40 Things I’ve Learned in 40 Years (in no particular order)

1.       Family is the most important thing.

2.       Good friends are hard to come by so keep the ones you’ve got.

3.       Books are the best entertainment.

4.       Kids are hard work.

5.       But kids are also unbelievably amazing.

6.       Unexpected gifts are usually the best ones.

7.       Chocolate chip cookies will cure almost everything.

8.       Being sick is never any fun but having sick kids is worse.

9.       Traveling by train is better than traveling by car or plane.

10.   Amazon has everything.  (Some recent things I’ve ordered: a mermaid tail, a coloring book designed for adults, books for homeschooling, prenatal vitamins, Kind bars, and extra bottles for my Sodastream machine.)

11.   Music is nice but sometimes silence is just better.

12.   Prayers do get answered.

13.   A good nap always makes you feel better.

14.   There is almost never just one right way to do something.

15.   It is better to have integrity than to have money.

16.   Be yourself.

17.   No one else really cares about what you’re wearing so wear whatever you want (except maybe don’t take style cues from peopleofwalmart.com).

18.   Sometimes you just need to color.

19.   Always carry a water bottle because someone will be thirsty.

20.   Depression sucks.

21.   Completely clearing your email inbox can be a major accomplishment so feel proud of yourself.

22.   Be honest.

23.   Wear comfortable shoes.

24.   I really don’t like raisins.

25.   Black and white photographs are more interesting than color photographs.

26.   You are good enough.

27.   Taking a walk does clear your head.

28.   Making your bed in the morning isn’t really that hard (but I still don’t do it very often).

29.   Memories are better than things.

30.   Sometimes you just need to binge watch a good TV show (or even a bad one).

31.   You can choose to be happy but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do.

32.   It’s good to follow your dreams because you never know where they might lead you.

33.   Travel is good for the soul.

34.   Being near the water is relaxing.

35.   Splurge on a good mattress.

36.   Say thank you.

37.   Be kind.

38.   Don’t waste your time with negative people.

39.   Math is fun.

40.   Laughter is the best medicine so be silly.