Wow — this list was just “what the doctor ordered” on a rainy 9-11. Thanks Becky for writing it! If you like it too – head over to her website and take a look around!

I wish I’d known some of these things and lived by them in my 30s!

25 Things I Wish I’d Known in my 20′s – By Becky Waters

1. The only thing you have control over is yourself. Trying to control other people or things is a waste of time and energy.

2. Holding on to something or someone is the best way to lose it. The tighter the grip, the faster they run.

3. You create your life experiences one thought at a time. Thoughts affect perception, which affect choices, which create your life situation.

4. You are completely responsible for your life and how you choose to live it.

5. If you are unhappy with your situation, take action to change it.

6. How we feel matters. A thought with a feeling – a passion – behind it is like a beacon with a huge magnet shining out and drawing it to us.

7. Feeling sorry for yourself is addicting. It may be okay for a few minutes, but spending much more time than that will take you years – or decades – to recover from.

8. Whatever it is that we think about and give our attention to, we get more of. Even if we say we don’t want it.

9. That childhood saying about “stick and stones… and words can never hurt me” is a total lie and was created as a “nany-nany-boo-boo” to cover up the hurt that you’re feeling.

10. Every time you remember one of those “nany-nany-boo-boo” experiences and relive the hurt feelings, it is an opportunity for you to heal it and let it go. Buried feelings never die.

11. Giving and receiving are inseparable. They are two sides of the same coin.

12. In every human interaction, all anybody really wants is to be treated decently and with respect.

13. It’s okay to say “no” if you don’t want to do something. Saying nothing or being indecisive is the same thing as saying “yes”.

14. It is very important to be clear about what you want and what you don’t want. Otherwise, you spend a lot of time going in circles.

15. It’s okay to change your mind about what you want and don’t want – especially if what you thought you wanted is not working.

16. Happiness is an inside job. No one else can “make” you happy or unhappy, since happiness is mostly a matter of how we choose to perceive things and people.

17. Personal boundaries are not shackles. They’re a healthy sign of respect for ourselves and others.

18. We teach people how to treat us by the boundaries we set or don’t set.

19. If you don’t respect yourself, no one else will either.

20. Follow Mom’s advice to “just be yourself,” but don’t be surprised if she doesn’t always approve of the “self” you choose to be.

21. Needing other people’s approval – even your parents’ – keeps you from begin your real, true self.

22. There is enough of everything. It’s our fear of lack that keeps it from coming to us.

23. The first step to accomplishing anything is to believe in yourself and have the confidence to know that you matter.

24. You DO matter…. everybody matters….. or else we wouldn’t BE here in this world of “matter”.

25. The easiest way to get something is to ask for it. Then let go and allow the Universe bring it to you.

Becky Waters, Creativity/Life Coach and renowned musician and composer, is the founder of the Spiritual Coaching Center at www.spiritualcoachingcenter.com. Becky’s message of creative risk-taking, honoring our own unique gifts, and the passionate pursuit of our dreams leaves her audiences and clients inspired and ready for action! Contact Becky at (256) 348-5236 or by e-mail at becky@beckywaters.com. Visit Becky’s home website at www.beckywaters.com .

The nearest book

In the meantime, new composites are being devoloped each year that are stronger, more durable, and easier to work with. HOW TO FIND A MERCURY FREE DENTIST Even if a dentist claims to be mercury-free or holistic, you should interview your dentist about his methods and techniques. Dr. David Kenedy, a Sand Digo-based dentist adn nationally known expert on placing coposites, says that most composite fillings fail because they shrink after being installed. - from The Complete Guide to Natural Healing by Tom Monte and the Editors of Natural Health Magazine.

1. Grab the nearest book.2. Open the book to page 123.3. Find the fifth sentence.4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog along with these instructions.5. Don’t you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up
whatever is closest.6. Tag three people.

Truth is — the first book was :Energy Medicine: by Donna Eden –but there were drawings on page 123.

During the past few weeks its become increasingly clear to me that we really do get what we ask for. Unfortnately, most of these observations came while witnssing friends, colleagues and acquaintenances struggle with everyday living.

For example, when people tell me that they are constantly afraid to hire help because they just KNOW it’s a hassle, and disspaointing because there’s NEVER anyone good, or worthy, or reliable out there, I just cringe.

Because I KNOW that there are amazing, passionate, fun, motivated and action-oriented out there just waiting to work with and for me. And I’m right.

So I can only assume those naysayers are right too. For themselves.

People who whine about always being taken advantage of — well, usually are. This can of course play out in big and small ways. But basically, we keep getting what we concntrate on. Contrary to the movie of the same name, This is NO SECRET. It’s not double-secret-voodoo. It’s the way of the world. Why?

My belief is that the world is comprised of a bunch of energy. Energy gets put together in all kinds of ways, but, as in so many things “like attracts like.”

Admit it, the people you hang out with are a lot like you. Which is cool. Unless you don’t particularly enjoy their company. (amazing! but true! people hang out with friends that they don’t really like, admire, emulate and have fun with!!!)

If you don’t like what you’ve got? What would you like instead?

Go ahead, no one’s looking. write it down. Write down what you want. Believe its there for you.

This isn’t to say that just because I focus on “a million dollars in my bank account, free and clear, for me to spend, invest, and donate as I see fit” it will be there by close of business. But by concentrating on that image, and repeating it to myself when I think of it — i’m light years ahead of the days when I used to wake up in dread of the bill collector, and all the people who were so MEAN TO ME. (bosses, bus drivers, bouncers, pretty girls, cool guys, just about everyone I came in contact with except for bartenders). Back then I surrounded myself with other people who agreed that the world was going to shit and we were just pawns in the hand basket.

This indeed was a comfort zone of sorts. But hell, it wasn’t terribly fun. I used to sarcastically joke that I had a black cloud over my head. And guess what, to all intents and purposes, I DID. It was MY CLOUD. Oddly comforting — because then I didn’t have to try any harder, I didn’t have to go out and meet people, I could simply blame the world for my misfortunes.

At some point I decided to try an experiment and see if I could get out of the funk. I knew I was smart and funny — but through some various bad choices, I had snuffed my desire for learning and decided it was because I couldn’t handle it, becasue I wasn’t meant to. Lies.

So, the experiment is working.

I’m picking my life.

A friend recently commented, “I need to get you that Life is Good t-shirt — the one with the glass half full, because whenever I see it, I think of you!”

Yeah, I pick half-full. I have a great house, in the neighborhood I wanted to live in since I moved to the area nearly 12 years ago. I run my own businesses. I get to help other people every day.

And I work with the BEST, most passionate, fun, outstanding people in the country. Everyone that I get to work with is full of fun, warmth and “half-full” energy. Because I decided it would be that way.

Try it!

As always, your comments are welcome