A few months ago, a friend of mine turned 30 and published a list of 30 things he’d learned in 30 years. I thought the idea brilliant so, today, on my 30th birthday, I am pleased to share my own list. I’d like to thank my parents for imparting the majority of these lessons on me and, therefore, ensuring I become a kind and functional member of society.

1. God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to earth to become man, die for my sins, and rise again after 3 days, so that I may have access to eternal life. Believing this is the only path to heaven.
2. Life is not always easy, but the challenges and difficulties of life are made easier if you believe in something bigger than yourself.
3. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn how to live independently.
4. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn that you need people, too.
5. You cannot become a fully functioning adult unless you learn how to deal with conflict properly.
6. Nothing good happens after 2 am.
7. Being drunk is not nearly as fun as the movies make it out to be.
8. Learning how to say “no” is a surprisingly invaluable life skill.
9. Being a good leader is about elevating others, not yourself.
10. A good education is a necessity for success on a personal level and for society as a whole.
11. College isn’t for everyone, and it’s harmful to keep pushing the idea that it is. There’s nothing wrong with alternative paths (military, trade school, work, etc.), and treating people who didn’t go to college like they’re not as smart is wrong.
12. Taking care of your physical health matters. You can’t just eat whatever you want, never exercise, and expect to be able to keep up with your toddler at the playground for an hour.
13. The three best things you can do for your mental health are to take care of your physical health, read books, and go to therapy.
14. If you’re having a bad day, wash your face and put on a little lipstick.
15. Those who pass on continue to live on if we share our memories of them.
16. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs on the planet. Way too much is asked of teachers for way too little in return.
17. Money is cool, but doing something you’re passionate about makes life easier. Pick a job you enjoy.
18. Falling in love is one of the most exciting things humans get to experience.
19. Love is a feeling but, more often than not, it’s also a choice. Sometimes the people you love will be irritating, and you have to choose to keep loving them anyway.
20. There is nothing more beautiful than holding your sleeping child. There is nothing more joyful than hearing your child’s laugh.
21. No one who is a parent actually knows what they’re doing. It’s mostly blind guesswork and gut instinct.
22. Having a child doesn’t mean your life is over.
23. Women are extremely powerful creatures.
24. Being a lifelong reader has many benefits: you’ll be happier, be a better writer, be more successful at both school and work, be more empathetic, live longer, and keep your mind sharp in old age. All of these things are supported by legitimate academic research.
25. Bragging about how little you read doesn’t make you cool. It only makes you look ignorant. When you say you don’t have time to read, you really mean you don’t prioritize it.
26. Your faith should inform your politics and not the other way around.
27. You can save so much money by choosing to cook at home and pack your lunch for work.
28. International travel is a privilege everyone should have the chance to experience.
29. You get to a point in life when you’re too old to sleep on something that isn’t a bed (futon, floor, chair, couch, etc.) without consequence.
30. If you aren’t empathetic, you’re nothing.

What would you add to the list? –M