17 Things I've learned by 17

I compiled a list of 17 things I've learned from experiences of the now 17 years I’ve lived as of today. A card I received this year read “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”

Enjoy my list.

1. Trust in God.

Even in the short span of 17 years, I’ve learned there’s a reason behind everything you get put through. You may be going through a tough time, but remember what you’re working towards. Heaven will be worth all of the tears, happiness, and confusion.

2. Mom is ALWAYS right.

No matter how many times you checked the fridge door for milk, once your mom’s the one looking for it, it’s there.

Also, I can not even describe how right she was for not allowing me to dye half my head of hair neon colors when I was in 6th grade. Thank you, mom. I owe you one.

3.There’s always room for dessert.

Maybe you did just eat three full sized meals and can hardly move you’re so full, but when the cake and ice-cream comes out, don’t even lie to yourself saying you won’t take any. I saw a picture once that said, “Life’s short, eat the cake.” and I am a firm believer.

4. Effort is more respectable than success.

No matter how much I can’t stand hearing this over and over, life’s not fair. There can be somebody that works harder than anyone in the world and not get near the same results. I personally hold those people to high honors. Not everyone deserves what they get, and that can go both ways, but just because all the work you’re putting out doesn’t get you where you want, you can’t give up.

5. Success isn’t always noticed. 

There will always be times that you reach personal goals you may have been working on for a long time, and no one will notice. Not all success is to be flaunted though, no success ever really is. All you need is self contentment in your accomplishments. 

6. Don’t rush into anything, all good things come in time.

You do not need a boyfriend. You do not need to sell everything you own for a new car. You do not need to get a job just because everyone else seems to think you do. Chances are you rushing into something like a relationship or a job will not end well. Be patient and refer to number 1, God will give you everything you need at the exact time you need, even if you don’t notice at first. All of the best opportunities I've been granted so far have been completely spontaneous.

7. There’s always a bright side in every situation.

I feel this one speaks a lot for itself. You just have to be able to see it, and choose to see it.

8. Followers and likes are only a number, and a person is more than a number.

ARE ALL THOSE INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS GOING TO BRING YOU A LIFETIME OF HAPPINESS AS THE CEO OF THE LARGEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD? NO. Post what you like for yourself, not how many likes you think it'll produce. It is ridiculous how much a person gets judged on how many followers they have. Live your life.   

9. Life looks better from behind a smile.

Smiling is the most contagious thing and laughter is the best medicine. Living life as a happy being makes for a very enjoyable time.

10. Surround yourself with people that make you a better person.

Whether you notice it or not, you form to the people you hang around. So make sure you put yourself around people you really like, or someone you want to be like. It’s always fun knowing you’re going to be with friends who make you laugh countless times.

11. You won’t remember that time you got called for a charge with two seconds left and lost the game by two in ten years.

Yes of course I love basketball, but that one play during that one game isn’t going to have any effect on the rest of your life if you don’t let it. I mean this for every sport. You may be upset with yourself and/or the world after a game for so many possible reasons that sports give, but you can’t write down you made the buzzer beater at the state championship game on a resumé. Enjoy every practice you're privileged to have, but don’t let it leave a sour taste in your mouth.

12. The real thing is always better than the pictures. Go outside. 

The outdoors are SO beautiful (I say while sitting inside on my computer), no sunset is ever the same and every time I think, “It can’t get better than this” and they always do. Nature never fails to amaze me. I feel like it’s one of the most direct creations God has given to this earth and something to cherish every day.

13. When the race is on, all bets are off.

Who cares what anyone has to say about YOUR abilities. Let them underestimate you, and then prove them wrong and walk away with a smile on your face.

14. You’ll never hear stories like your dad’s again, listen to them while you can.

The supper table holds some of my favorite memories and also holds most of my time from how many stories I’ve heard my dad tell there. I love every second and take in every word when he’s talking. I see him reliving the exact moment in his mind while he’s telling me. Savor every detail you’re given.

15. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from doing what you love.

If I gave up every time someone doubted me, I would be the polar opposite of who I am today. Same goes on if I quit doing something I had passion for just because someone else thought it was useless. Do what you love. Not everyone will always agree with you and that’s okay, someone somewhere is going to look up to you for what you do. 

16. Supper at your grandparents tastes better and is more entertaining than any five star restaurant.

“You can have one more piece!” “Don’t let that last helping go to waste.” “Here, have another one.” Whatever you say, grandma.

The best meals are always served at your grandparents house because we all know we’ll be getting spoiled rotten once grandma steps in the kitchen. When the whole family is there, you know there’ll be a show too.

17.Be thankful for each year you’re given.

I had a recent post talking about my great grandma, but if you don’t know her, she’s the sweetest soul with the kindest words and always dresses up. I’ve never heard her say a negative word about someone. She is a blessing to me, and to sum up this last thing I’ve learned, she worded it best in my 16th birthday card last year. 

“The best thing about a birthday is that it means you’re still alive. If you’ve lived as long as I have, and lost as many loved ones, you ought to not take for granted such a gift.”

The beginning of the Lenten season - 16 ideas to give up/take up

The 2016 Lenten season begins tomorrow, February 10th. This marks the beginning of a journey. Every day of course is important, but the one’s during lent are extra special. Full of repentance, prayer, and fasting. The journey begins with Ash Wednesday, which is an amazing day to partake in, and an amazing way to kick off the rest of your Lent.

When you go to receive the ashes on your forehead you hear the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” You may have heard them spoken (or possibly you haven’t, and if not I recommend 10/10 to challenge yourself to), but have you ever thought about what they’re really saying? They’re what was spoken when Jesus began to preach. I was reading and article online that was spoken by Pope John Paul II, and he says it better than I ever could put into words-

“Yes. Today we need to hear the "you are dust and to dust you will return" of Ash Wednesday, so that the definitive truth of the Gospel, the truth about the Resurrection, will unfold before us: believe in the Gospel. 

On the threshold of Lent, it is necessary that this perspective be opened before us, so that we may believe deeply in the Gospel with all the truth of our mortal existence. 

We are called to take part in the Resurrection of Christ. For this appeal to resound within us with all its force at the beginning of the Lenten season, let us realize what death means... "You are dust" ... "Repent! ... Believe in the Gospel"! “

I came up with a list of ideas to maybe give you inspiration or direct uses of things to give up or take up for lent. I hope you choose to challenge yourself this season, and grow closer to Jesus every step of the way.

1.) Attend mass every Sunday if you do not already. If you do, that’s great! Now try going to at least one daily mass a week in addition, many parishes offer a service time before you have to be at work/school.

2.) Read the passages that’ll be read during mass, before mass. Familiarize yourself before you go in so you are fully prepared and ready to take in the homily. This’ll allow you to experience the reading in a much different way, more intimately.

3.) Prepare yourself to be able to take full advantage of Lent, go to confession. Start on a clean slate and work your way to becoming the best person you can be, the person God wants you to be.

4.) Attend Eucharistic Adoration. Even if you can only make it once. The more you go the more knowledge you’ll obtain, and going once is a good start. If your church’s times don’t fit into your schedule, adore without the monstrance in front of you. Go to a quiet place and meditate, adore.

5.) Research. As crazy as it sounds, research can be fun when it’s on a topic that actually interests you. I’ve found myself doing a lot of research on transfiguration lately and I thoroughly enjoy learning about it. Research about the Jubilee Year of Mercy Pope Francis started early this year. Find out why he started it early, what it even is, what purpose it serves. There’s so much to learn, it’s impossible to ever run out of things to learn about the church.

6.) While driving to your destination, turn on the Christian radio station, or even ride in silence. I’ve heard of so many people doing this and not once have I ever heard of it not having a positive effect.

7.) Once you get to your destination, sacrifice the best parking spot. Who knows how much you could’ve helped the next person out.

8.) Pray the rosary each day. If you can’t pray the whole rosary, pray a decade a day. This is something that is beneficial to the mind and soul. It allows yourself down time as it does meditation on the mysteries. This is an amazing way to kick off your day, or to end your day with, watching the sunset or sunrise.

9.) Fast. This is a very common one I feel like, giving up a certain food that you frequently eat is something I believe is a good sacrifice personally. You could also have water as the only liquid you drink. Also, instead of only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, don’t eat between any meals, ever. Which brings me to my next idea - 

10.) Do not eat unless you are truly hungry. You can go weeks upon weeks without eating, but we find ourselves eating multiple times throughout the day. I am by no means saying don’t eat, because that of course isn’t healthy, just limit yourself. I know I personally find myself eating a lot purely out of boredom or because ice-cream sounds really good at the moment, but if you’re not hungry, don’t eat.

11.) Pray for your enemies. This may seem impossible, impossible to pray for them, or maybe impossible for them to change, but never doubt the power of prayer. It is the strongest healing power in the world for all reasons big or small.

12.) Be positive. Life is such a better experience when you’re smiling. Try to not let things get you down, make a point to always see the benefit of every situation. Happiness is contagious, in just a little over a month you could effect so many people. In the words of Mother Teresa, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

13.) Listen more, and talk less. By this I mean keeping quiet with gossip. This is one of the most challenging I personally would say. I always catch myself saying little things on input of a subject, when I would never say them if that person was right by me. A way to prevent this I’ve found is to not speak unless necessary, change/avoid the subject, or ask the people you are with if they could stop talking about others (I can only imagine how much I’d be stunned but how much respect I would gain for a person if I heard them say this.)

14.) Something that ties into gossiping is social media antagonization. If you can’t say it out loud, don’t let your typing fingers do the talking for you. Do not post something unless you find it will be beneficial or inspiring to read. If you’re having a problem with someone, take it up with them personally. Talk to them directly and you will find you accomplish a lot more this way.

15.) Thank God more for everything you’re given. Every second of life is a gift, put it to good use.

16.) Adventure more! Try to go outside your every day to day routine. Do extra or do less, just something to switch things up, something to get you out of your comfort zone every now and then. Getting a new perspective on thing can be refreshing.

Those are all the ideas I’ve heard or thought of, I hope you get some use out of them :). I also hope I did not offend anyone with the proposal of any of them, I’m not directing them at anyone. I have participated in each scenario, I am not trying to say I am above anyone. THANK YOU everyone for reading and I hope your lenten season is a GREAT experience!!