In a couple of months I reach a milestone birthday.

And my body already indicates I am getting older. My knees ache some times and I had to give up my beloved coffee because it affects me in negative ways. I have also succumbed to the generally older person trait of getting up ungodly early, even on weekends.

However, in my mind I still feel like the same person I was when I was 16. I still put my foot in my mouth way to often and laugh too loud.

When I was younger I hoped by the time I reached this age, I would be wise. I would understand where I was going and how to get there. Unfortunately, with age comes the knowledge of all the things you don’t know. Perhaps that is wise but it doesn’t feel like wisdom.

I also hoped that by this age I would be in a stable place. I would have the job I was going to have for a while and live in a home I would live in for a long time. Neither of these things seems true or even reachable now. My life is shifting and I have to move with it.

I have learned a few things as I have gotten older.

1. Everything happens for a reason. The problem is you often can’t see the reason at first which is upsetting, frustrating and annoying.
2. You never know what’s going to happen. This is also upsetting, frustrating and annoying.
3. The thing you worry/stress about the most will end up being no big deal. It’s the thing you didn’t even consider that will bitch slap you.
4. You must learn to laugh at yourself. If you take yourself too seriously, you will spend a lot of your life really miserable.
5. Naps cure all ills.