Older & Thankfully Wiser

Oprah said many times that getting older was great.  She loved her 30s.  When I was younger, I thought she was crazy, but now all I can hear is Deana Carter's song Strawberry Wine and totally relate to the part "I still remember, when thirty was old"!  And man - do I agree with Oprah.  30s are great - because I've become way more wiser than I was back in the day.


Some lessons I've learned over the years..............


Try not to say "I would......".  Oh baby you may eat those sweet words one day.  I made the mistake of telling someone years ago how "I would.....".  Well until I was in that situation, I didn't know what I would do and the truth is - until you are in a situation you don't know.  You think you do, but you have no clue!


Don't sweat the little things.  I used to get so upset over spilled milk, broken glasses, dents in the car, etc.  But nowadays I just laugh and move on to bigger things.  Why stress over stuff that can be replaced and doesn't really matter?  No need for it.


Trust in God always. I used to have OCD badly!  Like be halfway on a vacation and have to turn around to come check that the iron was unplugged badly :(   Poor D got used to it and poor Chelle ended up getting it worse than me.  Luckily - one little trick has helped me in times of stress - I just say "Jenn, Jesus is handling it, chill out".  And in that instant I'm relieved.  Sometimes I have to repeat it several times, but it always eases my mind.


The only person you can control is yourself.  I've been burned several times by human beings.  By loved ones.  By people I work with.  By people I trusted with all of my heart.  Sometimes in minor ways, sometimes in major life-changing ways.  I've had the desire to kill people (not joking), leave people, get revenge, etc.  But I've decided in most cases it's easier to take the high road - not stoop to their level, and simply be myself.  I can't worry about others' choices, decisions, or thoughts.  I am only in control of ME.


Learn from yourself and others.  One of the reasons I miss Oprah so much is because I learned so much from her shows.  I love true life situations and listening to people who have been there, done that - and survived!  I love documentaries.  I LEARN DAILY from others.  Be it good or bad.


Don't stay at work too long or bring it home.  A few years ago D and I went through some pretty trying times.  I was never at home........was at work, at my kids' schools, at church, at community things, etc. I got so caught up with trying to help everyone else, that I forgot what and WHO really mattered. It took us almost divorcing for me to realize that although I love my job, my community, and my church that my family came first. It's a hard lesson to learn and my kids and D probably still think I'm away too much.  Chelle will say I'm on my phone too much. But I do my best to refuse to put other things before them.  It's super hard.  But I have seen friends lose kids and spouses and I will do my part to make my time with them as worthwhile as possible.


I could go on, but will stop for now. I am so grateful to learn from my mistakes as well as others'. I am learning daily. I'm glad I am older and wiser in my thirties.


I will say again how fortunate I know I am.  As I read  fb posts, blogs of my friends, newspapers, watch tv and news, I am quickly reminded that my simple life is not so damn bad.  I absolutely love living in Navasota, Texas, U.S.A,  in my little house in the hood, driving a Ford, being fluffy,  having a busy life, awesome kids, a crazy husband , and a job that is sometimes tiring!!  I know for sure that someone out there would love my life for just five minutes - and I am so thankful that they can't have it - because it's all mine!!!