24 Life Lessons on My Birthday and Pancakes

Happy Birthday Me!!

Today is the day I age by a year……

(photo credit, my hubby)

I love birthday’s, not because of the cake and gifts (although those are great!!) but because it’s a day to celebrate my life and the years I have lived, while blessing the years to come. Birthday’s in our family are special and important, and I am blessed to have my parents in town for mine.

For my birthday I wanted to do 24 life lessons (in other words what I have learned in my short time of living). I keep telling everyone I am turning 26. I don’t know where I got that number. I guess I feel 26 more than I do 24..? My supervisor at work asked how old I was months ago and I couldn’t remember my age. I said “I think 25.” She looked at me like I was crazy and asked “when were you born?” I replied with the answer and she said “Bryanna you are 23 not 25.” That was embarrassing. One things certain, I learned my real age…..lol

My 24 Life Lessons 

1. Family is Forever – My family will always be a huge part of my life and will never cease to exist.
2. God is my number one source of Joy and Happiness – No one else can bring you happiness like our Heavenly Father can. He’s the only perfect being, so He never disappoints.
3. Prayers have Power – I have more examples than one I could share on how much power my prayers have had in the past 24 years (these prayers gave me new incredible friendships and an amazing husband to name a few).
4. Miracles are Real – In my own family I have witnessed many miracles. From my younger sister being born deaf to having completely restored hearing, to diseases completely healed in my own body.
5. Marriage is Both Challenging and Rewarding
6. Sometimes Laughter is the Best Medicine
7. Our God is BIGGER than Our BIGGEST problems -Time and time again I am amazed by the power of God and the strength, wisdom and love He so freely gives.
8. Failures can Be the More Rewarding than Achievements – Sometimes it’s those failures that help bring growth and strength. In our failures we learn to have Faith and Believe.
9. Running creates New Friendships that Grow into Lifelong Friendships – Being apart of team #HighNuun for two Ultra Relays introduced me to 5 amazing women who have changed my life and will forever be treasured!!
10. If you Believe You can Do a 5 Minute Plank You CAN – I never thought that was physically possible until I believed I could do it and I tried!!                   
11. An attitude of Gratitude is Worth It
12. Dancing is Good for The Soul and Your Mood – I can’t help but smile when I see others dancing or when I dance. My husband pretends he doesn’t know me, but it makes him smile 😉
13. Nieces and Nephews are Precious Gifts/Blessings – Really all children are blessings!!
14. Self Talk is Important in Creating/Shaping Self Image – You can destroy and breakdown or build up and encourage with your words. “Life and Death are in the Power of the Tongue.” – Proverbs 18:21
15. Not Every Run is a Run to Write Home About  – There’s definitely days of cursing the name of running.
16. Not Every Recipe You Create Will Taste Good – sadly it’s true, ask my hubby!!
17. Setbacks and Challenges Make Us Stronger – If there were no challenges in life, there would be no growth and where’s the fun in that.
18. Everyday is a New Day to Be Thankful – because we have SO MUCH to give thanks for
19. Love is a Choice – It’s easy to love when the conditions are perfect, but when it’s someone difficult it’s tough; this is where we have to chose to love!! Love is more than just a feeling…if that were the case I wouldn’t always “feel” love towards my family and even husband. Pretty sure that’s not God’s design for love.
20. You can’t overuse the words “I Love You” – Chose to Say it ALL the TIME!!
21. Chocolate can fix almost anything – It’s true try it 😉
22. You Have to First Set Goals Before You Can Achieve Anything – If you don’t a have goal, you lack a drive to accomplish anything
23. Forgiveness Brings Freedom
24. Our Decisions Determine the Direction of Our Lives – Every decision leads to something new and better (and maybe even challenging) or to something painful and regrettable. If I wouldn’t have chosen to attend Gonzaga University 6 years ago, I don’t know if I would have ever met my husband Marc. Our decisions are more important than we believe them to be.

I have to be honest, I had to cut some out so I wouldn’t go over 24, but since I think I am 26, I will add a P.S. 😉

25. Worry won’t Make Any Situation Better or Go Away – There is so much in life I have learned to just let go of, it’s just not worth worrying/stressing over and wasting time over.

26. Believing and Keeping the Faith Never Disappoints but brings Rewards – During the hard times it’s our Faith that gets us through, knowing God never breaks His promises. Faith and Believing motivates us to push through.

With age I learn more and more and begin to realize what’s more important in life. Life goes by so fast, we don’t have time to dwell on the negatives.

I am so blessed and thankful for all those in my life who have helped to encourage me and challenge me. I don’t even know where to begin in thanking people.  From those at work to those on the inter-webs, all have been amazing and have blessed me more than they’ll/you’ll ever know!!

On a less emotional note, you have to try these pancakes!! I love pancakes so I thought I would share our latest recipe. Marc made these last Sunday after our run.

Flourless Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Vegan & GF)

Simple, savory and wholesome. don’t skip the chocolate either friends….you deserve it!!

Thank you friends, family, and blog followers for all your inspiration!!

Be Whole and Be Fit!!