, it makes it easier for me. I’ve learned that on the hardest of days and during the most trying of times, being with my family and my friends and just laughing has a miraculous way of curing any sadness, hurt, or pain that I feel.

In short, what I’ve learned is that my family and my friends mean more to me than anything around. I love them each, with all their different personalities, and all their different perfections and imperfections. When it comes down to it, I’d rather hang out with them by the pool making jokes about toes and the placement of cup holders in vehicles than I would doing just about anything else. Although, I’ve also learned that I’m a lot of fun and I have fun just about everywhere I go, but not everyone is so lucky (I kid!).

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