Life Lessons

We have lived on our own in the desert oasis of Las Vegas since we got married in 2002. For the most part, it has been great. We really had to muddle through some rough times together, with nowhere to 'run'. What we learned from that experience is multi-faceted. Suffice it to say that we have figured a few things out.

1) Family is like a wishing stone in your pocket: always there, but not really appreciated until you take the time to notice it and rely on it.

2) Distance does make the heart grow fonder, but it's the 'in-your-face' moments that really define a relationship.

3) Life is full of twists and turns and you better be prepared for a wild ride. There is no such thing as predictable. Things you didn't think you could live without are sometimes the last things you miss in the end.

4) NOTHING is permanent. Pain is an inevitability in this life, but God made no promises when he made this world. We have to work through the good and the difficult and come out the better for it. When you think you can't get through another minute, turn your eyes to heaven and remember that He loves you and only wants the very best for you. That 'best' may not be in thie life, but the next, so keep your chin up and keep the faith.

5) Spend your time worrying about others and you won't notice all of the little things that are going wrong in your own life. It's true: someone really does have it worse than you.

6) Be thankful for what you do have, because you never know when it may all be taken from you. God does not make mistakes. Everything in your life is there for a reason. Think about it.

7) Our families are a support beam in our foundation. Families can be more than just parents or siblings. They can consist of extended family members, friends, or even an entire island community (like in our case). You DO NOT know who you are unless you know where you are coming from.

8) Don't be so quick to use your tongue. Hurtful words can often be worse than actions. If someone is loyal to you, it should be possible to have a difficult conversation without bitterness. If there is consistent judgement, maybe growth has pushed you in different directions. Holding back your true feelings can also lead to a deep cavern that gets larger every day. One day, you may not be able to cross it at all.

9) Don't go to bed angry. Never take it for granted that you or someone else will awaken tomorrow. None of us knows God's plan fully, and you may not get the chance to tell someone directly that you didn't mean something that you said or did. This is more for you than them, because I believe that Heaven doesn't allow for negative feelings to dwell in our hearts.

10) Forgive, but you don't necessarily need to forget. Sometimes, a memory can teach you what not to do the next time around. Focus on the lessons moreso than the feelings.

As a wife, new mother, friend, sister, daughter, niece, etc., I treasure this the most: "We start and end with family."