43 Years....

Hello Ladies!

Oh how very true this little quote is!

Over the weekend I celebrated turning 43...yup 43....I can remember a time when I thought 40 was SO OLD....yeah not so much anymore!  

It is so true what they say, time flies, and I find the older I get, the quicker it seems to go.  I have talked before, numerous times, about how truly grateful that I am each and every day, and it's not something I just say because it sounds good...it really is the truth.  My life is FAR from perfect, and I have definitely had my fair share of struggles and really hard times, but even during the toughest times I have always remained grateful, grateful just to be here, grateful to be surrounded by amazing people.  

So since I just turned 43, I thought I would take some time today and share with you guys some of the things that I have learned over my 43 years here......

It's so easy for us to get down on ourselves, especially with so much social media.  It is very easy to start comparing yourself to others, and you can quickly start feeling really bad about yourself.  I have learned that being true to yourself and who you are is always the best way to go.  I admit, I have definitely been guilty of this, but now I don't compare myself to anyone, I don't want to be like anyone, I am quite happy just being me.  

Perfection doesn't exist!  After years of trying to be the perfect wife, the perfect mother, perfect friend, perfect daughter, I realized perfection simply doesn't exist.  I know I will never be perfect, so I just wake up each day and try and be the best I can, and for me, that's perfect.

It's OK to just say no.  In my early years of being a mother "NO" simply wasn't in my vocabulary.  I over extended myself all the time, and it sucked.  I felt like I was a stay at home mom, so I needed to be doing all the things, and always saying yes.  It took YEARS....but now I am totally fine with just saying no....I am still involved with my children and school, but I know I don't have to chair every single committee and run every single class party.  Years ago my guilt over saying no would have been huge, but not anymore.  

Others opinions just don't matter.  It is hard to not feel down when someone is mean or negative towards you, but I have learned that other's opinions just don't mean a darn thing.  Sure it would be great if everyone liked me, but it's ok, and I don't care if they don't.  I have come to the harsh realization that some people are just mean, they can't help it, and some people can only feel good about themselves if they are tearing someone else down.  I have no room in my life for toxic people.  

Never ever take a single thing for granted.  This should be a no brainer, but I think sometimes we all are a little guilty of it.  I think we all just assume "tomorrow" will be for us, and I have learned that nothing in life is guaranteed.  So I really try to make sure, especially my husband and kids, know every single day how much they mean to me and how very much I love them.  

Always go with your gut...ALWAYS.  Over the last few years I have learned this to be 100% true for me.  I think we all want to see the good in everyone, but 9 times out of 10 if your gut is telling you something is off...it usually is. 

Acknowledge and appreciate how good you have it.  This is another one that can be TOUGH, and has taken me years to "get".  I don't know about you, but I have definitely been guilty of always wanting more, and though there are always going to be things that I want, I am also so appreciative of all that I do have, and I know how lucky and blessed I am.  I certainly don't have everything, but I have so much more than so many others, and I am so thankful for the things that I have and more importantly the amazing people that I get to share my life with.

Live without regret.  I try and go through life with zero regrets.  Sure, I have made mistakes in my life, I have done things I am not proud of, but I have tried to really learn from all the mistakes I have made.  And going through some of those really tough times, has made me into the person I am today. I am definitely stronger because of it, and I try and walk away not with regret, but learning something.  

I think the most important thing I have learned so far in my life is to NEVER EVER SETTLE....NEVER!!  I think a lot of times we get comfortable in life, and even though maybe we aren't 100% happy, we stay in a relationship, job, whatever because change scares us, the unknown is scary, so we settle.  I have learned first hand that the biggest risks bring the greatest rewards.  

I know it sounds so cliche, but every year on my birthday I am truly grateful for another year...I totally agree that growing older is a privilege denied to way too many.  Though the grey hairs, fine lines and wrinkles I could totally do without, I am so thankful for all the wisdom and knowledge I have gained in my older years.  

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

xoxo,

Kimm