Observations at 21

In about a month, I'll be 22. This means only one thing: I won't be 21 anymore.

Senior Facebook album description of my 21st year and my Senior year of college:

It's happy, it's sad, it's fun, it's scary, it's exciting, it's Alabama Football, it's my 21st year, it's good times, it's tradition, it's fun people, it's lessons learned, it's good nights, it's friends and family and friends that are more like family, it's oh... so... much more. Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life!

I don't expect my 22nd year to be any different. In fact, it just may be filled with even more. For a girl who's spent most of her life waiting to be a grown up, my take on life is much different than ever before. Life experiences change you. You realize that all you've been waiting for has become here and now. And here and now is what truly counts. I wish I would have told 15-year-old Leigh that a long time ago. Here's what I hope my 21-year-old self will remember about what I've learned and all the learning I've got left to do.
 

Never stop learning. You never will, so don't even try. It makes you better. It teaches you. It makes you feel alive. Learn how to host the perfect dinner party. Learn how to sew. Learn the art of conversation. Learn to see yourself as beautiful. Learn how to brand yourself. Learn all the things you've always wanted to learn, but didn't make the time for. Learn to make crafts. Learn to do everything proficiently and efficiently. Good men do exist. You've had one. You've known many. So when you're 22 or 25 or 28 don't say they're not out there. Because they are. You can't say that until you're into your 30th year, okay? Good men want good women. There's your sign, when the time comes. Don't let yourself believe it, ever. Believe it or not, you are FREE to do what you want... right... this... minute. You're free to be comfortable in your own skin. To love, to give and to receive. To laugh. To travel where you want to go. To trust yourself and others. You're free to find yourself. To make mistakes. To learn. You're not waiting on anything, like you think you are. Go, be and do. Know the difference between what you need and what you want. You don't need a man. You want one. Or you will want one again. You don't need to know your life plan right this minute. And it may be fun to not want to know it either. You don't need anyone to make you feel worthy. You should want God to be the only one to do that for you. You can have what you want and what you need. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Stop waiting, baby girl. Stop waiting for what's next. Live right now. Yes, right this minute. Without a job, without a boyfriend or a fiance or a husband, without your own place, without a new car and without a life plan.  All that truly matters is what you're doing right now. Stop waiting for something else. Live here and now. And Leigh, be honest about yourself.  You're stubborn. You have a wild streak. You wear your heart on your sleeve. You're flawed. You're learning yourself all over again. You're kind and you really, truly care. You feel things deeply.  Never apologize for who you are. Don't make apologies for knowing what you want. A good husband, children and a house full of dogs. A boat. Who would apologize for wanting a boat? A vacation, undivided attention, and an extensive collection of wine and music from Van Morrison and Jamey Johnson to Jimmy Buffett and George Strait. No complacency. No medicrity. Your independence. You can, in fact, change your decisions. There's a saying in the "Sweet Home Alabama" movie about how Southern women have to make all the wrong choices before they make the right one. You're Southern, you're a woman. I'd say that explains everything. Change your mind about your weekend plans. Chance your stance. Make a decision to change something about yourself. It's okay. Go ahead. It's in you. Everything you do affects someone else. Truthfully, I only like to believe this 50% of the time. The other 50% I like to believe this isn't true. Oh, but it is! Every day we make decisions. Each time, someone else will feel the repercussions, good or bad of that decision. This has (and I hope it continues) to make me think about the decisions I make. Own what's yours to own. Nothing more and nothing less. Lately, I've had to make life decisions and accept consequences that came along with those decisions. I've come to the realization that when I mess up, I've got to own that, accept it and hold myself accountable for it. But that's it. When it's not within my control or of my own doing, it's not mine to own. Know weh it's someone else's deal and when it's your own. Always look on the bright side, darlin'. When you're having a bad day, look for the good. A rainbow. A positive in a negative situation. Sunshine. Good news. Something you laughed about last week, last month or years ago. A feeling of contentment. Find glimpses of hope, even when it doesn't seem like it's there, it will be. Just look around.