- How important reading is - In 2015 I read a lot of great books that not only inspired me but changed my perspective. I also love being able to gain wisdom from other people. My favorite book that I read in 2015 would have to be One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. This book has made me realize a lot of things about myself and has made me be more grateful for all the small gifts in life around me.
- Happiness - It is so easy to think if only I had this item then I would be happy. But that is never ever the case. As I have gotten older I have started to realize more how happiness really is a choice and it does not depend on my circumstances but my attitude towards them.
- Appreciate the small things - I have tried to start being mindful about all the beautiful things that are around me everyday. For instance, I love staring at clouds and have really begun to appreciate all the weird cloud shapes that form everyday. Also another thing I love is when I pass a field with flowers in it. I want to embrace the small things because one day I may look back and realize they were big things.
- Being more thankful - Now this ties with #3, but I have realized from some books I have read last year how important it is to acknowledge the people in my life that have impacted me and to make sure they know I appreciate them and am thankful for them. I am so thankful for my parents,family,friends, and also my lovely dog. They all have impacted my heart so much and I love them dearly.
- Don't stress over small things - There were some things that happened in 2015 that I could not control and just had to let God be in control. This is something that I am constantly trying to improve and grow on, but I can think of some certain instances that I think I handled pretty well and didn't stress over.
- How important family is - I had some things happen last year that really made me so grateful for my family and I have realized how much my family means to me. I also love my extended family as well and I really hope they all know how much I appreciate spending time with them and how much I love them.
- Surround yourself with positive people - It can be pretty easy to be associated with negative people. But I refuse to do that anymore. I want to be around people who are positive,encouraging, and really want to grow in life.
- Be careful what you put into your mind - This can also be related to #7. I have realized a lot lately how what I read,watch, and even listen to can impact my mind and the way I think about things. I have started to become careful of who I even follow on social media because it really can impact my mood and how I view things.
- Comparison - A wise person by the name of Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." I have realized how easy it is for me to compare myself to others. I have started to try and list certain qualities that I like about myself and am thankful that God gave me. I know this is easier said than done, but I always try to remind myself that I was created in God's image and am worthy in his eyes.
- Forgive yourself - I made so many mistakes and did certain things I am not proud of in 2015, but I forgave myself and as long as I have learned from my mistakes I think that is the best thing.
- The importance of music - Music has had such a big impact on my life for years now, but every year I am reminded by how much it really does help my mind. Tenth Avenue North and Hillsong United are some of my top music choices that have really helped me when I needed it the most.
- We all have struggles - I have talked to some of my best friends about this topic several times and it is nice to know that they agree on this. I am sometimes guilty of looking at other peoples lives through their social media accounts, like instagram. I see their life and assume they don't have any struggles. But now that is not always the case, some people are just better at hiding their problems than others.
- The importance of friendship - I am so thankful for all of my good friends that I can easily talk to and also trust. Friendship is such a beautiful thing and I am so thankful for having people who not only encourage and inspire me, but can handle my weird self.
- Being content being single - Now some people may see this and laugh because I am not so great at being content being single. But I have improved a lot in this area, but still need so much more improving. I guess the struggle for me is that I don't know of anything different than being single so it is hard to not wonder what being in a relationship is like. Especially since these past years a lot of my friends have gotten married, engaged, or gone through multiple relationships. But I am trying to remind myself of all the positives about being single. Even though this is a hard subject for me to talk about, at the end of the day I am really happy I am single.
- How important my faith is - At the end of 2015 I got into a car accident by a hit and run driver. Thankfully it was not a bad accident and God kept my mom and I safe through it all. But it really made me rethink my life a lot and what I am living for/what I believe in. I want to constantly grow in my faith and this accident was a reminder that my faith is so important to me. And to me this was the greatest thing I learned this year.
Even though I learned so much in 2015, I have so much more to learn and improve on. Here's to hoping that 2016 is an amazing year and a year full of not only growth, but spiritual growth as well.