30 Years; 30 People (1 through 10)

I'm going to take the next couple of months to remember and post about 30 people who have changed my views; my life; and my journey.

www.xkcd.com

1. Embrace Our Vulnerability (Brene Brown)

Sent to me by my dear friend, P.  Brene Brown presents her speech on TED Talk.  She tells us, "Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love, belonging and joy."   This has been a long hard journey for me to 1. accept this knowledge, 2. embrace this knowledge and 3. apply this knowledge.  I'm still working on it.  Every moment of every day.

2. Nothing Changes in a Year (Ashley W.)

Ashley was one of the only people who encouraged me without hesitation to follow my dreams.  She said, nothing changes in a year.  She has since said that if she had known that I'd be gone forever, she wouldn't have encouraged me so strongly.


3.  Not all Lessons to be Taught should be Learnt (TWO)

Listening to Missy Higgens Scar today in the car, I realize that people have so much to offer and give; but at the end of the day, every lesson in life doesn't have to be absorbed and applied.  It doesn't need to be contemplated and chewed and digested for real life application.  Take the ones you want to learn, and run.

4.  Be Myself, always (PIB)

The easiest relationship I have had and by far in the same breath, the hardest, is the one where he has without fail accepted me as me.  He sees right through me to my core.  It doesn't matter what I tell him, he loves me because of these things.  This is with every ounce of my breath, a relationship worth all the struggle.  Revealing who I am isn't easy, but knowing he still loves me; makes it worth it.


5.  Create Something Meaningful (Priscilla K)

Who knows where we'll be or how we'll get there.  Life is a journey that should be enjoyed.  Come to peace with yourself and be happy.  This leads to a life worth living.

6. Believe in Myself (Yeager)

My first female trainer was more than inspiration to me.  She worked just as hard for me to get to the finish line as she did herself.  I know that its mind over matter and I've experienced it.  When no one else believes, all you've got is yourself.

7. You don't have to understand someone to let them follow their dreams. (MJ)

Life leads everyone down a different path.  Each persons desires and ambitions are completely fueled by some spark that another person may not be able to see.  Just because you don't understand, doesn't mean, that when your paths cross, you can't encourage them through to theirs.

8.  Love is a bottomless pit. (My Parents)

No matter how I argue, fight, or love; my parents embrace the change and weather the storm.  They have shown me that, yes, I won't know true love until I've become a parent.

9. Goodness comes from unexpected places. (Molly M.)

My fifth grade teacher was an idol for me.  Perfect and beautiful, she had her life together.  Every year, she sponsored me in full to attend a youth convention.  She never expected anything from me and gave without thinking.  I'm still shy as fuck around her, but you never know where you'll find some kindness.

10.  Good Friends; you may only meet once. (Megan Tan)

Megan and I met on the snowy slopes of Peek n Peak.  Chillin' by the fire, we found it easy to chit chat.  Once out on the open slopes, our talk turned to books and life.  She introduced me to several life changing books and for that; I will never forget her.  Look for friendship everywhere, even if you have nothing to offer but conversation.