Growth is an essential part of our being. We are constantly changing, whether we recognize it or not. This constant growth can often feel uncomfortable, uncertain, and difficult.

In my last two blog posts, I’ve highlighted six of the ten lessons I feel I’ve learned in the decade of my 20’s as a way to commemorate a new decade of Earth: the 2020’s.

What I didn’t expect was a global pandemic to hit amidst my very personal reflection. This has only deepened my appetite for reflection and creation. Of course, in light of COVID-19, I’ve felt many things shift. I have experienced every array of emotions, sometimes in one five-minute meditation. Yet, my heart is centering more deeply on my values and all I feel connected to. I’ve leaned into so much discomfort, seeking the gentle compassion I know is in my heart and the heart of the world.

Though I created the “Decade of Lessons” list prior to the global pandemic, I can’t help but feel these four lessons remaining are completely applicable to where we are in the world.

In wishing you peace, health, and connection – here are the final four lessons I wish to share with you while we turn many pages in life.

I love learning and growing – even when it’s uncomfortable and hard. I am so grateful for all the lessons I have learned in life, as they’ve made me who I am and stronger every day.

This is Part 2 of the 10 lessons I have learned in the last 10 years. During this transitionary period on earth and in my life, the lessons continue. This post features:

1. Growth takes courage.
2. Perseverance is rooted in faith and compassion.
3. “Yes” and “No” should come from the heart.
4. I am responsible for myself, my actions, and reactions.
5. Connection and love give life meaning.
6. Anger and fear communicate to me.

Published February 27, 2020

I’m not exactly known for being succinct – in neither verbal or written words. I process and think out loud and words come naturally to me. One of the biggest challenges for me is packing my words into short, deliverable sentences. Packing a punch in a few words that I could easily remember was a challenge when writing things like affirmations, goals, and summaries. Sometimes, I do tell ridiculously long and silly stories. I remember my track team in college asking me to add “Then I found $20!” to the end of my long-winded stories that probably had absolutely no point, but hey, sometimes I’m just having fun! [#noregrets #thisisme]

Really though… It’s fun to play with thoughts that bounce around my mind. Most of my random thoughts and streams of consciousness end up on my Instagram captions (hence the spelling/spelling mistakes that probably flood my captions, despite my nerdy love for grammar). I’m really good at getting my word count up, but pretty shitty at getting it down (removing the word “that” has helped a lot… does anyone else use that word excessively when writing?! What is WITH that?). Also, I am 100% a verbal processor. I like to think out loud, working through my thoughts as the rise and fall in my mind. Anyways, I want to write a book one day, so I’ve gotta have enough words to fill a few pages, right?!

The challenge I gave myself with this NEW DECADE (of the 2000’s and OF MY LIFE) was to package all my lessons learned in the last ten years into TEN lessons. A decade of lessons from the last decade. How fun! Well, true life, this has been way harder than I anticipated. My brain has been buzzing with things I’ve learned, but the process of dissecting my experiences and what they’ve meant to me is a way I grow. I am a reflective and reminiscent individual with a scary strong memory. For this, I am blessed.