Things I've Learned in 25 Years

I ran across my old blog the other day. I haven't blogged since my first year of law school. Basically, I got really busy my last two years of law school and didn't have much time to blog. Now, I'm thinking about starting it up again. Two years ago, when I turned 23, I posted 23 things I'd learned in life up to that point. I am republishing that post, and adding 2 things to that list because I am now 25....

Things I've learned in 25 years:

1. Life without love is pointless....love your friends, neighbors, enemies, and yourself...in that order. Living without love is like living in a silent film when you could be in a modern motion picture.
2. You learn more from those who disagree with you than those who agree.
3. Nothing worthwhile comes without a fight...not relationships, not careers, and not education.
4. Think. I have learned more about my faith and my life in general by questioning...living a life without questions is a shallow existence.
5. It takes a long time to build someone up and a short time to tear someone down..."it only takes one tree to make a thousand matches, and it only takes one match to burn a thousand trees"
6. You can't trust depressed people.
7. Listen more than you speak. I've learned a lot more in life when I listen to others whether it is a friend or a law professor than when I speak myself.
8. Your Word is your greatest commodity...value and protect it and in all circumstances keep it.
9. Those who are easily offended are generally ignorant.
10. You can do anything you put your mind to...therefore be careful what you put your mind to.
11. Don't let others define you...you were given control over youself for a reason. Submit to authority with caution. Pick your Church, political group, and friends wisely.
12. Be genuine. Only then can you love yourself and in turn love others.
13. It is better to be by yourself than to be a part of a group that tries to control you.
14. Emotion and reason must be equally balanced. Sacrifice reason and you are exposed and vulnerable...sacrifice emotion and you live a boring life without passion.
15. Do not be easily swayed by large movements. Bandwagoning generally leaves you blind to truth and full of future regret.
16. When you try to determine whether something is important in your life, view it as if you were on your death bed...is it still important?
17. Put others before yourself...life is not rewarding unless you do.
18. Worrying is worthless...it keeps Tums in business...other than that, worthless.
19. Materialism is the sin of America...always put people above things.
20. Lead by example...never ask those you lead to do something you wouldn't first do yourself. Lead by working closely along with those who are following.
21. I have read Aristotle and Plato, but I find the greatest practical example of the perfect existence in Jesus...that's why I follow him.
22. Learn from the mistakes from others and don't be afraid to make your own. Inaction due to a fear of mistakes is a tragedy.
23. At 23 I still "know" virtually nothing...and when I die, I will probably "know" less.
24. Balance is necessary in life. You were born with a body, mind, and spirit...you must exercise all three to be a survivor in this world.
25. Courage is knowing what you have to do, being afraid, and doing it anyway.