19 Things I've Learned in 19 Years

As my nineteenth birthday came up on the nineteenth, I thought it would be the perfect time to reflect on the past nineteen years. It's been one hell of a ride, here are 19 things I've learned in 19 years.

1. If it makes you nervous, chances are, its worth doing
2. Surround yourself with people who bring you up, and inspire you
3. A compliment can go a long way
4. Speak up, your opinion is always valid
5. Spending time with family is worth every second
6. Take time for yourself, you have as much time as you need to heal
7. If you're passionate, no one is stopping you, and there is no set path
8. Never compare yourself to others
9. Feelings are always involved, stray from those who lack good intentions
10. Respect yourself, you are not obligated to say yes every time
11. Keep things in perspective, will it effect you a week from now? A month? A year?
12. Save money for experiences
13. Take time to appreciate the little things, and to listen to the rain
14. If no effort is reciprocated, it's not worth your time
15. Spend time with nature, look up at the sky because the world is a lot bigger than our small circles
16. Choices are important, but they usually aren't perminant
17. As much as you want to sleep in, watch the sunrise once and while
18. As stressed as you are, pushing through will be as satisfying afterwords as running a marathon
19. Don't forget about the people who guided you, inspired you, and taught you; they can always be a helpful hand in your life