Friday, November 7, 2008

I Have Learned

"Cha-ee pay in da yeaves"


Today is my 28th birthday. It is 5:30am in the morning and I feel the same anticipation and excitement as I do Christmas morning. I feel this way every year on my birthday. I am always sad to hear people say, "Oh well, it's just another day"... because your birthday is what you make of it!! I am a firm believer in doing all you can to celebrate your big day, whether that means sending yourself a bouquet of flowers at your work desk or taking a birthday walk JUST for you, where you can pretend that all the birds are planning a surprise party with fancy flight formations and the ants are collecting every granule of dirt leftover after the snow to make you a most delicious mud pie. If we expect to be showered with extravagant gifts and parties, we are only setting ourselves up for disappointment. BUT, if you simply take pleasure in the little things, you can turn a very ordinary day into something EXTRAORDINARY! Remember,


"Today You are You
That is Truer Than True!
There is No One Alive
Who is YOU-ER Than YOU!"

-Dr. Seuss


Now, there's something to celebrate!!


My mother has always lived by the motto,


"Life is not always what you want, but it's all that you have,
so I say HAVE IT!,
Stick a geranium in your hat and BE HAPPY!


So today looking back on my past 28 years, I have learned many things, five things in particular. I have learned that:


1. We cannot take life too literally...but rather we need to keep our eternal perspective in focus and remember that this life is only temporary. We are on heavenly surveillance 24-7, as our Heavenly Father is watching how we react to our earthly trials and daily situations placed before us. Humility is key. We are simply away at school, working on our Ph.D.'s...Prayer, Happiness and Dedication.



2. It does absolutely nothing to think ill of another person. All it does is strip you of the energy you could be investing in finding something good about that person....and once again, "Smile! You are on heavenly surveillance!"



3. You are never too old to lean on your parents. Oftentimes, I feel like a 13 year old girl in a 28 year old body! I think to myself, "What am I doing?!? I don't have the slightest clue how to do this?!" But they did it, so I guess I can too.:-)



4. There is nothing on this earth that can adequately measure up to the unconditional love you feel for your children. My cousin, Marilyn Williams told me shortly before Charly was born, "To have a child is to consent to having your heart walk outside your body for the rest of your life"



5. Life is too short. We simply MUST embrace every moment we have here; to learn and to grow, to teach others through our experiences and learn from others' experiences, to be steadfast and true to what we believe. Look around and find joy in the little things! Be grateful for what you DO have! If our home is sufficiently stocked with Toilet paper, Tide, and Tasteful Treats, well then, what more could we possibly need?! We are Together, and that's all that matters. We only have one shot at this journey...we might as well live it up!!



So, if I may, for my birthday this year, I would love for you to share with me what YOU have learned! Truly the greatest gift to me is having each of YOU!!! Thank you, for blessing my life!

12 comments:

Kim and Ken Carlile said...

Happy Happy Birthday Kristin!! I have learned that in life, you must love yourself in order to love others and be happy. It doesn't pay to worry what others think or how others percieve you. If you are happy and at peace with your life, than that is what really matters, not if the neighbors think you are wierd for pretending the birds are planning you a birthday party :-)

Rachel said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTIN!! I absolutely LOVED your post. What great things to remember. And what a great way to look at your birthday. I always love reading your posts. You always have such a way of saying things. And you are a great example. I wish you a very happy birthday and that you have a terrific day!

Ashley Rae said...

Like I've said before- you are probably the sweetest person I know. And now add optimistic to that. Thanks for posting this- it totally brightens up my day. My bday is next week, and I now have a completely different perspective on it. I will carpe diem! :)

Matt and Camille Tanner said...

Happy Happy Birthday. You are one year older and wiser too! I tried to email you while I was at work, but I couldn't find your email address! I hope you have had a wonderful day and you will have a wonderful night too. You deserve it!

Julie said...

Happy Birthday!
We had so much fun with you guys today!! I hope you have fun tonight doing whatever Jordan has planned!! I love you and am lucky to have you for my baby sis!

jaclyn anderson said...

Happy Birthday Kristin! I just hope you know how wonderful you are! You are truly so great and I feel blessed to have you as my friend!

Rachelle said...

Whenever I read something that I know is true I get kind of a chill down my spine. I got that chill 5 times while reading your list. (one for each #) It's things that we've been told and ought to know, but somehow you have to learn them for yourself. For my part - I've learned that there is always always something more to a person than you think and learning to accept a person exactly for who they are is a tremendous struggle and a blessing in life. I hope your day was fabulous.

LittleFamilyJL said...

Kristin, I love you! Happy Birthday!

I've learned that some friendships are eternal.....even if you haven't seen each other or talked in person for a couple years..... Whenever I read your blog, I am reminded of how amazing you are and how glad I am that we got to become friends!

Montoya's said...

Happy Birthday again. You are so positive. I love your outlook on life. Such a great example.

Lisa and DJ said...

Kristin, I am freaking out that you found my blog! I've had so much fun looking here at your cute family. Isn't blogging the best? Hope you had a happy, happy birthday!!

Jess said...

One thing I've learned from you is to surround yourself with good people! Your sweetness and optimism always brighten my day!

The Fergy Bunch said...

Ijust thought I would write you and lef you know I just started a blog and I have always loved your blog. I sometimes just bring up your page just to listen to the music as I do other things.