Lessons I Learned In 2016

Here we are again.  We all know my feelings on 2016 but even the worst of years bring lessons...usually the worst of years brings the biggest lessons.  So here are all the many important things I learned in 2016:

• Expectations are the biggest double edged swords.  We are comforted in the belief that it is the truth, but it holds us back and keeps us from better possibilities
• Don't place all of your happiness in other people.  The only person you can completely trust with that is yourself.  If you don't look out for you no one will.
• Love doesn't always last, but if you keep your heart open you will always find someone to love again.  You can't find your soulmate with your heart locked away
• Don't be afraid to ask for help.  We all understand what it means to fall on rough times.  Reach out to the people closest to you when you're in need.
• Don't take the people in your life for granted.  Sometimes we are so worried about what goes on in our lives that we forget how much our presence means to our loved ones. 
• Make everyday thanksgiving day.  Not the food (even though we can all agree there are few things better than mashed potatoes) but the way you think about the world.  Spend every day realizing just how many great things happen, so that when you're down on your luck you realize there is something to smile about. 
• Sometimes you have to let people go.  We want to hold on because we think our love and attention can solve everything, but then we have nothing left for ourselves.  When someone leaves you drained after talking, or being with them, it's time to let go.
• Learn to accept your flaws.  If you accept every part of yourself there will be nothing that can take you down.  You will be more invincible than Achilles.
• Accept and acknowledge when you're wrong.  When you take a step down and let go of your pride, and stop pretending to be infallible that when people will be most comfortable to approach you.
• Open up to people.  Share your soul with them.  If they are really meant to be in  your life they will stay and accept that part of you (even the terrible ugly parts).  The things that are really meant to happen, will.

Happy New Year friends and family.  2016 was incredibly challenging but I grew so much.  Cheers to 2017.  

xoxo

V

Lessons I Learned in 2015

I know this is going to sound completely cliche but I really really can't believe it's already the end of the year.  As I do every year I decided to look back and think about the lessons 2015 taught me....and this is what I came up with. 

• I learned that you should always trust yourself.  You know more than you think you do. 
• Always do what you are afraid to do
• It's not what happens to you that is important.  It's what you do about it. 
• It takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. 
• It's not what you have in your life, it's who you have in your life.
• You can get by on charm for about 15 minutes....after that, you better know something
• A cozy blanket and a cheesy movie can make you feel better after a bad day
• No matter how thin you slice it...there are always 2 sides
• It's a lot easier to react than to think
• You should always leave your loved ones with loving words.  It could always be the last time you see them.
• You can keep going long after you think you can't
• People are not as scary as you think they are
• You are responsible for what you do...no matter how you feel
• You either control your attitude or it controls you
• Learning to forgive takes practice (a lot....of practice)
• Your best friends and you can do anything or nothing and still have the best time
• I want to marry someone who loves me as much as Chip loves Joanna on Fixer Upper
• You should tell people how important they are to you.  Always.
• How to be angry and sad and joyful and excited and lonely and afraid and happy....experiencing every emotion and being ok with every emotion
• You cannot make anyone love you.  All you can do is be someone who can be loved.  The rest is up to them.  (this is not about just love relationships either....this pertains to friendships and really all kinds of relationships)
• Your worth is not measured by your job or relationship status
• No matter how good a friend someone is, they are going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that. 
• Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.  
• A 20 minute power nap can literally change your life
• Sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions
• No matter the consequences...always be honest with yourself
• A good 30 minute dance party can help you work through a lot of things
• Everyone on this earth is wanting to be loved and accepted.  Be someone who is willing to love and accept.
• Courage isn't always fighting a fight....sometimes it's just doing something for yourself that is terrifying.
• I will always regret the fact I didn't marry Zack Morris
• When you start to see how much you're worth, you will find people who also see your worth.  They will be your tribe.  Love them.
• Be passionate about what makes you happy.  Passion is a gift to us.  Don't let it go to waste.

2015 was hard.....it was weird and it was wonderful. And 2016 will be weird and wonderful because life is weird and wonderful.  

Happy New Year friends and family. 

xoxo

V 

Twenty Things

1. Appreciate your parents.  You don't know what will happen.

2. If you don't want to wear make up, don't.  If you love the feeling of a bold lipstick and liquid liner...rock that too.  Not wearing make up doesn't make you sloppy and wearing make up doesn't make you vain.

3. It's really okay to love yourself.  Appreciate the funny curve of your nose, and that gap in your teeth makes your smile prettier.  Just because you don't look like that girl in the magazine doesn't mean you can't tell yourself you're beautiful every now and then.

4. Do what makes you happy.  I know you've heard this a million times, but I can't stress this enough.  Go after your dream job even if it goes against every thing your parents wanted.  If you don't like where you live, move.  Your friends don't make you laugh until your sides hurt?  You don't have to be friends with them anymore.  You're in control.  No one else.  Don't fall under the pressure of pleasing people.  Please yourself and live for yourself.

5. Love who you want.  Regardless of skin color or societal views or really what anyone else thinks.  Please never give up true love because you're scared.  Love is a beautiful beautiful thing and if you're lucky enough to come across it don't you dare walk away from it because of what others will think.

6.Take long showers and lay on your bed naked after, sing too loud, sleep through your duties one day, and another day just don't leave the couch.  It's okay to just decide you don't have responsibilities for a little bit.  Everyone needs a day every so often to just relax.  It's okay to be lazy.  It's okay to sleep for 12 hours straight.  It's okay to go to bed at 6 am because you're reading and wake up at 3 the next day.  Treat yourself.  But most importantly love yourself enough to give yourself time to breathe.

7. Alone time is good for the soul.  I truly believe that.  I think it's good to cancel your plans sometimes, close your door, turn off your phone, and play some Fleetwood Mac.  Maybe you could read a book, or hell even write one.  Take the time just you and yourself and learn to be happy with just you and the sound of your breathing.  At the end of the day you are the only person that is guaranteed to stick around, so you might as well learn to enjoy the way you laugh at your own jokes or the way you pronounce words when you read out loud.  Being comfortable alone is more important that you know.

8. It's okay to be in your 20's and still love Disney movies.  It's not even a guilty pleasure.  Everyone has their favorite whether they admit it or not.

9. Do not compromise who you are to impress someone else.  You are a wonderfully constructed individual.  Your trials, experiences, and life all together have sculpted you into the most lovely version of you possible.  If a person doesn't like the way you live from your personal choices to your music taste, who cares?  You were not put on this earth to impress them, or anyone for that matter.  Impress yourself.  Stick to what you want, stand up for what you believe,  It's your life.

10. High school does not in any manner prepare you for college.  One time my teacher dismissed class early because a kid fell down the stairs and he was laughing too hard to continue the lecture.  That's all I have to say about that subject.

11. I now you're making tons of new friends, but don't forget the ones who have been there from the start.  Your new friends may be exciting and wonderful and the best friends you could imagine but the ones who knew you back in middle school and were still there for you are genuine.  If they loved you through your awkward phase, they're probably in it for the long run.  So send some love their way every so often.  When you're older, you'll be glad you did.

12. Your mom will probably cry a lot as you get older.  Let her.  Hug her.  Cry with her.  She just wants you to be happy at the end of the day.  Spend Sunday afternoon telling her about your life.  She'll appreciate that so much and you will too later on.

13. Stop glamorizing sadness. Sadness is not beautiful.  It does not glow.  Disorders are not something to make light of, and scars are not something to be ignored.  Be proud of who you are.  Eat that hamburger, and put the razor down.  And most importantly, smile.  Happiness is by far the most beautiful thing about a person.

14. It will all be okay at the end of the day.  Life has a funny way of working out.

15. Speaking of funny.....life literally never goes as planned.  Don't waste your time fretting over the future.

16. You can never go wrong with pizza

17. Don't wish your years away.  Being young is the most fantastic exciting adventure.

18. Don't ever think that you know everything and it's time to stop learning.

19.  Take risks.

20. If you ever feel unloved and worthless just know you have people who love you.  You're destined for big things.  Never forget your worth.

Forgiveness

Something I've learned about myself is that I am quick to reaction. In situations where hurt feelings are involved...I become a little like Michael Scott.

 I like to think it's just because I'm such a passionate person and I feel emotions so deeply but really I think it's also because I can be stubborn...and obviously my feelings are always right.  Growing up, because of the bullying I experienced as a kid, my feelings were invalidated.  I was basically told by other people's actions that my feelings didn't matter.  As I've grown up and developed a voice I have become fiercely defensive of my feelings.  I want to make sure that my feelings are validated.  I don't think there's anything wrong with that but I have learned that instead of jumping to reaction...I need to sit with my emotions for a little while.  Like a stain you need to soak....otherwise instead of solving the problem...you end up making it worse.  
So then the word forgiveness comes to mind.
I've been thinking a lot about forgiveness lately.
It's easy to look at a situation and see that someone has wronged you, place blame, and then become the "bigger person" by forgiving them.  We've all done it.  However...usually we deserve some of the blame and in my experience...the gift of forgiveness ends up being for us.  By forgiving others we forgive ourselves.  This is a big lesson I've learned in my life but have found a hard time putting it to action.  I used to think forgiveness is magnanimous but really....it's required.
There is a song called "For Blue Skies" by a band Strays Don't Sleep.  Matthew Ryan is the leader of this band and he is a poet.  A guy who uses lyrics and melody like others use words on a page.  To deal with it all.  The heal something inside.  Sometimes...just to tell a story.  The phrase repeated the most in this song is
"I forgive you"
A refrain so simple and gentle and at the same time so powerful and inspiring.  For you and your world.  For me and mine.  "I forgive you".  Add a few solitary piano keys and it becomes heartbreaking.  "I forgive you".  Words we've all needed to hear.  
I believe strongly that forgiveness is circular...not linear.  It does not begin and end.  It is a constant and it's affects are continual.  Forgive someone, heal them, heal yourself.  Rinse and Repeat. 
So many of life lessons we learn as children are basic.  Say "sorry" and forgive.  As we get older situations become more complicated and heartbreak becomes deeper...and it becomes time to change the way we see those lessons.  I'm still learning. And while I am...please forgive me.

This One's For You

To any girl reading this:
I've been thinking about my life and all the lessons I've learned and I thought....if I could share anything I've learned in life...what would it be?  What advice would I give my sisters? It's taken me a lot of heart and hurt to learn the lessons I have on
 1. Friends
 2. Boys
 3. Yourself

Friends.
Who you invest your time into should be willing to invest the same amount of time in you.  You should never feel like less than who you are with your friends. Don't feel like you have to compete with your friends.  If you ever feel like someone isn't supportive of you or they are not happy for your happiness...they are not your friend. You should never feel like who you are isn't accepted with your friends.  Sometimes your friends will be the worst...and sometimes so will you.  Look deeper at people.  Forgive.  Friendship takes so much forgiving and someday you'll need the same forgiveness that you give.

Boys.
A part of me wants to write "boys are dumb" and leave it at that....but you already know that.  I think the main thing I've learned when it comes to boys is that no matter what...they can't define you.  One day you might give your heart to someone who just doesn't know what to do with it.  This will hurt.  This will hurt so much.  It does not mean that someone someday won't see the depth of the love you have and be willing to swim deeper rather than stay on the shore.  One day you might realize that the boy you love isn't the boy you are supposed to love.  That's ok too.  It's ok to say no to something or someone.

Yourself.
Whoever you are is the perfect person to be.  Sometimes you will feel like you're too loud or too quiet.  Sometimes you will feel like your heart could burst with all the love you're capable of sharing.  Sometimes you will feel like your heart could burst with all the love that you feel will never been reciprocated.  Sometimes you will cry or maybe you will never cry.  Sometimes you will be best friends with everyone and sometimes you will need to be alone.
All of this. Every single thing is ok.  It's ok to feel and be all of these things.  Be who you are.  Love yourself and never apologize for what that might be.  Love with everything you have, laugh too loud, dance too much.  Live life on your own terms.  Anybody who is worth having in your life will accept who you are.  Every single part of you.  Don't waste time on those who don't see you and appreciate everything you have to give.

xoxo

V

Lessons I Learned in 2014

I've been reflecting a lot on what I've learned over the last year.  2013 was a tough year for me and I promised myself that in 2014 I would change a lot.  And I learned many important lessons:

• There is no occasion that doesn't call for red lipstick
• You can live without Diet Coke (I know....I know)
• Sometimes you just need to spend an entire day watching terrible movies on Hallmark
• You will not laugh as much with anyone as you do with your family
• It's important to be thrifty and save money...but never buy cheap foundation, sheets, or razors.
• Don't invest time in people who won't do the same for you
• Take a selfie.  Post it.  Who cares what anyone else thinks.
• Window seats and rainy days are the beginnings of a perfect day
• Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures
• People will always make assumptions about you and most of them will be wrong but you don't have to defend yourself to anyone

I think the biggest lesson I learned and change I made was learning to invest in myself.  I'm a firm believer in the fact that we can't really ever be happy until we love ourselves and accept ourselves for who we are.  I don't think we should be complacent because I think we should always be improving ourselves.  This does not mean we will be perfect.  We have flaws....I certainly do.  I love things too much.  I let things hurt me too deeply.  I sing to Taylor Swift songs way too loud.  I look at pictures of sloths too much.
Just to name a few.
But our flaws are what make us who we are.  Because I love things too much I am able to accept other people's flaws, I might get hurt deeply but at least it means I'm sensitive and I care, and if listening to a Taylor Swift song too loud is the worst thing I do...then I think I'm doing ok.
I embraced my flaws this year and changed the things I wanted to change.  I became more confident and comfortable with who I am and mostly....I learned to love myself.  I started becoming a person that I'm proud of.  A person I would want to be friends with.
That is what I would challenge everyone to do.  Get to know yourself.  Embrace who you are.  Change the things you aren't proud of.  Surprisingly.....life becomes so much more beautiful when you do this...I promise.
As for the sloths....I can't defend it...but I probably also won't stop it.
Haters gonna hate.
xoxo
V

28 years

I've been on this earth for 28 years.
                         Weird.
For some reason this birthday made me reflect more than my others.  I'm not entirely sure why.  Maybe it's because I'm closer to 30 than I've ever been before (I'm choking back tears as I type that) and because that makes you think....what have I done with my life and what do I want to accomplish with the rest of my life.  As I reflected I decided to make a list of 28 of the most important lessons I've learned.
1. Your job does not define you
2. Your marital status does not define you

3. Some people are just jerks
4. But some people are just misunderstood
5. Enjoy your time with your parents/family

6. Call your grandparents
7. Listen to them

8. You are the only one who decides how you feel about your body
9. Laughing so hard you can't breathe is still one of the best feelings

10. Your friends will occasionally be the worst...but so will you
11. Forgive always....forgive others, forgive yourself
12. People are not usually secretly in love with you
13. Don't watch "Footloose" just because everyone thinks it's weird you haven't
14. Always take your make up off before bed
15. A strong red lip can make you feel invincible

16. Dance as much as possible
17. Tell people what they mean to you.  Even if it's uncomfortable...you will never regret it.
18. Don't spend your time and energy on people who don't return the gesture
19. If he doesn't text you back....life goes on
20. When you experience loss...it will feel like you are suffocating.  You will not be able to breathe and you will feel like the world is literally caving in.  It is not.  And one day you will wake up and you will be breathing a bit easier.  You will be stronger even if you can't fathom that in the moment.  You will be ok.
21. If it makes you happy and it's not hurting others...do it.
22. Your siblings will always be your best friends

23. Drink water.
24. Don't be afraid to fail
 
25. Wear comfortable shoes
26. The ocean is the most healing place on the earth

27. Go outside and experience the beauty of the earth as much as possible
28. Above everything else....love yourself fiercely.

So here's to 28 years and more to come!  I plan to continue to fill each day with joy and as much adventure as possible.  Life is short.
And sometimes birthdays are hard.

Finding The Good

I don't really know what to title this.  I don't know if I'll even ever give it a title.  Something you may not know about me is I suffer from high anxiety and panic attacks.  My anxiety is daily and yes at times it makes it difficult for me to do the simplest of tasks.  Sometimes I get a weird feeling about an elevator so I can't take it.  I literally grip my seat and don't hardly breathe when in a car in the snow.  Crowded places are really bad for me because I think something bad is going to happen.  I know to people who don't suffer from anxiety, this sounds absolutely mental.  I've experienced these feelings since I was a kid and it's hard to explain the actual feelings.
Last year I had one of the worst anxiety episodes I've ever experienced.
December 14, 2012 one of the most horrific things, I think in the history of the world, happened.
Sandy Hook Elementary.
I don't even think I need to explain further because everyone knows what happened.  Everyone knows what that day was.  I had a very hard time processing what happened there for some reason.  I still to this day don't really know why.  Maybe it's because I have a little brother in elementary school who I love more than anything.  Maybe because I know how losing a child can hurt a family so deeply there are no words in the English language that can define it.  Whatever it was, it put me in a strange tailspin.  I literally could not leave the house.  I didn't want my brother to leave the house.
Right around this time my family planned a trip up to Salt Lake City to go see the lights around Temple Square.  I panicked.  It's my favorite thing in the entire world.  The thing I look forward to most about the Christmas season...and yet I was prepared to miss it.  I couldn't go.  We would take a train and be around all these people and something terrible was sure to happen.  My heart was heavy and my anxiety was incredibly high.  I decided to attempt to go even though I did not want to.
I'm very glad I did.
There was a beautiful peaceful spirit there that I can't even really put into words.  The flag was flying at half mast which was sad but seeing that flag in such a peaceful place for some reason put such peace in my heart.  I knew the love our Savior has for us.  I knew that our Savior was there to welcome those sweet babies home. I was reminded of the Christmas song "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" that says
"And in despair I bowed my head: 'There is no peace on earth,' I said 'For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.' Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth good will to men."
Terrible, evil, heartbreaking, senseless.  Yes, it was all of those things but we can not forget that there is good in the world.  Wonderful, good, heartwarming, perfect love.  After that I felt a lot better.  I know it seems strange that I'm linking these two things together and I didn't mean for this to be a post about me and my anxiety.  These two experiences were just incredibly linked for me.
This is still an event that weighs heavy on my heart.  Just 2 weeks ago I was in the bathroom sobbing thinking about these families who have to remember it everyday.  Especially with the one year anniversary so close.  It should be noted that I am a HIGHLY sympathetic person.  I have experienced things that were so incredibly difficult so I think it makes me more in tune with the struggles of others (although crying while half naked after a shower for seemingly no reason is a low point for me) and then a friend of mine posted this beautiful video on Facebook that I'd like to share with you.

Evil did not win.  Evil never wins.  No matter what you're going through or how hard it seems....you can do it. You are stronger than you could ever imagine.  I promise that you'll get through it and you'll look back and think "dang....I'm amazing".  Life hurts us.  No one is immune.  It may not be to the extent of something like Sandy Hook.  It doesn't have to be to be painful.  Sometimes it's the quiet sadness, loneliness, sneaky pain that you can't even describe that hurts the most.  You can overcome it.  I know you can because I've experienced it too.  Believe in good.  Believe in strength.  Believe in love.  One of my all time favorite quotes comes from the movie "Love Actually" which is definitely one of my all time favorite movies as well.

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport.  General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that.  It seems to me that love is everywhere.  Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.  When the plans hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love.  If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."

And just in remembrance of those who lost their life that day I just want to share one of the most beautiful tributes I saw during that time.



P.S.  If you ever need anyone to talk to....I'm a pretty good listener.  My comment box and email are always open. :)

my life according to my picture phone

So since I really don't have anything special to update you on I thought I would share some pictures that I took recently on my phone.

Pictures from the celebration for my Dad's work...

 The display hanging from the ceiling in the front entry of the museum...it's gorgeous!

 Our dinner was YUM

Dessert bar...served mini chocolate chip cookies with a shot of chocolate milk.  Adorbs right???

 Some more of the dessert bar....with open flames!

I was clearly obsessed with this display...

 Floral arrangements with Runts?  Yes.

One of the exhibits....Human Rights Photographers...it was a BEAUTIFUL and at times heartbreaking exhibit.  

I also took some hipster "Instagram" photos....

Me with my friends Maggie and Jenna at our friend Morgan's baby shower

 My dog...Colt

I wore milkmaid braids...it was a weird day

I'm clearly very mature and classy

So that's what's been going on in my life lately.  

Also I'm curious to know if you guys have a favorite post or something on the blog you like/don't like?  My comment section is open to suggestion and high fives.  Let me know!!!

xoxo

Transformation

Sometimes I'll take a nap.

You know when you take a nap during the day and you fall asleep looking like this...

and you wake up looking like this....

Usually how that works out for me.

*the person who can name who that is on the bottom gets a prize (no Googling allowed...and I know you 5 people who read my blog and I'll know if you cheated)

mother of all sarcasm

I've learned many things from being the oldest in the family.  Especially from having a sibling who could technically be my child (if I were on an MTV show).  One thing I have most definitely learned from spending so much time watching, bathing, tucking into bed etc of my little brother is...I will make one horribly sarcastic mother.
I can already hear myself using the line "Oh really? And if so and so decided to jump off a bridge and let his brains splatter all over the concrete would you do that too?"
And my kids would be like "Woah Mom not only are you grossing us out but your use of sarcasm is really going to be detrimental to our future emotional well being".
And then I'd say "Well go find a Mom who cares".
My kids are going to be awesome.

And for this real life conversation I had with my brother:
Bub: "Well I want to go to only 3 classes"
Me: "Well do you know what I want?  I want money to rain from the sky but that's not going to happen"

Honestly even my impromptu puppet shows I put on for my brother include some sort of stuffed animal with borderline personality disorder.  We have the sock monkey Lucy who has a severe superiority complex which really plays a role in her relationship with her sock monkey boyfriend Iggy who has an inferiority complex because his parents emphasized all of the shortcomings and mistakes he made before the age of six (which obviously results in him repeating this pattern in his romantic relationships to try to gain acceptance).  We also have Rex who has body dysmorphic disorder which stemmed from the fact that he had an abnormal amount of orange fur covering his entire body (which was greatly looked down upon by the rest of the Dr. Suess community). And of course George the bear who has stitches in his neck after a gang fight went bad.
And Harold.  The monkey.  Who (I'm sad to say) suffers from not only schizophrenia but also OCD, ADHD, and Swine Flu (it's been a rough year for him)

To Bub in the future: I am terribly sorry and yes I will be more than happy to pay for your therapy.

Life Lessons

Things I have learned in my 21 years of life...
(the abridged version)

1. Diet Coke really is the most wonderful thing ever developed by human hands.

2. Sometimes playing stupid works.
Example: Saying to your significant other "No babe I have NO idea why there is a text message from (insert hot ex name here) on my phone! How did that happen???"
(Because let's face it...we all love to be adored by ANYONE who is texting us..doesn't matter who it is.)

3. An illness does not exist unless a celebrity cares about it too
This also applies to all inhumane things happening in other countries. It's a little known fact but Genocide wasn't happening in Darfur until George Clooney cared about it.

4. Do NOT go through the self check out lines at the grocery store between the hours of 9-11am.
Old people= you standing with your groceries for 15 minutes while they get all their coupons scanned.

5. Getting your hair highlighted really can change your day.

6. ALWAYS moisturize
...and I'm serious about this one. Someone I know (me) went through I terrible case of dry flaky skin on her (my) face and trying to put make up on dry skin is just disgusting.

7. Good excuses to use when your Dad gets mad because you've TiVo'd too many "vapid and shallow"* shows and he can't record his "oh so important and life lesson involving" crime shows are...
1.) But Dad...they are showing me how NOT to be
2.) I'm going into the medical field so Grey's Anatomy is actually more of a tutorial
3.) If I don't watch them then I won't be able to talk to other people about them and then I'll look like a boring loser and I'll have no friends and I'll never get married and then I'll live with you forever (this one works pretty good)
*Vapid and shallow shows include but are not limited to: "The Hills", "Beverly Hills 90210", "One Tree Hill" (pretty much all shows with the word hill in it), "Grey's Anatomy", "Gossip Girl" etc...

8.) If all else fails...cry
This works 94% of the time.

I'm sure I'll learn more and I live more life...but this is just a start. I'll keep you updated so that you can learn these important lessons with me.