Secrets of Adulthood

Good friends of ours recently celebrated the 18th birthday of their oldest child.  To honor the occasion, another good friend had the wonderful idea of collecting our own version of "Secrets of Adulthood" (from The Happiness Project). 

Here are mine:

1. Just in Time - things have a way of showing up just when you really need them - not when you thought you did.  Be patient, relax and see advice #2
2. Have Faith - it may not turn out the way you think it should at the time, but it will be fine - and may even take you to new places that expand your horizons.
3. Follow the Instructions - if you really do, it usually comes out the way its supposed to.
4. When in doubt, take a deep breath, get grounded, and then listen to the teacher inside you.
5. Stay on it - the little baby steps really add up.  And can create momentum.
6. Participation makes life more fun.
7. Absolutely nothing can change or take away the love that your family and real friends feel for you.  And that is all that is important.
8. Ask for what you want.  Get clear, be concise and direct - and use your words to ask for what you want - whether it's to a person or to the universe - put it out there.  If you don't ask - no one will know what you want.

These last few years have been really hard for so many families and communities.  The impact of the economy has pushed people to the edge.  I have had occasion to rely on all of my "secrets" time and again.  They are what has gotten me through.