what i have learned....

most things are complicated.
most people are complicated.
sooner or later, you have to learn to be assertive.
you really only need a few good friends.
the amount of thanks you gave your mother for cooking is directly related to the amount of thanks you'll get from your own kids.
no matter what you think you will be sad when all your children leave home.
being right is less important and valuable than you ever thought it would be.
grownups get mad at kids for making messes, but nobody makes bigger messes than grownups.
there are too many occasions where there is very little you can do to help. :(
just when you think you've got it all figured out, everything changes.
nothing is black and white. nothing.
you will continue to be haunted by everything you swore you'd never do as a parent.
people can change, but you can't change them.
sometimes life is absolutely terrifying.
the most valuable skill you will ever develop is listening, followed closely by shutting up.
you're going to feel ambivalent about a lot of things.
no matter how old you get, there are still times when all you want is your mom.
emotions are transient. let them come and go.
worry is a robber.
you are going to change a lot of toilet paper rolls, diapers, and trash can liners.
swearing, when saved for special occasions, can really make you feel better.
it's completely, 100% okay and normal to doubt.
it's virtually impossible to leave the house without spending at least $40.
you really don't need all that stuff.
but buying stuff really does seem to make you feel better sometimes.
watching the news is only occasionally beneficial.
no good has ever come from the word "upgrade" especially as it relates to software.
every time you turn around, some organization will be asking for your money.
you will continually surprise yourself at your ability to waste time.
there is freedom in accepting that life is uncertain and unfair.
it's good to say no sometimes.
you can act brave without feeling brave.
loving someone will reveal just as much about yourself as it will about them.
you might as well say "i love you" every time you feel like it. life is short.
and...
no matter what you do, individual socks are going to randomly disappear.