Tag Archives: life

31 things I have learned in my 31 years

Just before my 31st birthday, with 2 of my favorite girls.

I turned 31 this week, much to my dismay. On some of my past birthdays, I’ve look at myself and say, “Damn, you look pretty good for (insert age here).” Not this year. California and the stress that has come with it has aged me. But I don’t think that is all negative. The time I have had for self reflection, both positive and negative, have made me a more complete person. Whether that has made me a better or worse person, I will let you decide, but onto the point of this post. I have learned so much in my time, and I thought I would share some of the most important points with you.

1. Always live life by the Golden Rule. I don’t think much explanation is needed here.

2. Ask for forgiveness when you don’t have time to ask for permission.

3. Scrap number 2, because you are going to worry yourself sick about getting in trouble. Just ask for permission instead.

4. Cherish the small moments. For me, even just my fiance kissing me on the forehead can make all the difference in my day.

5. Never, EVER pass up an opportunity to pee. (I have to thank my dad for this one.)

6. Live life for yourself, because frankly, no one else cares. Your memories have to be for you.

7. Dessert, mostly cupcakes, is sometimes the answer.

8. A hot shower is ALWAYS the answer. Note: do not try to combine numbers 7 and 8. Icing is too precious.

9. Home is where your mom is.

10. The best way to start your day is with a funny YouTube video.

11. Always take a sweatshirt.

12. The good stuff (donuts, gummy bears, jelly beans, etc.) always makes your stomach hurt. Eat it anyway.

13. Every person you meet is meant to bring you something that you didn’t have before. There is a reason for it all.

14. Sometimes you just have to skip.

15. Galloping works too.

16. Snuggling is the best thing ever created. Pets, people, pillows, whatever.

17. When you need to be reminded that you are a sane human, just turn on the Real Housewives of Anywhere or the Bad Girls Club.

18. If you are with me, and I am unpleasant, feed me. Chances are it will get better

19. Going to Target and just walking around is an acceptable form of social interaction.

20. Can’t think of what to fix for Breakfast, Lunch, Snack or Dinner? The answer is always Breakfast food.

21. The best thing about music is that you can always find a song to support your mood.

22. Three words: EDDIE WOULD GO.

23. Like attracts like.

24. Your parents were always right.

25. It is much easier to get mad and scream in your car when other drivers on the road are stupid than accept their bad driving as “just something you have to deal with.”

26. There are very few priceless things in life that are physical objects.

27. Time heals all wounds. Scars may remain, but the pain will fade.

28. The best way to reset your mind is by doing something that makes you feel like a kid again.

29. The best feeling in the world is putting on a new pair of socks.

30. A morning without caffeine is not a great morning

31. Life will throw so many things at you. Take each one in stride, and enjoy the roller coaster ride that awaits you.

It all comes back to footwear

If you have been reading my blog lately, you know that I have a strange obsession with the show Cheers at the current moment. Well for a while I had jumped around, not necessarily watching episodes in order. Recently I started, I believe, in season 8, and yesterday, I finally made it to the series finale. Of course I cried, because heaven forbid I don’t cry at something these days. But I also learned an interesting lesson. If you recall the final episode, it was a 3 parter when Diane comes back, Sam contemplates leaving, and Woody gets everyone a job for the city. But at the very end of the episode, the gang is sitting around the bar talking about how much they all *cough* love *cough* each other.

At one point, they talk about what makes life complete. Carla says having kids, Frasier says life is a cosmic accident, and Cliff says footwear. Without comfortable footwear, no great accomplishment would have been made, that life is chaos without good footwear. At the end of the episode, they all say how glad they are that Sam has stayed, and that if he had left, someone would have some pretty big shoes to fill. Cliff then says, “See! It all comes back to footwear!”

My favorite running shoes, Nike Free v7.0 with side laces

 

Well Cliff is right in many aspects, in regards to my life anyway. Running for example, is a very trying task if you do not have the appropriate footwear. You will have knee, back and hip problems if your shoes are worn out or not activity appropriate. In marketing, you need to view the idea or promotion from the public’s point of view, or “walk in their shoes” to determine if something if going to work for your brand. A squeaky shoe, wet shoes, or broken shoes can ruin your day. People have shoe addictions, or their baby’s first shoes hanging over the rear view mirror in their car. A new pair of shoes can change the way you feel.

 

I went looking for some new shoes yesterday, as I have been having a few foot problems with my training schedule. With 44 miles scheduled this week, I don’t expect them to get much better, so I am trying to figure out the best solution so I am not in pain… (odd metaphor to my life right now, but I won’t go into that). So once again, my success, failure, and comfort come down to footwear.

Quite odd, but Cliff Clavin had a good point.

I went back to the office today after a few weeks back in Kansas. I miss my dogs. I miss my boyfriend. Sometimes I wonder why I left. I know it was absolutely the right decision for me. I would not be happy if I had stayed in my old position at Fort Hays State. I was miserable there. I was a babysitter. I wasn’t running. I was working like 80 hours a week. It was all around a very bad situation for me. I lost myself there, which is funny, because I thought I would have everything I needed!

I am down to less than a week until I leave for Florida, and I feel that this will be a step back on the right path for me. One of the best years of my life was when I ran the first marathon 3 years ago. Running had helped me get through so many things, and being away from my family is one of those things.

I will leave you with this today, as it is how I decide my next move in life:

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”- Walt Disney