Post Fourteen (21 things)

21 things I’ve learned in 21 years.

1. You are never too old for stuffed animals. In fact, I believe people would be happier if they had more of them. So always make sure you have them.

2. Drink your iced coffee in mason jars. It tastes better.

3. Act just as excited to see your dogs as they are when they see you. They sense that love and joy, and they must always have an infinite amount of love and happiness.

4. Treat every new day as a gift. You are breathing oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide for a reason. You open your eyes each morning for a reason. You may not know your purpose for living yet, but there is a reason why you are here. You just need to figure it out.

5. Drink more water. We like to see some clear pee.

6. Carve little notes on benches; you will make someone’s day. I know this is vandalism, but it makes people happy sooooooooo… What are you going to do?

7. Play the Harry Potter theme song when you drive at night. Fully crank the dial. I don’t know why, but this is a religious experience, and it must be done.

8. Find your happy color. Mine is light blue; for those that know me, this is so apparent. I have learned that surrounding myself with soft blue just puts me in a better mood. My dream is to have a home one day that is all decorated with light blues, whites, and a little pop of yellow. One day, I want to have a kitchen with pale blue cabinets and kitchen appliances, with bowls of lemons. The light blues remind me of the sky and the ocean, and the white reminds me of poofy clouds, and yellow reminds me of the sun. Those colors and images make me smile, and I think surrounding yourself with things that make you smile is the most important thing.

9. Don’t set limits on what you think you can do. If you can dream infinitely, you can do infinitely. You just need to work for it.

10. Drink more earl grey tea. Make sure you put plenty of milk and sugar in it.

11. Kindness is free. There is not enough of it in this sometimes tragic world, but you can always make it. So make it.

12. Watching and re-watching Gilmore Girls is good for the soul.

13. Spend your time with people that never want to change you.

14. Wear a ton of mascara; It makes you (me) happy. It might be a lot, but if it makes you happy, do it. I am a big fan of long-ass lashes and glowy pink cheeks.

15. Be that person that laughs when it is silent. Warm up the room with the sound of happiness.

16. Your body is beautiful no matter what size or weight. Fuel it with what it needs. Food is not a punishment.

17. Put Nutella on your acai bowls.

18. Dance in public. If people judge… well, that just sucks for them because it is very freeing.

19. Listen to Coldplay’s Yellow and go stargazing.

20. Keep your friends wild when they keep you safe, and vice versa.

21. Pick up every dandelion you see. Every little wisp is a wish ready to embed itself someplace new.

Love always,

G