I’ve been on a pretty big learning curve this year. Seems every person I’ve run in to has shared some sort of interesting insight or tale to tell that has unduly influenced me.  Here now are just a smattering of the pearls of wisdom I’ve gleaned over the last twelve months:

“You’re dead a lot longer than you’re alive.” — A member of the clergy pointed this out to me and reminded me to live life every day with no regrets, few limits and an unbridled lust for life.

“Nike’s motto: Just Do It. My motto: Just Shut Up.”, A steadfast friend told me this earlier in the year. Seems I have a tendency to interrupt guests, friends, Romans and countrymen. “You can’t possibly be listening if you’re thinking about what to say next … now can you?” he asked.  “Stop butting in and blurting things out.”  Point taken.

“Worry causes stress. Stress causes wrinkles. And at your age, you can’t afford any more of those lil’ suckers.”, said a pal of mine who shall remain nameless. I’ve learned, through trial and error, that worrying about things you can’t control is futile.  And that’s pretty much 95% of the things in the universe.

“Don’t humblebrag. Period.”, this nugget came from a co-worker of mine who noticed how smarmy I was getting.  Before March, I didn’t even know what “humblebrag” meant. Now I’m mindful not to be boastful or gleefully gloaty. Makes sense.

“Always wash your face at night. Always.”, Truer words have never been spoken …. courtesy of my aesthetician.

“Advice is always out there if you want it. You should probably want it more often.” — My friend Tracey speaks the truth. My friends only want the best things for me, thus, they’re not gonna tell me what I want to hear. They’re going to remind me how I could epically eff something up if I’m not careful.

“Spend more time with people that mean something to you … or kill yourself trying.”, One of my relatives drilled this into my head over the last year.  It’s been my saving grace for the last 365 days.  Out with the new … in with the old … uh, friends that is.

So there you go, my faithful readers … words to live by in 2014.  Can’t wait to see what this year has in store and what I learn in the months to come.