a decade's worth of lessons

i'm starting a new decade tomorrow -- happy 30th to me!  here are a few things i learned last decade:

- it's best to adopt an attitude of curiosity rather than judgement.  everyone is different and that is okay.  

- it's helpful to believe that people (including myself) are doing the best that they can, given their circumstances.  

- my values & priorities are like a map & compass to guide me through hard decisions.  it's ok if they're are different from other people's -- trust that mine will work for me.

- i can't control other people's feelings / opinions / actions.  all i can do is treat myself and others with respect. 

- i am my biggest advocate. it is my responsibility to communicate and secure whatever it is i need and want.

- i can change things.  things probably doesn't have to be the way that they are.

- i don't have to be friends with everyone.  some people are negative, troubled, or unpleasant.  why bother with them?

- don't be scared to make the wrong choice. choices give rise to new options that i might not have had before. 

- i am my own worst enemy when i catastrophize and mistake it for an inevitable reality.

- there are many hours in the day.  so do something :)

- invest in myself and in my relationships.

pretty good, i think.  looking forward another decade!