Where is my firework show?

   If anyone finds themselves like me, your twenties are not exactly looking like you had hoped.   I always said I wish that they was a course at college called "What To Expect After the Diploma." You know a crash course in what to expect once you have the degree, and start planning your 'happily ever after". Class lessons would include  things I wish someone older could have taught me and my friends..
"What to do when you don't land the dream job"
"How to manage your finances when rent is more than your pay"
"It's your 25 birthday and you're still single"
"Engagement is off, how to start new"
"I landed the dream job and I hate it"


Years ago I wished someone would have offered this course to me, then I wished I could be the professor to educate and warn others about the terrible twenties.

But recently I am so thankful for my twenties and all the awkwardness that came with it. I am thankful no one warned me, I am thankful I didn't land the dream job, I am even thankful for the heartbreak.  I am thankful my first post grad job was making drinks at Starbucks. I am thankful my first house was with the funniest and most adventurous girls. I am thankful for failed relationships and even at times feeling I failed myself.  I would never want to try tell people shortcuts for these situations for in these difficulties we realized how truly brave we can be.

I realized I lived my early twenties waiting for my own private firework show. I spent my early twenties worried of what others thought, worried about failing and constantly playing the comparison game.

 I was waiting to be discovered when in reality your twenties are about discovering yourself. Discovering your inner strength, discovering your weakness, but truly about discovering your worth.

I asked several of my favorite girlfriends, those freshly in their thirties, what advice they would give the 25 year old version of themselves and here are some of my favorite answers.
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“don’t worry so much what people think does not matter. Work hard and follow your dreams.”

“do something that your future self will thank you for.. try new things, travel, fall in love, don’t be overcome with insecurities- you’ll only regret that. Also spiritually I would say that God's will always stands the test of time. Don’t force things that you may regret later, especially relationships w the opposite sex.

  “my best advice would be to live your life to the fullest. Live each day as if its last. Tomorrow is not promised. Always put God first and always make good choices. The choices we make when we are young are the choices that will affect the rest of our lives, if I could do it over again I would value myself more. I have grown so much in the last several years and now I can see what I am worthy of.. I would also say that people say your twenties are the best years of your life I disagree your twenties are good but your thirties are better, at thirty one years old I can say I feel a woman and like I'm  ready for whatever my future brings. The things I wanted in my twenties are not the same things I want in my thirties. I'm proud of who  I am  and what I have become.. its like a fine wine its gets better with age"

Looking back I realize some of the best firework shows were happening all around me.

Dear Twenty something, LIVE! Dream big! Be okay with failing, there is not one successful person that has not failed at one time. LOVE! Love yourself, be proud of yourself. Then go crazy loving others. Let's take advice from other women who have something to teach us.

As women we need each other. As Christian women let's change the tide and instead of comparing ourselves with others lets begin to reach out and uplift each other. Let's break down walls that we have formed between each other. As women we need to be fans of each other, find beauty in each other and help each other succeed.

Women let's live 2014, no matter our age. Let's enjoy our beauty and the beauty around us. Let's start to enjoy ourselves and enjoy our age. We only have one year as each number what will you do with your age and what will you do with 2014? Let's live it out together.