the list before the Quarter Life

a friend of mine recently shared with me this article that was the source of her inspiration for her list earlier this year when she turned 26. today, i officially have 365 days left to learn it all before the Quarter Life comes. so here's some of mine with links back to the sources, in no particular order:

-- 25 things to learn and know before you're 25 --

1. God is ALWAYS faithful and sovereign.
2. You're not that old... realize that at age 25, most people around you still have lived longer and been through much more than you have. You really don't know anything-- stay humble, be a sponge, and be responsible for your mistakes.
3. Know your story. Start asking your parents and grandparents about your childhood and past. Identify the major stepping stones that got you to where you are today, and key moments that transformed who you are.
4. Invest in your friendships and keep in touch with your college friends who move away, and learn to run the race together. 
5. Get to know your parents as your companions and mentors, and be able to see eye-to-eye with them. Grow in building a mutual trust with them... they know and love you best, even if it doesn't always seem like it. But they really do genuinely want the best for you. 
6. You still can do what you're passionate about as your career. It's not too late to go back to school or switch jobs.
7. Develop a discipline of reading the Bible on your own regularly, growing spiritually without depending on someone spoonfeeding you. Also, how to respond to scripture through prayer.
8. It's okay to go a day without showering.
9. Enjoy your singlehood. You will never get these years back again once you get married and have children.
10. Don't waste more than 5 minutes getting ready to leave the house. You don't need to wear make up to work.
11. How to build up community and invest the local church... by being actively involved in church community. 
12. It's okay to not always be busy. Be still and know that he is God. Schedule regular sabbaths/retreats with God and guard that time selfishly.
13. Time is on your side. Don't rush into relationships without first fully considering the other person.
14. Personal budgeting is important, as is knowing how to save. Stay far away from debt, and also know how to do your own taxes. Personal wealth is all about knowing how to save, not how to make money. 
15. Everything belongs to the Lord, for he gives and takes away... so learn how to tithe. 
16. How to resolve conflict and how to build strong communication skills.
17. Do you have a [solid] mentor? (Worth listening to: 3/8/2009 sermon from P. Jae Park.)
18. How to talk to strangers. This is an important life skill in general, but especially if you call yourself a Christ-follower.
19. You are not the only single person left in America.
20. How to be a better listener. If you haven't read it yet, get your hands on this book. 
21. Planning is far from foolproof, because you aren't in control of your life. It will never happen exactly as you plan or want. (If it did, we'd all be too bored.) Learn how to deal with it, and not complain, because there will always be necessary things that we have to do in life that won't excite us.
22. Learn how to live your life with purpose.
23. Your non-negotiables. (But please, ditch "the list".)
24. Your identity in Christ. 
25. Give yourself grace. Kelly Soifer says, "As believers we are often exposed to (or perhaps went to school with) so many extraordinary speakers and leaders who are doing really impressive things in the name of the Lord: starting non-profit agencies, writing books, speaking to thousands, going to prestigious grad schools...But let's be honest: the majority of us will be ordinary people who simply need to invite the extraordinary God to work through us in the daily stuff of life." 

And lastly, I leave you with this today, as I celebrate: 

....love it!! 
aaand.. I'M 24!!! :o)