10 Things #1 YOU

This morning about 2:09 a.m. (yes I know it was exactly that time because I was awake...awake...awake -- having sympathy sleeplessness for Auntie Tab I think or because my foot is numb and it hurts when I move just right err no just wrong!) I started reading another mommy's blog about the top 10 things she wants her almost 10 year old to always remember. Well this sparked something in me... I have a gazillion top 10's that I want to pass on. The wisdom it's a brewin' in my head; like the pot o' coffee at the end of the rainbow ah... no counter, I mean counter. Yes so my cup runneth over with plentiful knowledge of do's and do not's... have's and have not's... will's and wish's... ways to and ways not... so many top 10's in my head for my little people who live down the hall. My little people who live down the hall and make messes, make noises, make happiness, make music, make me feel complete. So, my top 10's... where to start... where to start. It's hard to rate what is most important in comparison to something else because right now at this very second with my runneth cup and rainbow ... I know it's just a matter of of choice...or maybe importance...

Naturally we must do the top 10 just like The Late Show with David Letterman  (he's a late night talk show host just for future reference; google him... ok hopefully google is still around when you're aloud to actually google freely, otherwise that might sound like one crazy statement one day.) 

Choice Top 10 #1: YOU!

10. BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE!  Never just go with the "masses" because the "masses" do it. If you want to march to your own beat; you DO IT! Never act one way with a certain person and act another way with someone else... always be who you are and you always be happy.

9. TRUST YOUR GUT! One day you'll learn what that truly means... the gut feeling is really a good indicator if it's morally right or wrong.

8. YOUR BODY IS YOUR TEMPLE! Never treat your body as anything but that! Eat well, keep moving, be honorable with what you choose to do with your body and how you choose to dress it. Your body is YOURS and ONLY YOU can decide what happens with it. You only have one life; one opportunity to make choices for your body that will make it healthy and strong... make choices that keep it that way.

7. REMEMBER YOUR BESTS AND FAVORITES ! We often talk about bests and favorites right now... I hope you always remember that every day has a favorite; a best... and these favorites and bests are because of you!

6. DO YOUR BEST DAILY! Achieving is believing...believing is seeing... and seeing is doing! You will never regret doing your best all the time. You will never look back when you're doing your best and think "I wish I would have." Your best will always be acceptable to daddy and I and those who love you. Your best is all anyone can hope for and you can strive for that.

5. TAKE TIME JUST FOR YOU! A good way to always maintain happiness is to take a few minutes out of every day just for you. For mommy this time comes first thing in the morning when everyone is asleep; or last thing at night when everyone is asleep... its during those moments that you can collect your thoughts... analyze your goals... review your day... laugh over a cup of tea at a silly book... or just take in the silence before your eyes close for the night. This time is important, even if it's only 10 minutes to just think quietly or listen to music... it revives you.

4. FIND SOMETHING THAT YOUR PASSIONATE ABOUT! A passion is important; it gives us drive to want to do something. Sometimes we find passion and want it to be our job... sometimes it's an organization or cause we have passion about. Sometimes it's political issues or helping others... there's lots of sometimes...never overlook that something; you will never regret being passionate! Sometimes it's that "odd man out" passion and that's okay too.

3. USE YOUR VOICE! Sometimes you'll use your voice when you're being passionate. Sometimes your voice is just as easy as your point of view. It's okay if your voice isn't overly loud... it's okay if it is... just let it be your perspective. YOUR thoughts and feelings! Never be afraid to voice it either; daddy and I are trying to foster your voice by letting you both give your thoughts, feelings and perspective politely on many topics... we do this a lot at the dinner table.


2. TRY OR LEARN SOMETHING NEW FOR YOU! Every new day is an opportunity to learn new things. New things can be hobbies, about places, things, people or animals too! Just try and find new information every day. We have always had lots of books of facts for you both to look through so we can learn new things together. Learning never stops... you will continue to learn throughout your life... it's just a matter of that learning -- and if the lesson was good or bad and what you take away from it.

1. YOU CAN NEVER BE SOMEONE ELSE'S HAPPINESS AND NO ONE CAN BE YOUR HAPPINESS! Please know that happiness is important; you make a decision every day to be happy. If we decided to be unhappy; then we are... if we decide to be happy we are. You are the ONLY person who can make yourself happy. If you rely on someone else to make you happy; you will be not be happy for long. Happiness is finding joy in every day, finding moments that make you smile. Happiness is around you... sometimes you have to accept or acknowledge the bad in order to move past it and see and experience the good Happiness! 

Okay there's one set of Top 10's ... more to come I'm certain. P.S. You both are my #1's! Just so you know.