Things I've Learned So Far in my Thirties
Here are some conclusions that I have come to a couple years into my third decade.
Painting above: Self Portrait (c. 1934) by Georgette Chen
It will be my birthday in a few days! Naturally I'm feeling rather reflective and celebratory. Here is a list of a mix of conclusions I have come to about various things, and few observations about myself.
- Being right has very, very, rarely helped improve any of my relationships. Respecting people's choices has.
- I don't stand on ceremony much
- It is possible to get along with and even enjoy the company of people who have political and social beliefs that are the polar opposite of my own
- As it turns out, I am much more of a redneck than I would ever care to admit. You can take the girl out of the country...
- I have inherited a really messed up view of what forgiveness is. These quotes have helped me start to figure out what forgiveness is all about.
- Never say never. I don't take a lot of risks and I live a very predictable, routine life and still, somehow, I have come to realize that its best to never say never.
- I seem to work best with a messy, chaotic desk, no matter if I'm at work or at home.
- Love is always worth it, and for my money, it's the only thing that is always worth it.
- Always place your bets on the girls
Sit down with the Greeks and the Romans, and the boring answers get more interesting. Seasons because a girl and a crocus. Death because a girl and an apple. The moon because a girl keeps driving her daft chariot into the sea.
It's all down to girls, one way or another.
- from Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
This post was updated February 2022 to add two points
This post was updated again in September 2023 to add one point