25 Things I Wish I Knew 25 Years Ago

Here’s 25 things I wish I knew 25 years ago.

1. You aren’t who hurt you, but you can be stronger despite it.
2. You aren’t the pain inflicted by others, but you can still heal.
3. You’re not the way you were raised, but you can choose to raise your children differently.
4. You’re not your addictions, and you can overcome them.
5. You’re not who loves you, or even who doesn’t love you. Your worth isn’t based on earthly love.
6. You can’t buy love, earn it, or use it. It’s freely given by God.
7. Craving affection is a byproduct of past rejection. But no man will ever fill the hole inside your heart. Only God can do that.
8. Respect your body. It’s valuable. Clothe it like it is.
9. Don’t let anyone’s opinion shape your perception of yourself.
10. Make a mistake? It’s done. Learn from it, move on, don’t dwell. We’re not meant to  dwell on our missteps.
11. No substance can fix your problem, be it chemical, alcoholic, or even a tub of ice cream. When you wake up the next day your problem will still be there.
12. The only limits you have are those you put on yourself. If you believe you can’t then you won’t.
13. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t succeed at something you really want to do.
14. Don’t believe that just because something has been a certain way your whole life that it has to stay that way. Be the change.
15. Your upbringing, family name, or geographical location doesn’t equate to what you’ll be. Chains were made to be broken.
16. It’s not your fault. The bad stuff that’s happened in your life? Don’t waste time trying to place blame on yourself. Instead find healing and move forward.
17. Don’t allow your friends or relationships to change you. Stay true to your personality, not that of those you surround yourself with.
18. Don’t focus on the bad/sad things. Look closely for the good/happy things, and focus on that.
19. Look around and realize that someone has it worse than you, and that you have it better than many. Practice gratitude.
20. Realize the impact your words have. Choose them wisely.
21. Don’t strive to be a people pleaser. Be a God pleaser. If all is well with your soul then you’re headed in the right direction.
22. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes before speaking.
23. Don’t spend so much time seeking the compliments of others. They don’t make or break you.
24. Integrity matters.
25. Don’t sweat the small stuff. And in the grand scheme of eternal thinking, most of it is small stuff.

This article originally appeared at BrieGowen.com.