Since I am almost 30, 30 things I have learned in my 20s...

--> Things I have learned or how I have changed.  And I am still working on them of course!

1.     Our true worth is not dependant on what we do, our talents, or any other thing.  Our real worth does not ever change.  (I knew this already, but some of my experiences taught it to me on a deeper level.)

2.     I learned more that the Savior is always there for us no matter what we go through or what we struggle with.

3.     I learned how merciful and loving, kind, and forgiving, and wanting to forgive is our Heavenly Father.  I knew these were His traits, but I feel that I have come to know that He is more like this, not a demanding, strict, stern, unforgiving God.  He is perfect.

4.     I learned to not run faster than we have strength.  Sometimes in our lives we can do more things than at other times.  We need to be mindful of this counsel for ourselves and families.

5.     I became (I think!) less judgmental and hopefully more compassionate.  I think going through life’s experiences can do that to most of us, in general if we let them, no matter what we go through.

6.     I learned more and to a deeper level that God is always aware of us and our specific circumstances.

7.     I learned that the Savior suffered for each of us personally, not just for “sickness” in general or “suffering” in general, but for each of our sicknesses, pains, sorrows, sins, etc.  He knows exactly our circumstances and exactly what we went through.  This was a personal thing to me as I was taught this.

8.     I learned that the person is always more important than the event, schedule, or meeting. 

9.     I learned that your best is acceptable to God, no matter what your best is.  The story of the widow’s mite is very close to my heart and means a lot to me.  That story has been in my mind and thoughts often through the years.

10. I have learned how important the work of motherhood is and even more of its significance.  Even as I get older I continue to realize how important my mother was and continues to be to me and how that love of a mother is one of the very greatest things and is unequaled in its significance on this earth.  God’s love is the only thing greater I think.

11. The smallest acts of kindness can go a long way.  Follow your promptings, even if you don’t understand them and sometimes they can be small for you, but big for someone else.  I have learned this.   Also, the smallest unkind remarks can also hurt someone who is already in pain.

12.  God always wants our ultimate happiness, even when we don’t understand the things we have to go through at the time.

13. Allow others time to heal from pain, sorrow, suffering they have gone through.  Allow them to share or express their pain, sorrow, frustration, or whatever they may need.  Listen and love and do not judge as best as possible.  We all need each other sometimes.

14. Find happiness in the small moments, no matter what they are.  A child laughing, a funny joke, a small act of kindness, the beauty of the world, whatever it is.

15. Family history brings a special spirit into your life.  (I knew this already, but learned it even more.)

16. Have fun, relax, and be creative!  What a blessing those things are.

17. Relationships are the most important thing—already knew, but life just makes you keep realizing this, I think.

18. Consistency is very important in any area of our life—health, spiritual, etc.

19. Be kind to yourself and others.  Have charity toward yourself as well as those around you.

20. To not take the simplest of blessings or the things we have been blessed to be able to do for granted. (always have to work on this, right?)

21. God has confidence in us.  As mothers.  As his children, and fathers, etc.  And if He has confidence in us, that says a lot.

22. Being Christlike is a much more important thing/trait than someone who is scheduled, gets things done on time, etc., or whatever it is.  Those things are good!  But being Christlike is more important I believe.

23. Heavenly Father and the Savior love us so much and are happy when we are happy and sad when we are sad.

24. Reach out to those who are struggling in life.  Or who are suffering.  Don’t wait to be asked, if you see a need or can think of something to do, do it without being asked.  Just being a friend and loving someone is always great.  We may not always know what to do of course, but we can do our best to love.

25.   Sometimes you might be the mother you never said you would be….and your kids will throw tantrums in the store and you might have a messy house at times…but you are still awesome and so are your kids. J

26. People are just people.  We all need to be loved, no matter how old, or what we have been through.

27. Actually LIVING the principles of kindness and patience are hard when you find your newly 3 year old twin have put all, or almost all of the clothes from their drawers into their brother’s crib and one of them got in there and is jumping with the baby on the clothes after you put them in bed.

28. Simplify things.  Keep it simple.

29.   It can be hard to be 3 sometimes.  Or 1.  Or 6.  Or 8.  Or 29.  Or 32.  Just be nice.

30. Find joy in the journey!