A Brand New Year! Hooray!

First off, Happy New Year! I chose this picture because I usually look like Charlie Brown looks in this photo when it comes to thinking about resolutions. I get it. The new year is like a blank-slate. The chance to do everything "right", or to do something "better". But, often, I think "right" and "better" are totally overrated and over-hyped. Especially when many people seem to be simply following the crowd when it comes to resolutions. 

I believe there are only two types of people in the world: Those that live their lives for themselves, and those that live their lives for other people. I want to live the life God intended for me, without worrying about boundaries that I've created based on others' opinions or ideas. Too often, we get wrapped up in trying to be perfect people. We are not perfect people, regardless of how often we hit the gym or eat a vegan diet, or get 10 college degrees. If you're creating your resolution based on what you think perfect should look like, my suggestion is to not bother. Make a resolution for you because it's something you strive for or desire. :-)

As far as my resolutions go, 2016 will be the year of reckless abandon and living dangerously. For me, living dangerously is not letting myself be pushed around, pushing myself to the limits, taking chances I never would have dreamed of, and attempting to write with that same passion, in addition to diving deeper into the Bible. 

This has been an eye-opening time of soul searching and discovery for me (I appreciate all the feedback I've received on yesterday's post in particular, by the way), and I'm having a blast considering and looking to what the future will hold for me. 

I am excited to greet 2016 with no regrets and nothing but optimism! And if you have resolutions this year, I wish you 2000% success with each of them!

Let your light shine bright in 2016! May you be safe, healthy, and happy!

Cheers! 

Life Lessons and Such.

Hi!
 
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kristen Nannini, author of No Man Sam, and soon-to-be author of a Young Adult trilogy which is currently nameless. :) I love to write, to reach people, to go to the beach, and to play with my rescue puppy, and hang out with my husband. Although I'm new to blogging, I'm also new to going to the gym and I'm hoping both new things in my life work out as favorably as those I've been doing for some time. Thanks so much for checking out my blog! I've tried this blog thing once before and didn't succeed. Now, like the gym, I feel I'm up for a challenge!
 
I wanted to come up with a list of things I've learned, and re-learned over the past several years. I think it helps to look at where I'm at now, versus where I've been and the lessons that have been learned along the way. I believe the past has a tendency to repeat and these lessons have proved beneficial to me, so hopefully this list will be helpful to someone else. I'm sure many might disagree with some of the statements below. If you disagree, feel free to comment. I would love to hear your opinions. I just hope something on this list hits home for someone. Hopefully what I've learned in my time on this earth will help someone else :)
 
1. True forgiveness takes a gargantuan amount of courage.
2. Love is all around us, as is God.
3. Taking time to figure out what someone else is thinking is useless. Just ask or move on.
4. Sometimes we hurt others unintentionally. If every possible effort has been made to mend fences, we must move on. Hurt feelings are valid, but if there is no sense of forgiveness or acceptance of remorse, moving on is the only option we have.
5. It is much easier to forgive an enemy than it is to forgive a friend.
6. Communication is the key to living harmoniously. If we close the door, there is no way for new ideas to flow, bridges to be built, or relationships to be strengthened.
7. When life gives you lemons and you've no where to turn, figure out how to get yourself out and then tell/write about it. Someone else will be in that same place in the future.
8. Just saying hello and checking in with someone on your mind can mean all the difference in the world.  
9. Hindsight is always 20/20 but if we choose to live in the past, we will never be able to live for today.
10. Love is an amazing thing. It grows and changes and sometimes seems to take on a life of its own. When someone seems to deserve love the least, that's usually when they need it the most.
11. Change is never easy, but it's inevitable. Embrace it and grow from it and you will never feel forced into anything.
12. Money is a vicious and lovely thing. Spend it wisely and be wise and save some too. You can never be too wise when it comes to money, but it's easy to become too careless. Take care of your money so you can take care of yourself.
13. Growing plants takes time and love. Growing weeds takes inaction.
14. Sometimes it's better to listen to someone who you believe is wrong than take the energy to prove them wrong. Sometimes people just need to be heard with no judgment.
15. Music is an awesome thing. It can raise you up or bring you down so many levels. Choose your music wisely.
16. Enemies are only yours when you choose to create them. Regardless of who you believe is your enemy, treat them with kindness and love. You may one day make a friend, but at the very least, will have no hate in your heart to consume you.
17. Respect is something that should always be given blindly. A homeless man deserves as much respect as a business man. I guarantee the homeless man will appreciate it more. Never take someone else's respect for granted. It is so easily lost.
18. Always put yourself in someone else's shoes. In most cases, I'm very grateful and thankful to be stepping back into mine. Appreciate every gift you have regardless of how small or insignificant that may seem.
19. Freedom is something we should never, ever take for granted.
20. Sometimes when bad things turn out exactly as you expected, it sucks to be right. At the same time it's an excellent opportunity to reflect on what you've learned. Maybe it warrants expecting something different/better.
21. Drunk driving is a horrible thing which often affects people who don't drive drunk or drink very little themselves. If you have a friend or family member that needs help, getting them that help could save an untold amount of innocent lives.
22. People aren't perfect. They make mistakes and screw things up. You are no better or worse than said "people". We are all beautifully and perfectly imperfect.
23. Sometimes there is nothing you can do or say to foster forgiveness. Then again, maybe the friendship was a farce in the first place or not worth the effort you applied.
24. Life ebbs and flows. It's always changing and never constant. Appreciate every sunrise and what God has given you.
25. Having the change to reach people through books is an amazing and powerful thing!
26. Growing older doesn't hurt.
27. Growing wiser is a blessing.
28. We are the creators of our own destinies. Take hold of what you love and never let go, regardless of what anyone thinks.
29. Great courage and resilience can often be found in a person who actively chooses to remain silent.
30.  Puppies are incredible creatures. It is a joy and a privilege to have one.

One pooped puppy :)

Thanks for visiting. Have an incredible day!