12 THINGS I WISH I KNEW AT 25 by Fr. James Matin, SJ

Came across this yesterday and just wanted a keepsake of it, something to look back on and read time after time.

1. Stop worrying so much. It's useless.
   
   
   
2. Being a saint means being you. Stop trying to be someone else and just be your best self. Saves you headache.
   
   
   
3. There's no right way to pray, any more than there is a right way to be a friend. What's best is what works for you.
   
   
   
4. Remember 3 things and save yourself lots of unneeded heartaches:
   
   
   
   1. You're not God.
      
   2. This isn't Heaven.
      
   3. Don't act like a jerk.
      
   
   
5. Your deepest, most heartfelt desires are God's desires for you. And vice versa. Listen. And follow them.
    
6. Within you is the idea of your best self. Act as if you were that person and you will become that person, with God's grace.
   
   
   
7. Don't worry too much about the worst that can happen. Even if it happens, God is with you and you can handle it. Really.
    
8. You can't force people to approve of you, agree with you, be impressed with you, love you or even like you. Stop trying.
   
   
   
9. When we compare, we are usually imagining someone else's like falsely. Therefore, our real life loses out. Compare and despair.
   
   
   
10. Even when you finally realized the right thing or the Christian thing to do it can still be hard to do. Do it anyways.
    
    
    
11. Seven things to say frequently: 
    
    
    1. I love you.
       
    2. Thank you.
       
    3. Thank you God.
       
    4. Forgive me.
       
    5. I'm so happy for you.
       
    6. Why not?
       
    7. Yes.
       
    
    
12. Peace and joy comes after asking God to free you – from anything that keeps you from being loving and compassionate.
    
    
    
    Sticks, stones & broken bones
    
    Meghann