1. You’re amazing. Just as you are. And no one but your Creator can tell you otherwise. And He’s already spoken, and the verdict is already in, and it’s already been established – you are wonderfully made and you are amazing. So please don’t forget this. Ever.

2. Whatever you’re going through right now – the hard, the impossible, the beautiful, the delightful – it will not last forever. Savor the sweet while you taste it, tuck it deep into memory and marrow. Keep your head up and your eyes on the promise of tomorrow when life is hard and dusty and impossible, and know that this too will pass.

3. It is never a waste of time to pick up the phone and spend an hour talking to your best friend. Or your mother. Or your sister. Or your husband. Or your wife.

4. Kids grow up really, really fast. And you will miss them when they’ve found their own lives and homes and your hearth is not the center of it. But this is not a good reason not to make them clean their rooms while they’re still in your nest.

5. That thing you really want to do? You should probably do that.

6. That thing you really want to do that scares you a bit? You should definitely do that.

7. Life is chock-full of second chances. But sometimes they’re disguised as new things.

8. When you get right down to it, most of the things we stress out about or get angry about or worry about don’t really matter. When you figure this out, life becomes a lot sweeter.

9. I honestly believe that music makes everything better. But I also believe that it has to be music that speaks to each person as an individual, which makes the fact that there is such a wide variety of music in the world simply delightful. Basically, all music is on the table, because all music has something for someone. The trick is, figuring out what you want on your table.

10. What people want most of all, is validation. I base this statement on years of living. And also listening. And also, just knowing people. So, when you have the opportunity to validate someone – to let them know that you think they’re amazing and awesome and totally good being who they are? You shouldn’t let that opportunity pass. Tell them.

11. We all have things we’re awesome at, and things we are just really, really bad at. These usually line up pretty reliably with things that we love doing, and things we just really, really do not love doing. I’d love to say that we should all stop doing the things we really, really do not love doing (and are really, really bad at) but that would mean that my house would never get cleaned. So I clean. Imperfectly. And I’m okay with that.

12. It’s okay not to be a size zero. Or two. Or six. Or any size that you aren’t. (please see #1)

13. When your heart is moved by a story of heartbreak, it’s doing its job. This is the cue for you to do your job and do something about it.

14. It’s always easier to dream than it is to do. Do anyway. It’s way more fun.

15. Life is short. ‘Nuff said. Stop waiting.

16. The hardest thing in the world is to build momentum. The hardest thing in the world is to break it once you’ve built it.

17. Some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet are the people you think you don’t ever want to meet.

18. Everyone has a story. Everyone. If you’ll listen well, you’ll learn how to love well. And if you love well, you will find Love.

19. It’s hard to raise boys. Especially when you grew up in a house of girls. But you can learn. (The opposite is also true. At least I’m assuming…)

20. The most amazing moments in your life will not be the ones you think will be the most amazing moments in your life. Notice them. Savor them. Love them.

21. One day your kid will astound you by being someone you didn’t know they were. Be astounded. And don’t offer any helpful suggestions about being more astounding. Just bask.

22. Everything takes longer than you think it will. Renovations. Raising kids. Building a relationship. Learning anything. Growing a business. Growing a life.

23. People who like to criticize are people who haven’t learned #18. Don’t be those people. Please.

24. Life is hard. For you. For me. For everyone. Don’t waste time comparing or complaining. Offer a smile and move on.

25. You are not too old. You are not too broken.

26. You are worthy – of love, of respect, of dignity. Always.

27. Even if no one told you this today or yesterday or even the day before…you are loved, loveable, amazing, and delightful. Because you’re you. And no one else on the planet can say that. So basically, you rock. And I just wanted you to know.

~xo,
LuAnne