Lessons at 26 Years.

I am now almost closer to being a 30 year old than I am to being a 20 year old.

What. The. Heck.

That’s right, I’m turning 26 years old. I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. Last I knew, I was just turning 13 years old and learning how to talk with boys or 16 years old and learning how to drive a car…. Oh heck, who am I kidding, I’m still learning how to do both of those things….

Anyways! Regardless, I am happy to say that I believe that up to this point in my life, I have been very blessed with a pretty amazing life (Thank you, Jesus). I grew up in a loving home, had a great experience in high school, graduated college and have found my calling, and now I am here, going into my third year of working in the professional field and boy have I learned a TON.

I wrote a blog post about this time two years ago stating what are some of the lessons that I have learned in my 24 years of life. I got some great responses and feedback from people when I posted that blog up, which I’m thankful for. But, I have learned many more lessons just in the last 2 years. So the following lessons that I have learned are things that I personally have experienced and felt that have helped me grow in many ways.

1. Always carry a snack. My dear friend Shanna from college has given me a nickname that has stuck to this day: "Jennzilla". This name came about because she got to witness how I was when I was hungry. I get irritable, moody, and snappy. I now live my daily life either in the office, in someone’s home, or in the car and boy do I get hungry. I carry a snack or fruit with me wherever I go so that I can avoid “Jennzilla” revealing herself on the road in the middle of traffic. So just carry a snack with you wherever you go because you never know when that time will come where your hunger strikes up. Plus, it gets you in a healthy eating habit. Smaller portions, ya'll... smaller portions.
2. It’s healthy to be out of your comfort zone. I have discovered that about myself in the last two years that I don’t like to be in a “comfortable” state for too long. When there is too much comfort and familiarity, there is no growth. That is where I believe my love for traveling and meeting new people rooted from. When you are introducing yourself to new situations, scenarios, environment, or people, GROWTH TAKES PLACE.
3. Be content with WHERE you are before you decide to make a change hoping that you will be happier because of it. I believe to know the Bible to be truth because dang-a-lang, there is some good and juicy stuff in there. And the concept of being “content” is definitely one of them (Refer to Phil. 4:11-12). Last year some time, I called my brother in tears because I told him that I was unhappy with my current situation. I was unhappy that I was living in a town that was only temporary for me, I was unhappy that there was no change going on in my life, and I was unhappy with my job. My brother snapped me back to reality and said, “Stop your pity party. You have a sweet life. Learn to be content with where you are in life and opportunity will come. Stop trying to run away. If you say you are ‘unhappy’, then you will become more unhappy. STOP IT.” So I did! Last summer, my project was to focus on the blessings in my life and learn to be content where I was in life and the person that I was becoming. When you are in a state of contentment, your goals and ambitions that you have for yourself become more achievable and growth happens. Lesson learned: Learn to be content and opportunity for great things will come. 
4. Be positive! People see and feed off of it. I believe that Jesus was the best example of that. He had every excuse to be negative and reject those that rejected Him. Instead, He took on that challenge…with a smile. Make a conscience effort to be positive. Others will sense that energy and feed off of it. Just be happy, dangit.
5. In traffic, look both ways before crossing a street intersection EVEN WHEN THE LIGHT IS GREEN. If you are the first one at the street intersection and the light goes green, look both ways before crossing. You never know what idiot is going to run that red light. I have friends that almost died because they didn’t look both ways before crossing and someone ran into their car because the “light was orange”. Just look. Doesn’t cost you anything.
6. GO ON DATES. Meet new people! Don’t think too much about it. Especially you ladies… yes, that’s right… YOU LADIES. When a man asks you out for a date, realize that this man has put himself in a very vulnerable situation to ask a question knowing that there is a chance of rejection. Of course, there are exceptions to every situation. But in general, give the guy some credit. He has offered to get to know you, buy you some food, and talk. You never know, you may just develop a positive friendship out of it. Don’t humiliate him. Don’t shame him. Thank him, acknowledge that he wants to do something nice for you, and go. Get over yourself, girl and go on a date.
7. When you DO say yes on that date….. Be nice. Say thank you. Be polite. Make eye contact when you’re talking. Don’t text. Be down for adventure. And thank him again. He rocks for wanting to hang out with you, acknowledge that. Unless he was a dirt bag, then refer him to me and I’ll take care of him.
8. Develop friendships with people you can talk to Jesus about. This lesson is applicable to those that have grown up in a faith-based church at some point in their lives that have decided to continue living a faith-based life. During our 20’s, this is the age where we develop our own “ways of thinking” and suddenly decide that whatever we learned in church, we can throw out the window. So this is the age where twenty-somethings decide that having friends from church or friends that you can talk to Jesus about is not important, but it is. When we enter “real life”, this is when it is most important and vital to have positive friendships in your life so that you have someone to talk to and reflect with when it comes to trials. If you are a Jesus believer, make sure that those you keep closest to you have those same values. It makes all the difference. Be-leeee dat.
9. Maintain a friendship with your mom and dad. I work with kids that have never fully developed a positive relationship with their parents. Working in the foster care system has helped me appreciate my parents so much more because of that. Thank your parents for taking the time to raise you and care for you.
10. Eat a donut, dangit. Or whatever tickles your fancy. My personal favorite dessert pastry is a donut. Eating a dessert or something that is absolutely horrible for you once in a while will do more good than bad. If you feel like eating a cookie because you had a bad day, do it. Unless you're on a diet. Then just chew a piece of gum.
11. Have a mentor. Or two. Or three. In the last 2 years, I have made friendships with people that are significantly older and more experienced than me. But it has benefitted me in so many ways! It is so important to have people in your life that you can rely that have your best interest at heart and that have gone down the same path as you at some point. Make a conscience effort to find an adult or two that can be that person you come to for advice on career or life changes.
12. You are never too old to respect your parents. I myself have fallen short of that... even now. Sorry, mom. I love you.
13. Accept feedback. Recently, my previous employer stated that something he appreciated about having me as a worker is that I seek him out for feedback and his input on my performance at work. I go about a difficult situation the way I think is best, then the next day, I approach him and tell him how I went about it and why. I then ask if he has any feedback for me for the future. Same goes to anyone. If someone approaches you that you trust and expresses themselves to you about something you did (or didn’t do), hear them out. You don’t know it all. So get over yourself.
14. Rely on God and everything will fall into place. No explanation needed.

I am so thankful for the 26 years of life that the Lord has blessed me with. I have loved, learned, lived, cried, laughed, and put myself in college loan debt all in those 26 years of life. I am ready for many more years to come.

Now who is up for a celebratory donut?