( ♥)
“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically.
We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly.
We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another.
The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present.
We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.”
Anais Nin
Happy birthday to me! Today I turn a ripe old age of 27 and, as much as I'm not thrilled to be inching toward thirty, I'm pretty excited to look back on the past year and reflect on what an amazing, positive experience it was. There were, as there always will be, some tough times, but over all, I'd have to say that my 27th year was pretty darn awesome. One of the reasons it was so awesome is because I learned so much about life. Every year I learn more and more and, in my opinion, that's one of the best highs life has to offer -- looking back and realizing just how far you've come because of all that you've learned. I could spend hours and hours writing about this year and all of the ups and downs it's brought, but today I've narrowed the post down to 27 lessons I learned during my 27th year. With each of these lessons listed, I've linked to a post that will show you exactly when I was learning that lesson.
This Year, I've Learned...
... when love is real, when the person is right, you really do just know.
... sometimes you have to let go of what you know and face the unknown.
... letting people in and opening up to them can be surprisingly rewarding.
... if you really, really want something, you have to take action.
... you are usually quite a bit braver than you think you are.
... if you screw up, you have the power to proactively make the present better.
... you always know, deep down in your heart, what you really want.
... the people you want in your life aren't always the ones you need in your life.
... it is never, ever too late to reclaim your muchness.
... whatever you focus on in your life, that's what you'll get more of.
... being positive is really hard sometimes, but it's always worth it in the end.
... you have to know what you want and go after it because no one else will.
... the support of other people is amazingly, astoundingly invaluable.
... moments you fear the most are often the least likely to be worthy of fear.
... sometimes you just have to be your own hero.
... when you love, you must not forget to love yourself.
... no matter how hard it seems, you can let go of your past.
... the future can have some huge surprises in store for you.
... living your life your way is important (even if other people don't understand it).
... you can continue to love others without liking their choices.
... everyone -- even you! -- deserves to experience happiness.
... you will learn more from other people than you ever thought possible.
... the person you were can become only a fraction of what you are.
... if you are unhappy with something in your life, you can change it.
... inspiration is everywhere, but you will only find it if you're looking.
... the present moment really is all you have; experience it wisely.
As I clicked through the posts I wrote over the past year, I reflected on how far I've come since my 26th birthday. So much has happened over the past twelve months. So much has changed, but, in many ways, so much of the good in my life has remained. The past year has taught me a great deal about myself and about the world around me. Every day I'm learning more and more about the person I am and the person I want to be. Every day I'm striving to live a life that is both positive and present. It isn't always easy, but every effort I make ends of being worth it. Thank you all for continuing to read the posts I write and for following me as I embark on another year of my life. I'm not sure how or why, but I somehow already know that this year will be an amazing one...
This post will be featured in a segment on fellow blogger Abubakar Jamil's "Life Lessons Series". This year, as you can tell from this post, I've learned a great deal about life, and I'm hoping that, by participating in Abubakar's awesome series of posts featuring life lessons from other bloggers, I'll be able to spread the word of what I've learned even further. If you have a few minutes today, stop by Abubakar's site and check out all of the great life lessons in the series.
Happy Birthday Dani!!!
What a wonderful year for YOU...filled with so many amazing moments...and beautiful lessons!
This coming year with shine much more goodness and light in your life, and the thing is...you will also continue to shine your own light out into the world. And what a lovely and wonderfully bright light that is!!
Enjoy your day today...and may this next year be one that is filled with amazing moments!
Posted by: Lance | August 23, 2010 at 06:40 AM
Hey Dani...
Happy Birthday. And I wish the very best for next year..
Posted by: Athena | August 23, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Lance - Thank you so much! It was absolutely a wonderful year -- filled with great ups and downs! -- and I'm happy I have been able to share my experiences on Positively Present. Thank you for the birthday wishes! :)
Athena - Thanks so much! I really do appreciate the "Happy Birthday" wishes!
Posted by: positively present | August 23, 2010 at 07:59 AM
Happy Birthday! Great post
Posted by: Jennifer | August 23, 2010 at 08:47 AM
Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful lessons with the world. Always have enjoyed reading your blog :)
Happy birthday! :)
Posted by: Vin | August 23, 2010 at 09:48 AM
Jennifer - Thank you! I'm glad you liked this post!
Vin - You're welcome! Thank you so much for reading Positively Present!
Posted by: positively present | August 23, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Ah yes another 1983, summer baby. We're the best. I just turned 27 on the 21st of July. And just like you I feel like I learned so much about myself and life in just the past year!
Whenever you feel a little "off" just look at this list and remind yourself how amazing, strong and bee you tee ful you are!
HAPPY BDAY!
-Laurie
highhopeshighheels.blogspot.com
Posted by: Laurie | August 23, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Happy Birthday, Dani! Don't worry about getting older. I just turned forty and for the last five years I was suspicious that it would be the death-knell. In actual fact, it's amazing. It's easier (for me, at least) to be in the present and to understand my own uniqueness and power as I get older. I also enjoy and understand other people more than ever before. Age is wisdom! Enjoy! I hope the 28th is also amazing for you! :)
Posted by: Stephanie | August 23, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Happy Birthday!
I love your list and have had a transformative year, too. So many of your life lessons resonate with mine. With having come so far, it's natural to see the next year and the next as chances to go even further and experience so much more true joy.
Thanks so much for sharing. :)
Posted by: Jules | August 23, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Laurie - Happy belated birthday to you as well! Summer of '83 is pretty sweet. ;) Great idea to reflect back on this post to remind myself how far I've come and how much I've learned. I'll definitely do that!
Stephanie - Thank you! I definitely feel that the older I get, the happier I am and the more comfortable I am with my life and you've inspired me to keep believing in that with your comment. Thanks!
Jules - Thanks so much! Great to hear that you also had a transformative year as well... It's so wonderful to experience life that way and it makes me happy to hear that you can relate to what I've learned this year. Thanks for reading and commenting! :)
Posted by: positively present | August 23, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Neva Flores | August 23, 2010 at 06:36 PM
What a great post! Intelligently put with a calming effect. Thank you and Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Derrick | August 23, 2010 at 07:05 PM
There is much wisdom here -- and all at only 27? Wow!
Happy birthday, Dani! I wish you many, many positively present mometns in the coming year!
Posted by: Belinda Munoz | August 23, 2010 at 07:22 PM
This post was WOW. Sincere. Genuine. Passionate. Gratifying. Strong. And...well i don't want to flatter you any more.lols. Kidding.. But really a sincerely great post.
What we focus on is what we always get. So we should always focus on positive things in our lives. Always. And Never look at the bad, only the good. Fill our lives with spontaneity. Focus on the good and more good will come.
Posted by: jonathanfigaro | August 23, 2010 at 08:04 PM
Neva - Thank you!
Derrick - Thank so much for the compliments on the post. I'm so glad you liked it! And thanks for the birthday wishes too!
Belinda - Thanks so much! I've learned a great deal over the last year and every day I'm learning more and more!
Jonathan - So glad you enjoyed this post! You've added some great words of wisdom in your comment too so thanks for that!
Posted by: positively present | August 24, 2010 at 07:19 AM
Ok...I'm going to try this again (some how my comment didn't post as I thought it said it did).
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!! I will second Belinda's comment of...Wow..so much wisdom at 27!!! I hope this year and all the others continue to get better for you...and I have no doubt they will. I can only imagine how great the path will be for someone who has shared so much of themselves, and has shown what it means to be of great character.
Keep on Rocking Dani! (psst...don't be afraid of 30 - it only gets better from there!)
Posted by: Saggleo | August 24, 2010 at 10:42 PM
certainly those are powerful lessons
thanks for sharing them with us :)
Posted by: Farouk | August 25, 2010 at 04:39 AM
Saggleo - Sorry the post didn't take the first time. PP can be finicky sometimes! Thanks so much for coming back and posting the birthday wishes! It's always so nice to get a few happy b-days after the bid day. Your comment is so full of support and encouragement and I really appreciate that! I'm going to keep on rocking for sure!
Farouk - You're welcome! I'm so happy that I have a place where I can share my experiences because I certainly had a lot of them this year. Thanks for the comment!
Posted by: positively present | August 25, 2010 at 07:12 AM
27 is a great age, but I say that about every age so far. :) I agree with you being positive can be tough, especially when we grew up in a complaining culture. I talked to my mom this morning and she complained the whole time. I know where I get it from. Since I've started my blog I've put myself on a complaining diet and I feel so much happier.
Posted by: Karl Staib - Work Happy Now | August 25, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Karl - Thanks! You've made me happy to be 27! :) A complaining diet sounds like a good idea... I like that!
Posted by: positively present | August 25, 2010 at 05:41 PM
Happy birthday Dani!
I used to hate getting older, but you know what? Other than a few aches and pains getting older isn't so bad. You are so much more mature and wise. I feel so much more in control of my world now (49) than I did when I was 27.
Posted by: Stephen - Rat Race Trap | August 25, 2010 at 07:40 PM
Happy Birthday Dani !
Posted by: Rocky | R O C K O N O V A . COM | August 25, 2010 at 08:59 PM
Hope your coming year brings just as much joy and wisdom your way. :)
Posted by: Clearly Composed | August 25, 2010 at 10:29 PM
Stephen - Thank you! I've definitely learned so much over the past few years and I think it's a good sign that things will only get better as I get older. Thanks for that bit of inspiration!
Rocky - Thank you!!
CC - Thanks so much. I hope so too!
Posted by: positively present | August 26, 2010 at 07:06 AM
Dani,
Thank you so much for learning so much and sharing with us. It's a lovely contribution to the Life Lessons Series. Welcome to the club. :)
Posted by: Abubakar Jamil | August 26, 2010 at 08:42 AM
Abubakar - No problem! I'm glad I could contribute because I've certainly learned a lot this year!
Posted by: positively present | August 27, 2010 at 06:51 AM
Dani, I hope that you had a great birthday. I wish you many good wishes. Your blog continues to inspire. Thanks for all that you share here.
Posted by: Syd | August 30, 2010 at 10:17 PM
Syd - Thank you! My birthday was lovely. Thank you so much for the good wishes and the comments about Positively Present. It's my passion so it makes me so happy to hear that it's inspiring! :)
Posted by: positively present | August 31, 2010 at 06:58 AM
Sorry I missed your birthday Dani! Hope you had an amazing day. Your words continue to inspire me, long may it continue and thank you for sharing your thoughts and lessons with us xx
Posted by: green ink | September 10, 2010 at 07:37 AM
Green Ink - No worries! My day was definitely a great one... I did everything I love to do! I'm so glad you find my posts inspiring. Thank you so much for being a loyal reader!!
Posted by: positively present | September 11, 2010 at 07:35 AM