I turn 49 today and quite honestly that number is so strange to me.  My mother is supposed to be 49, not me!  I sure don't feel it and most people tell me I don't look it either, whatever that means.  As I reflect on the last 49 years (ok, really the last year), I think about all of the things I've learned.  Some lessons have taken a lot longer than others!

1. BE PRESENT!  Enjoy each moment.
2. You need to learn to be happy being alone, before you can be with anyone else.
3. Do not expect anyone else to make you happy, it's an inside job.
4. People aregoing to judge you and it's none of your business (one of my favorite quotes ever)!
5. You are never too old to learn something new or change your career path.
6. You must be honest with yourself in order to be honest with anyone else.
7. You must deal with sorrow in order to know JOY.
8. Dating in your 40's is HARD!
9. Do not make someone a priority if you're only an afterthought (not the exact quote but still another favorite).
10. Do not settle for anything that does not fulfill you.
11. It is way better to be alone than lonely in a relationship.
12. In a relationship, don't settle for anything less than you deserve.
13. But...be realistic about relationships...they're not easy!
14. Be kind to yourself.
15. Don't ever say anything to yourself that is demeaning or degrading...you wouldn't say it to someone else, would you?
16. REMEMBER...You are doing the best you can with what you know at any given moment.
17. Dance whenever you feel like it!  Ask my classes, I dance all the time!
18. Sing at the top of your lungs...in your car...alone...you sound great!
19. Listen to music, as loudly as you want, until your neighbors complain.
20. Accept people where they are, not where you 'think' they should be.
21. Accept Yourself where you are too!
22. Learn from your past but don't dwell in it.
23. Have FUN with whatever you do, even cleaning the house...yeah I still don't do this one!
24. Nurture your friendships.
25. Express gratitude every day.
26. Light candles for no reason.
27. Celebrate the people in your life.
28. LAUGH loudly and often.
29. SMILE at everyone you meet, you may change their day.
30. Look people in the eyes when you talk to them, even strangers.
31. Don't judge other people, you have no idea what is going on in behind closed doors.
32. Keep your body and mind active.
33. But some days, chill on your couch and binge watch Netflix.
34. Jump in puddles barefoot; don't ruin your nice shoes.
35. Buy nice shoes, you are on your feet all day and your feet will thank you.
36. Get massages, facials, pedicures, etc...you deserve it.
37. Change the oil in your car regularly.
38. It's not the end of the world, if your house isn't clean or the laundry isn't done before you go have some fun.  It will all be there tomorrow.
39. Experiences are more important than stuff.
40. Your thoughts DO effect how you feel.
41. You have to create the abundance in your life.
42. No one can FIX your issues, you have to do it yourself.
43. Movers exist for a reason, hire them.
44. Don't have expectations of anyone else - this is a hard one!
45. Life is too short sometimes but then in other ways, really long!
46. Pets are family members, period.
47. Loss is part of life but it really sucks.
48. No matter how long someone has been gone, you'll always miss them.
49. Life is a PRACTICE.

So here I am entering my 50th year on this planet and while I've learned so much, I know there is so much more to learn.  I look forward to the new lessons yet to come.  And I would love to hear some of your life lessons!