It has become a bit of a tradition, here on the #mnbucketlist, on big milestones and birthdays, I impart some of what I’ve learned. Last year, I wrote about how hard thirty was. And about becoming more of yourself, unapologetically. Embracing the ambiguous and loving the people in your life. Years ago I was told that my 30s will be much easier than my 20s and, I couldn’t imagine that being true. Alas, they are. Here are a a few of this things I know so far:

• The books you read, the wisdom you absorb, the people who you love and give your attention and heart to… it will matter. Even if it feels like it won’t, give it time.
• It is amazing how much more ‘you’, you can become. When you start giving yourself permission to create boundaries and distance. closeness and attachment, ‘you’ begin to emerge.
• Kindness is the most powerful form of currency and has, by far, the biggest rate of return. Take a real interest in those around you – in their dreams, broken and intact, and know what they love and need.
• Have the courage to be the backbone, the wishbone, the cheerleader, the mother hen, the spectator, the naysayer, the calming voice, the best friend.
• Lake water is a cure-all. Any of the 11,842 will do.
• Don’t take the world or what it’s inhabitants do, think or say personally. Entitled to an opinion, yes. Owed your friendship and attention, no.
• Take your grandparents to lunch. They will be the envy of all their friends and you will learn a lot about what makes you the person you are. My laugh came from my Grams and my love of hugs and old cars came from my Grandpa.
• Be really brave whether that is your heart, your education, your family, your checkbook, your insecurities, your hopes, your passions or maybe just your apprehension about eggplant.
• You are responsible for you. Your behavior and actions towards others matters and that kind of power shouldn’t be taken lightly. Every person you meet on your journey (physically, mentally or spiritually) is to be valued – regardless of whether or not you agree with their ideals.
• Don’t be around people that gripe, fuss, or complain about or to you. Choose to be free of those things. You decide who to engage with and who not to.
• Go out of your way to be genuinely happy and make others so.

For those who have been with me over the last year, what have you learned?