40 Debi'isms' for 40

I shall not pretend that I actually know anything, because I PROMISE you I do not. I am an average gal. I am not different from anyone else on the planet, at all. However, I am certainly, now, almost the owner of 4 decades on our planet. This is only a sweet and at times sour sip of my proverbial glass of life. This glass may or may not be half empty or half full, but, by golly, I am glad I have a glass a'tol sometimes :).

40 Debi'isms for 40

1. If you expand your ability to give, serve, affect, contribute, and help others especially when uncomfortable, inconvenient, or 'out of your way', at the time you feel the most like being selfish, it has the unique power of opening your life to true joy.

2. Two easy choices daily can make all the difference in the world. If you read the scriptures and pray in the morning before you start your day, and in the evening when the day ends. Those two simple choices will change your life.

3. When 'man shopping' for eternal relationships. Watch what he does and ignore what he says. That will tell you all you need to know.


4. Do not be-rate yourself for undone household projects. The fact is, that if they are on your home management 'radar' there will eventually come a day that you will get it done. You really will, so let it go, and don't poke yourself in the eye every time you walk by it.

5. Never dress yourself, your husband or your children for anyone but you to enjoy. It is a waste of energy, money and effort if its not just to make YOU smile. Fact is, no one cares. They are only thinking about what they are wearing.

6. When traversing the 'philosophical' path in college, make sure you study something you can actually 'DO' that people will pay you money to do. Study the other things in the free time you have from not being tied to a crappy job that sucks the love of life out of you.

7. Always, always, always choose to be your child's advocate before sacrificing your value system just to be polite to people. Protecting your child comes first, every time.

8. Never read a book that you do not really like because of some 7th grade 'teacher's guilt trip' idea that you have to finish it. You will sacrifice valuable time you might otherwise have being inspired by 'word wonder' or a becomming a witness to brilliance.

9. Spend the money on movies and popcorn. There is power in beautiful stories and salty corn.

10. If you indulge yourself in saying, "I will NEVER do that.". Find a good recipe for 'Crow', because baby you are in for an unexpected dish of it pretty soon.

11. Do not forget nature. It will heal you. Carve out time to look up at the clouds, literally kneel down and smell the flowers and listen to the wild water.

12. If you get a feeling people are bored listening to you talk. You are probably 10 minutes too late.

13. Leave your house a little unkempt when inviting friends over. People are much more comfortable if your house is imperfect. Its like a permission slip to be real.

14. Successful intimate lives are synonymous with household harmony.

15. If you find a really great pair of pants that fit perfectly, always buy 2 or 3. Mysterious thread ,perfect cutting shears, nor Voodoo seamstress don't come around much in this life. You gotta strike when the iron is hot.

16. People who cannot abide the messiness/imperfection/unpredictability/and imminent moisture ridden irritations of small children or dogs are missing out on two of the most tremendous ways to experience pureness,love and joy.
17. You will never be happy if you are working on being 'good to yourself', or are 'not so hard on yourself'. Humankind is meant to strive. We are discontented on any other course but improvement.

18. Choose the relationship over 'proving your point' or being 'right'. Especially when your child proceeds past the age of bout ' 13.

19. Use good manners. If you don't know them or use them and everyone else does, then you are out of a giant 'secret' that makes you seem ignorant and common.

20. Any kind of commercial shortcut like, 'shampoo and conditioner' or 'peanut butter and jelly in the same jar' are always mistakes.

21. Eat donuts. They are seriously delicious. I'll trade you a fresh grocery store donut for a $15.00 dessert at any restaurant, anytime.

22. Grow a garden. Every lesson on life is in those seeds and soil. Truly.

23. If the house mess is getting away from you,....vacuum. Just tell yourself, "I'm just going to vacuum, that's it." I always trick myself into much more cleaning that way.

24. Remain interesting. Be the kind of layered person your kids would love to talk to in their twenties. Don't become invisible tending their lives. Hold your own.

25. "Don't cast your pearls before swine......". Now, I'm not saying other people are swine. Truth is they are usually not ready to listen to you the way you need them to for that kind of stuff. Save the pearls for a select few, cast rhinestones at the rest.( What exactly am I casting at you with this list?, you ask???? Give ya a hint, they are very shiney and inexpensive. )




26. Sit in the hot sun (sometimes), Ride down hill on your bike without a helmet and feel the wind in your hair (sometimes), Just fall asleep on the couch and don't get up to wash your face, brush your teeth, etc..etc..etc.. (sometimes) Use your nicest towels (sometimes), Wear your favorite perfume to do the carpool (sometimes), Let your kids get wet and muddy and dirty (sometimes), Skip the dishes after dinner (sometimes), Just run for the heck of it, without getting all 'dressed up in the perfect shoes, and workout clothes, and Ipod and sports watch. (sometimes) JUST SOMETIMES, DO THINGS JUST BECAUSE ITS FUN AND MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPY OR CARELESS OR RELEASED OR WHATEVER! (but only sometimes)

27. Truth is, there really isn't anyone you wouldn't like if you knew them long enough. Even their 'stinkiest' quality would grown on you. Don't count people out too fast.

28. Acknowledge that God is real. He really really is. So, change what you need to change to get back to him if you die. That simple.

29. Choose to nurture your children with the best you are. Don't go to some office somewhere, give 'them' your best and give what is left to your kids. Be 'on' for them, they need you more, love you more and will be a reflection of what you invest.

30. Remember you are a speck. I mean really. You are. Hello, Earth, hello me. Puts life's drama and issues in order very quickly. Earth big, you small. Drama over.

31. When you were young, there was something someone noticed about you that revealed your budding talents. Remember the time you heard that and thought, "Hey, I'm different in this one way from everybody else". Well, that was the first step on a path to finding 'you'. Keep going no matter what.

32. Quiet is more powerful than 'Loud' if you need to find the answer. Turn down that knob called 'world' and be quiet. It is in that quiet that the answer comes. Its been waiting for you to be still and listen.

34. When you hear truth it affects you like light effects dark. Keep listening until the light wins.
!

35. Finding balance with everything we do with our mortal bodies seems so impossible. Fact is, like your house, its unusual for every single room to be pristine simultaneously. It is usually a few at a time. Its the same with our appetites, desires and passions. Just remember, if you are 'perfect' at something right now, there is probably a 'cluttered garage' to clean sometime soon.

36. Recognize earth's bounty. Receive its nourishment in its season. God knows what he is doing. He knows what you need, when you need it. He has gifted us with our natural world to bring us balance and contentment. Use the fruits and vegetables and grains and herbs and clear water first. Then, you can muddy it up with the rest


37. If you find a friend that it is an easy pleasure to talk to. Someone who it is an easy pleasure to be equally quiet with... someone kindred. Keep them. They do not come around as often as you think. They are priceless treasures.



38. Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers, plant your own garden. Cliche' but poignant for women especially. Start digging sister!

39. Teach your daughters to want to be mothers and wives. Teach your sons to want to be fathers and husbands. Foster their desire to have a family and be blessed therein. I need someone great to marry my perfect kids okay :)

40. And last, but if you know me, not least........

Remember you are divine. Everything good and beautiful denotes your divinity. Your spirit is so filled with light and knowledge and truth and faith and love and joy. Don't let this 'earthy life' beguile you. What you once were, you will be again, only better if you can stand it. THIS, I do KNOW after 40 years.

Don't let it take you that long to find that truth and honor it each day of your life :)

tis' true some of this stuff
was advice given to me,
and yep, some of it I just made up on the spot,
its up to you to take it or not

take what you will,
leave the rest,
for me and my 'now' old age,
I gave ye my best :)