Today, I woke up with a full heart.
Today, I am walking alone and on my own two feet.
Today, I am thankful.
It sounds so silly and unremarkable, but let me explain a few things to you.
I’ve always been a happy one. I’ve always danced when music comes on, hugged when friends walk through the door and indulged in dessert whenever I have the opportunity. Yet, some days I ache. Somedays, I don’t want to get out of bed. I don’t feel good enough to put that tiny black dress on, and sometimes I just want to stand in the shower five more extra minutes because those extra minutes are time away from how busy life is.
All of these things are normal, but I have grown to value and treasure all of these things a little bit more these past three months.
Three months ago, I broke my ankle.
It’s pretty simple and matter of fact, right? Well, yes, you’re correct. Yet, something so simple has changed my life, my perspective, my heart and my viewpoint on things. I really want to share with you how I came to this conclusion. So, if you’re sitting there scratching your head, I ask that you please just hold on a few more extra minutes and read on.
Let me tell you the silly story first. It was a noon kickoff in the beautiful but rainy Beaver Stadium on a Saturday. I was with my two best friends, and we were ecstatic to be able to break away from the rowdiness of a crazy student section to get our chicken basket from the concession stands. As I was skipping backwards, yelling to my two friends about likely something ridiculous and related to food, I slipped on the wet ground and fell hard twisting my ankle. I did not hit my head on the way down, and I did not cry when I fell. Yet, I knew for a fact something was wrong and that my foot was not okay.
Sadly, I never got the chicken basket, but I did get an ambulance ride as well as some plates and screws in my foot from surgery.
It’s okay – you can laugh about it because what are the odds? A cute girl ending up in a big purple cast and a motorized scooter just for the goal of an $8 chicken basket.
Looking back now, I am reflecting on all of the events that happened in the span of the past three months of me being a pain in everyone’s butts.
I have endless stories that will make you laugh, cry and cringe, but I’ll save those for when I’m in my rocking chair sharing stories with my grandchildren. Instead, I’ll share some lessons I’ve learned from this experience.
1. Embrace every moment around you
Soak up every minute that you give yourself when you sleep in on Sundays, be thankful for the silence in the library when you are studying and the rowdiness in the commons when you are getting dinner.
2. Never belittle someone
You never know what someone else is going through externally or internally. You’re only lowering yourself when you belittle someone, and that is selfish.
3. Never say that you can’t
It’s simple. Two words that shouldn’t exist: can’t and impossible. Two words that are lies because anything is possible – it just depends how you go about it.
4. When someone asks you to do something, DO IT
It’s important to never miss out on an opportunity if it will positively impact you. Why say, “no,” when you can say “yes”?
5. Embrace everyone around you
Don’t waste a minute, whether it be catching up over coffee with an old friend or just on your way to class. Embrace the eye contact, and more importantly, be present in the conversation.
6. Hold your breath and bite your tongue
We can’t lie to ourselves about the truth. The truth is, a lot of people say some really stupid things sometimes. The truth is, you’re often going to disagree. But, it’s a matter of fact that sometimes it’s better to just nod your head and smile. When you disagree, just take what those people say with a grain of salt and move forward.
7. Make fun of yourself (always)
Things that are tough and frustrating always get easier when you make light of it. Most of the time, it’s important to never take yourself too seriously, and it’s always important to make yourself laugh. I think I am the funniest person alive, and honestly, that’s all that matters.
8. Eat food and never regret a bite of it
If you want that donut, and it has crossed your mind more than once… then hell, treat yourself to it! When you go home and your mom makes you your favorite meal, enjoy every single bite on every single bit of your taste buds. If you want to order that XL pizza at 3 a.m., DO IT and ENJOY IT.
9. Always get out on the right side of the bed
Every day is a new one. Yes, cliché, but it’s so true. It’s not worth taking your energy out on each bad day or moment. Think of it this way, your dog is never going to remember that you didn’t take him on his walk yesterday. He is still going to jump and give you kisses the next time he sees you, so why let yourself stay in a bad mindset every morning you wake up?
10. Accept compliments and be grateful for them
It’s weird. A lot of the time we aren’t thankful for the compliments we receive. In fact, we deny them. Next time you receive a compliment, say thank you and smile.
11. Give compliments and mean them
Don’t hand out compliments like you hand out candy on Halloween. Have purpose with your positive thoughts. Giving thoughtful compliments makes other people feel on top of the world and will make you feel good as well.
12. Never take things for granted
After a few bumps in the road, grow to appreciate the simplest things. Appreciate the tangible things like warm showers and sharpened #2 pencils but also awkward encounters with strangers, run-ins with your exes and deep conversations when you least expect it. Appreciate the fact that you can open the door for others, that you can go to the library to get a book for free, and that you can get a slice of pizza for only $1.