25 Lessons
Photo by Diana Mrazikova
Well, here we are at the end of January. Have you stuck with all your New Year’s resolutions? I always appreciate the chance for self improvement, but for some reason, New Year’s resolutions just don’t feel real to me. So this year, I decided to do something different. Instead of making a list of things I wanted to change in the upcoming year, I decided to reflect on some things I learned this past year. The hope is that the lessons will be my reminder for who I want to be and how I want to live in 2010.
Here are a few things I learned in 2009:
1. I can go six weeks without eating sugar.
2. I never want to do that ever again.
3. Saying what you mean and meaning what you say can be scary sometimes.
4. Speaking the truth gets a little easier each time you do it.
5. Traveling is magical, inspiring, and life-changing.
6. Traveling is challenging, confronting, and miserable.
7. It is nearly impossible for me to sleep with someone and not develop intense feelings for him.
8. Unless I’m traveling and leaving the country the following day. Then it’s just plain fun.
9. I can pee perfectly into a cup, while driving (cruise control on a highway), and not spill a drop.
10. Unless I pee so much that the cup gets filled—and I don’t realize it—and the cup runneth over.
11. I could blame the pee-smell in my car on my dogs.
12. I prefer to just tell the truth and laugh about it.
13. Giving my heart to someone who hasn’t earned it is foolish and painful.
14. Being open and vulnerable and jumping in with both feet is laudable. (However, it too may be foolish and painful.)
15. There are few things more terrifying than karaoke.
16. There are few things more liberating than karaoke.
17. A woman’s chemistry can make her crazy.
18. A man’s chemistry can make her fuckin’ batshit.
19. Instincts should never be ignored.
20. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell where your instincts start and your baggage stops.
21. Regret is a waste of time.
22. I struggle with time management.
23. I’m afraid love may not exist the way I want it to.
24. I couldn’t give up on love if I tried.
25. I will likely learn all of this all over again in 2010 (except the pee-spilling thing—lesson learned).
- Posted by Rory on January 29, 2010 at 4:00 am
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Tagged as: happiness, Love, relationships, Spirituality
Other posts by this author:
Great lessons! I think we tend to focus on what we’ve done WRONG and want to change in Jan, instead of looking at all the things we’ve learned and improved about ourselves!
Elodie
Slim Girl Diary
You are so so very funny!
I love your post!
Each lesson learned is so true for so many of us but I can’t stop laughing about peeing in the car… first I thought why in the world you are testing your Ph level in the car (you can tell i’m in my own world…)but then realized you just needed to go…
You are wonderful!
Yes, you will find love the way you want it. You will!
hugs to you, xoxo
Very well constructed. COMPLETELY related to and appreciated the yin-yang of it all. If its not one thing its another.” I love this, except when I dont”. Perfectly captured the central paradox of all our lives. THANK YOU!
I can totally relate to 7, 13, and 24. These were my hardest lessons to learn last year. And I agree that you will find love on your own terms! I’m holding out for that!
Thank you!!!!
To cute! I really enjoyed this!
Thanks, Rory! Well done!
My brother drove big rigs and used to talk about the glory of peeing in bottles on the road. I figured this was not possible for females. Now, thanks to you, I know I can do it!
I’m convinced that everyone needs to do karaoke on a regular basis. Not only is it liberating, but after doing karaoke in multiple countries, I think it is the ultimate cultural bridge.
Love this! Hard to say which one is my favorite..I love them all but esp. 18, 19 and totally #20!!
Reading this was a great way to start my day-thanks,Rory!
I love this rory thanks for all the truths that cup peeing feat should be an olympic event.. not easy. I love you writing .. thanks for some universal lessons learned. love ya callie
LOVED this.
So funny! Also, I totally related to the love thing. I remember reading ‘time travelers wife’ and thinking like, that’s totally fairy tale/made up love. Then I met the best man ever and realized love exists for everyone the way that they want it! They just need patience and the strength to avoid “just comfortable” or “ok” love.
Great list!! I found it interesting that several of the things you “discovered” were also lessons I learned more recently. Specifically the not eating sugar, and the travel related lessons. (And like you will probably learn again!!)
oh my gosh, that is all too true and all too funny!
Great great great….I think I’ll make one of my own….pretty similar to yours. You’ll find someone worth it this year, I can feel it
Not that that means much, but it could happen! Good luck and happy travels!
You make me giggle…repeatedly!
Love these including the continuity, discontinuity, here-ness of now and willingness to hear now. Wishing you a wonderful 2010 xox
I loved and laughed – great!!
HILARIOUS! One of the many reasons I love you Rory! Rock on with your bad self and get a bigger cup!
LOVE THIS POST! Made me laugh! Thank you for not being perfect Rory!
Oh, now I TOTALLY want to try the peeing in a cup whilst on cruise control thing! But the rest, not so much. 2009 was a crazy year for you, eh?
Haha, I love this! = ))
This list is a great idea!