Below is a compilation of things I wish I would've known and taken to heart when I was younger. I was thinking about my freshman girls the other night and all these things came to the surface and so I decided to make this list. Here ya go. <3
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1. "Sometimes, you must free yourself with the ability to say, 'no.' 'No,' might make them angry, but it will make you free. If no one has ever told you, your freedom is more important than their anger." --Nayyirah Waheed
2. "A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man should have to seek Him just to find her." --Maya Angelou
3. Don't knock it til you try it.
4. When entrusted with a secret, keep it.
5. Just because you can doesn't mean you always should. Be wise. WWJD may seem cliche, but it is so important.
6. Eat lunch with the new kids.
7. Make time for your mom on your birthday; it's a special day for her, too.
8. Don't stare.
9. If you've made your point, stop talking.
10. Look people in the eyes when you talk to them. It makes a difference, even if it scares you.
11. Be kind to little kids. Your reputation is build over a lifetime.
12. If you don't understand, ask before it is too late. Being confused doesn't make you stupid.
13. Be a good listener. Don't just take your turn to talk.
14. Keep your word. You are what you do, not what you say.
15. It's okay to cry. It's okay to be angry. It's not okay to bring it out on the people around you.
16. You're never too old or too cool to need your mom.
17. Smile at strangers.
18. The first person to act on their anger always loses the argument.
19. Everyone knows something you don't.
20. Failure is an idea, not a person. You will fail; you will never be a failure.
21. Beautiful girl, you don't owe anyone anything. Don't let people make you feel like you are obligated to keep them happy. It's a lie.
22. "Never reply when you are angry. Never make a promise when you are happy. Never make a decision when you are sad." --Anonymous
23. Take care of yourself the way you would take care of your daughter or your best friend.
24. Never take two doses of Benadryl at the same time. It'll basically knock you out.
25. Always double-check to make sure the cashier gave you the correct change. Sometimes they miscount.
26. Sing. Sing til your throat is sore. And make sure you record it. Your own voice is going to be the most comforting to you, ironically, and honey, that's not vanity, that's acceptance. You are slowly learning to love the vessel that houses your soul.
27. He's going to tell you he loves you. He's going to tell you you're precious. He's going to tell you you're beautiful. He's going to tell you that you can do things no one else can. He's telling the truth. Cling to that truth. Don't cling to him.
28. Blood doesn't make a sister or a brother or a mother or a father. Love does.
29. Eat that extra cupcake. Sing the harmony to that song. Go ask him to dance. You're never gonna be happy if you constantly second-guess yourself.
30. Be open. Offer yourself. You're going to get hurt, but you're also going to heal, both yourself and others.
31. Don't let your identity depend on what she does next. You are not her; you are you and you are enough.
32. "Though you may cry over it at night, clenching your fingers around your sheets, and hot tears streaming onto your pillow, you must come to terms with the fact that not everyone will love you. Some people will never come in at all, and some will leave, and you will find their smudgy handprints on the doorknob. Don’t be bitter, you've left messes of your own." --Molly Mae Wilson
33. Sometimes it feels like it's easier to let your heart be hard and be angry and hold the fact that they hurt you against them, but honestly, it sucks the life out of you. You've got to forgive them. Being bitter just makes you a prisoner. You may tell yourself you don't know how, but that's no excuse. You've just got to choose to love them more than your heart is aching from the pain they caused you. You'll be SO glad you did.
34. You're not going to have those older girls around forever. Take every chance you can to show them you love them.
35. When they leave, grieve it. It's okay. But after you've grieved it, you've got to wipe your face and be present for your own girls. God does all things for a reason. These little girls are your reason.
36. You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward. That's the point of faith.
37. 1 Corinthians 13 is so important. Memorize it. Cling to it. Live your life in love, according to that outline. It will be so helpful when you're dealing with difficult people.
38. Jesus is enough. Jesus is all you need. Jesus is enough. Jesus is all you need. Jesus is enough. Jesus is all you need. Jesus is enough. Jesus is all you need.
39. Your love language is not every other person's. Learn to speak their's as well.
40. Mom knows a lot more than you think she does. Trust her.
41. The most effective outline for an apology is as follows: I am sorry for xxx. It was wrong because xxx. Next time I will xxx. Will you forgive me?
42. The most effective way to ask for an apology is as follows: When you said/did xxx, it hurt/angered/frustrated me in this way, and I would like an apology.
43. You are responsible for every area of your life.
44. Life is not fair. People leave, that kid who cheated is going to get a better grade than you, that event is going to get canceled. Don't let it make you bitter.
45. Don't wear eye makeup if you suspect it's gonna be a rough day.
46. Your stomach is beautiful. Your hips are beautiful. Your hair is beautiful. God took great joy in creating your human body. It is precious. Treat it as such.
47. Make weird faces. It'll make people laugh and ease the tension right after you have a fight with your sister.
48. If someone compliments you, instead of denying it or milking it for everything it's worth, simply say, "thank you. I really appreciate that." It's more classy and modest.
49. Baking cookies is therapeutic.
50. Life is hard, little girl. It'll knock you down and leave you battered and bruised. But it is so, so beautiful. Cherish it. Cherish the people who make your life what it is. They are all important, God has given them to you to teach you. You are loved and valued and never alone, and held by a God who knows you fully, and is so, so good, all the time, and you're okay. Always. You're SO okay.
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