This right here is what is what is between me and happiness. A leaking skylight in my neurotic tenants apt.

Funny business, a woman’s career - the things you drop on your way up the ladder so you can move faster. You forget you’ll need them again when you get back to being a woman. That’s one career all females have in common, whether we like it or not: being a woman. Sooner or later, we’ve got to work at it, no matter how many other careers we’ve had or wanted. And in the last analysis, nothing’s any good unless you can look up just before dinner or turn around in bed, and there he is. Without that, you’re not a woman.

Beautiful people do not just happen.

(Source: sharlyneloraine, via acontrarybeauty)

Quiet as kept about 3  weeks ago I turned 28.  My initial reaction was YIKES!!!! I’ve not done enough on my list.  (Yes I have a list, its fluid and in some places shallow, and when we know each other better I’ll share.)

 I’m exited to get older.  Sure, it’s easy for me to say that when I’m turning 28 and not 48 but I like it.  I’m excited about my future experiences to come.  Hell I’m even excited about the possible failures and heartbreaks that the next year has to offer.   I’ve always tried to live by one word FORWARD, and though sometimes MANY TIMES, I forget it that one thought FORWARD has always lead me to great places. 

I recently had a conversation with a fried and she talked about life as a verb.  Every year is an opportunity to do this.  Live.  So in celebration of the 28 years I’m going to write my 28 things I’ve learned.

1.     Fuck em’ if they can’t take a joke

2.     Be kind, you never know what someone is going through

3.     Take the trip; buy the shoes;(don’t go broke doing this) but sometimes the experience is worth more than the money you spend on it.

4.     People are going to talk about you, and that’s fine

5.     Don’t be so judgmental, when you stop judging others you release yourself to be more of who you are

6.     Make a fool of yourself (learn to dance and get thrown across the room, learn to surf and almost drown)

7.     Call your friends, they love you and want to hear from you

8.     Ask for help. Then accept it when it is given

9.     When your big opportunity is there grab it and never apologize for doing so

10.   Be wrong, own it  

11. There is nothing weak about apologizing

12. Your feet aren’t small, your hair isn’t’ long, you aren’t skinny enough, but YOU are enough

13. You don’t need to shower every day (many will disagree here but I personally enjoy dirty Sundays)

14. Its ok to pass on the cheeseburger or the steak and have the salad or fish

15. Its ok to stay at home on a Friday or a Saturday it makes you no less cool

16. Sometimes drinks before noon are the best prescription

17. Sometimes things are only in your life for a short time for a reason

18. Laugh. Hard, loud and often!

19. Kids have way more wisdom than adults do

20. Listen more talk less, no one in the world has EVER been accused of listening too much

21.  Spa days are what God created to let us get a small glimpse of heaven.  If you have never had a massage, go get yourself one

22. Smile

23.  Accept the compliment.  Self-deprecation ruins compliments. 

24. Hugs are important, ask for one and give them often

25. Sometimes happiness is a choice

26. Accept criticism, but also consider the source.

27. Listen to those voices in the back of your head or those inspired thoughts, they could save your life.

28. Get off the bar stool and DANCE DANCE DANCE 

One of my favorite writers, James Baldwin.