Powerful life lessons
Good morning. I’ve been thinking about how birthdays have a way of slowing us down.
Not because of the cake or the candles, but because they ask us a question we don’t think about often:
How am I spending this one beautiful life?
The older I get, the more I care about being present for the people I love, learning something new, and collecting moments that matter.
Today’s table has both the reflective and the playful. Because at 41, I’ve learned you need both.
Let’s gather.
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TABLE WISDOM
“Perfect is an illusion that keeps good people from doing outstanding things.”
— Jenn Kropf
Delisa says, “We used the Summer Family Feud for a game night with church leaders. We shared plenty of laughs and light-hearted team spirit!”
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Who’d survive on a deserted island?
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SITTING WITH THIS
I just turned 41, and I always feel a bit reflective around my birthday.
So today and tomorrow, I’d like to do something a little different.
I’m sharing 41 things I’ve learned in my time on this earth. They are simple reminders for us sitting at the table today. And what I try to teach my own children too.
1. Life is measured in moments. Not the biggest house. Or the fancy stuff you have. But the memories. What will your kids, friends, grandkids, or partner remember about you?
2. Nature is where your soul goes to rest.
3. The stories you tell yourself become who you are. Choose your thoughts wisely.
4. Choosing your own path can be lonely and misunderstood. It doesn’t make it wrong. It probably makes it right.
5. Unplug often. It’s the only way to experience your life.
6. Do the right thing. Even when no one is watching.
7. Raising children is exhausting in many ways. You will feel crazy more than you feel sane. You will worry you’re failing. It’s because, if it’s the path you choose, it’s the most important thing you’ll ever do.
8. Give yourself grace. Every hard thing you do in life (including raising kids) will be messy. “Perfect” is an illusion that keeps good people from doing outstanding things.
9. Find stillness in your day. It’s the only way you’ll hear your own voice above the noise.
10. Busy does not mean productive. Most people run around distracted by their phones, gossip, and activities. Everyone is busy. But are you making progress?
11. Think for yourself. We now live in a world of people who only think as social media and news tell them to think. Be different.
12. To grow anything, you’ll need to work twice as hard as you think you will. And think twice as big as you’re comfortable with.
13. The only way to fail is to quit. The rest is just learning. And the learning that hurts the most is usually what teaches you the most.
14. Set boundaries. Say no. To things you don’t want to do. To drama. To anything that takes you away from the few important things in your life that matter. It’s harder than it sounds, but it’s the only real way to build a life you love.
15. Hug. Say I love you. You never know what can happen.
16. Put your phone down when you’re in the presence of others. It shows respect to the human beings in the room.
17. An idea is not a business. Ideas are exciting and fun. But until you do the work, they are only ideas.
18. Count your blessings as often as you can. What you focus on grows.
19. Laughter is the best medicine. Always.
20. Not everyone will like you. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you will be free.
21. Never let your money be your master. Buy what you can afford at every stage of life, so that you never have to stress about your next dollar.
That’s the first 21. Tomorrow I’ll share the rest, including the one I had to learn the hard way before it finally stuck.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
What matters more to you now than it did five years ago?
CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK
Pull everyone together for one family night to soak in the last days of summer.
AFFIRMATION OF THE WEEK
I make time to slow down and connect.
MORE FROM THE TABLE
This is the last week the Summer Six-Pack will be in the shop.
Six games – including Friendly Feud, Trivia, & Summer Who is Most Likely. One download. Hundreds of readers have already played.
Perfect if you’re looking to get off of screens and ads. Just summertime laughs before school begins again.
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON
What popular United States sites are the busiest in July?
Find the July Trivia Answer at the bottom of the email.
TABLE TALK
At my funeral, please take the bouquet off my casket and throw it in the crowd to see who is next.
Trivia answer: U.S. National Parks
Forty-one years in and still learning. I hope you found something that sticks with you today.
If you have anything at all you’d like to share, ask, or say, just hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.
I appreciate you!
See you tomorrow at the table,
Jenn Kropf
Founder of Healthy Happy Impactful