b'Cowgirl With A Pen44 AND A FEWLessons LearnedBy Naomi LoomisPlease follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @thecirclelranch. Visit our website at thecirclelranch.com and send any comments to Loomis489@yahoo.com. I would love hearing from you.M arch is my birthday month, and to be honest Jesus is the answer.Believe the best about people, dont assumeIm happy to embrace being another year older.(John 14:6) the worst.Laugh lines, sun spots, calloused hands and loose skin are surface signs that Ive lived well!All encouragementDrink water every day.emboldens us toIm a big birthday fan. I think birthdays arestand tall and reachTake photos and videos.important to me because growing up, my parentsfor our dreams.and grandparents celebrated our birthdays to the Too much busyness drains our energy and fullest extent. I mean when it was your birthday, you Solid advice for all sidetracks us from our God given purpose.got a special birthday breakfast, my grandma andrelationships: Do tograndpa would rush over and give us a present andothers whatever youDo more things that are free, like reading good loves. Then we were celebrated all day long! would like them to do book, a good walk, a good hug, or a good friend.to you (Matthew 7:12)I believe that birthdays are important to us all. Fresh air can never be replaced and neither can the Birthdays give us all an opportunity to reflect. I Laughter is necessary for life. beach with sand in your toes and sun in the sky!thought Id share a handful of lessons Ive learned!! (In no particular order.)Youre not defined by your last mistake.I have learned that competition today is very rarely as useful as cooperation. Our societyLove is a choice, not a feeling, a mere emotion, or Living a life of prayer is our lifeline, foundationnowadays is geared toward competitionrip a passionate pursuit. True love does hard things,and first defense, not our last resort. each others throats out, survival of the fittest, stands firm in messy situations, and forgives. Trueon and on. But I believe that God wanted us as love is commitment.Change is uncomfortable. Lean into thehumans to work together for the survival of the discomfort, the pay-off is immeasurable. tribe, and cooperation pools our resources and allows everyone to contribute what they can. ItBe an example, even when no one is looking. requires a whole other set of people skills to work cooperatively, but it is well worth the effort. Thoughtfulness is underrated. Limit screen time. I mean I get it, it is importantPerseverance is what hope looks like in real life.but honestly it is okay to leave your phone or (Erwin McManus) computer on silent to enjoy the folks and things around you. Look up and about. The views areCoffeethe best motivator there is. better when you look up, for sure.Marriage is sustainable with commitment, If you want to influence people, learn to listen laughter, and a fierce friendship. with the intent to understand. Stephen Covey Be a life-long learner. Dont stop learning.Always trust your gutit knows the answer! Ask for help. It is always okay to ask for help.We are all imperfect. I have learned that it is important to embrace our imperfections. NoneGods grace empowers us to live a life worthy ofof us has it all together and it is easier to embrace our calling. them and share them with others.Humility trumps self-importance every time.When we avoid, we lose our "why." We lose a sense of passion and purpose. Its the little things that matter. Google really doesnt know everything. AsDrink the wine! Eat the red velvet cake and eatsomeone that knows. Dont overdo GOOGLE. beef! It is pretty simple.No matter how hard things get, youll survive.Dont give up on emotional and relationalAnd when you DO, youll have a new found wholeness. (Proverbs 12:15) appreciation for life. Buy the swimming suit, wear the shirt. It looks Failures are the finger posts on the road to amazing on you. achievement. C.S. Lewis14 March 2023'