46 Years of Life Lessons // M-Note 9.1.23

Today is my 46th birthday, and in honor of another trip around the sun, I thought I would share 46 lessons learned thus far in life. Enjoy, and I hope to see you this weekend.
 
1. Eat dessert first.
2. Run towards something, not away.
3. When something is hard, you’re on the cusp of a breakthrough.
4. Feelings are too fickle to follow.
5. The key to happiness is good relationships.
6. Don’t take good parents for granted.
7. Stop trying to control things and use the energy elsewhere.
8. It’s rarely about you.
9. People are icebergs. You never know how much is going on underneath the surface.
10.  Have hard conversations. They are worth it.
11.  Say you are sorry more authentically and frequently.
12.  Find time each day to be outside.
13.  The single best thing you can do to care for yourself is take a sabbath day once a week.
14.  The sooner you stop making excuses, the sooner you can begin to do something new.
15.  Change is always possible.
16.  Find joy in the moment.
17.  There is freedom in being vulnerable.
18.  Most people aren’t paying as much attention to you as you think they are.
19.  Create a life you don’t want to escape from.
20.  Gratitude is like spiritual penicillin. It solves an array of problems.
21.  There is nothing more powerful than being comfortable in your own skin.
22.  Our bodies are a gift, treat them as such.
23.  The Schnucks brand is just as good.
24.  A well-cared for Honda Fit will last a loooong time.
25.  Always be learning.
26.  You adopt the attitudes of the people you hang out with the most. Choose wisely.
27.  Good shoes are worth it.
28.  God is always working, especially when you can’t see it.
29.  Everyone has something. You are not alone.
30.  Splurge on the things that matter, skimp on the things that don’t.
31.  Always leave room for people to change.
32.  Character matters.
33.  Don’t listen to haters.
34.  Spend less time on social media.
35.  When you are stuck, change your rhythm.
36.  Write a handwritten note to someone. You’d be surprised by the difference it makes.
37.  Adults aren't that different than kids.
38.  Don't be afraid to speak up and claim your space.
39.  Important people are just people.
40.  Do what is right and you won’t regret it.
41.  It is ok to not have it all together.
42.  Comparison is the enemy of joy.
43.  God made you, and God doesn’t make mistakes.
44.  Create and keep habits for the things you care about .
45.  Find people who are traveling the same direction as you.
46.  Strawberry box cake is the best cake.
 
I hope you all have a fabulous holiday weekend. I will be preaching this weekend and I would love to see you in church!
 
Peace,
Matt

P.S. Don't forget CoreGroups start September 10!  Look in The Gathering App under Groups or on our website to find one that's right for you. If you need help, reach out to your site pastor or Charity Goodwin, Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Groups. I also heard we just need a few more Literacy Project volunteers to meet our goal for the year! You can sign up here.