I love that the contributions to the “Things I Have Learned” series keep coming in. I asked a small number of my writer friends to participate at the outset, but now the majority of participants have volunteered themselves and that’s fantastic. Keep ’em coming, all!

1. I may have only had one serious boyfriend in my life, but one was all it took.
2. My son’s laugh is the most addictive drug I know.
3. Making routine things seem exciting is one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child.
4. Raising that child to be able to play alone, enjoy the silence, and stay occupied in a car without use of electronic devices is another.
5. I don’t just love to travel, I need to travel. It feeds my soul.
6. My toddler was put on this earth to teach me patience. So far he hasn’t succeeded.
7. I need more sleep than the average person.
8. “Sleep when the baby sleeps” is still a good mantra even when he’s three. Nothing beats an afternoon nap.
9. Don’t ever wish someone would just drop dead. When they do subsequently die unexpectedly, it brings on a tidal wave of guilt.
10. There always are bigger problems in the world than mine.
11. If I don’t go to church on Christmas Eve, I’m sad.
12. Reality TV shows don’t deserve my time.
13. Now that I’m out of school, if I’m not enjoying a book, I don’t need to finish it.
14. I love dogs too much to be a veterinarian.
15. Lead by example.
16. There are things I just cannot consume in moderation, such as caffeine, chocolate milk, popcorn, French fries, and chocolate graham crackers. Therefore, it’s best to not even get started.
17. Falling off the exercise bandwagon is a lot easier than getting back on it.
18. Waking up in the middle of the night and no longer hearing rain falling on the tent is not cause for excitement. It may have simply gotten cold enough to turn to snow.
19. Having a job I love was worth the pay cut it took to get it.
20. I’ve become more sensitive to the world’s pain now that I’m a mother.
21. Sometimes bad things just happen. It makes no sense, and it’s no one’s fault, so there’s no one we can sue, punish, or blame. It just happens.
22. The people who appear to be losers in high school just might end up making something of themselves after all. Don’t judge a person’s life path at 16.
23. I will never love someone as much as I love my husband. My child is a close second, but my husband always will come first.
24. Bring more water than thought to be necessary when going hiking.
25. It’s okay not to enjoy something I’m supposed to enjoy. Like sushi or chai or downhill skiing when I lived in Colorado.
26. My form of meditation is quickly, quietly, and steadily paddling my kayak.
27. I complain that I don’t spend enough time outdoors, but I have no one to blame but myself.
28. I complain that I don’t spend enough time reading, but I have no one to blame but myself.
29. Attending a classical violin performance is a cheap form of therapy.
30. If I try to balance the checkbook and pay bills in the evening, I will always, always, always have trouble falling asleep.
31. My son doesn’t want to be yelled at right before he goes to bed any more than I do.
32. Having friends who really, really get me and knew me before I even knew myself is a priceless gift.
33. I could never be a stay-at-home mom, even though I was convinced that was what I wanted.
34. The summer trips I took with my parents as a kid form so much of who I am today.
35. A cold shower right before bed is good, but can’t compete with the cooling benefits of a pre-bed skinny dip.
36. I can go months without communicating with certain friends, but when we reconnect, it’s like only minutes have passed. In the meantime, I can take comfort in knowing they’re out there doing their thing, living their lives.
37. It’s okay to admit that spaghetti and garlic bread is my favorite meal. I don’t need to sound fancier than I am.
38. As cliché as it may sound, home is wherever my family is.

Amy Spooner is the ninth contributor to the “Things I Have Learned” series, running each Thursday on Newvine Growing. Previous lists have come from:

• me
• Margaret Yang
• Amanda Hirsch
• Scott Daris
• Brian Frankel
• Stephen Cain
• Ann Belote Weir
• Lisa G.

Each person’s list is their own. Life teaches us all different lessons, even when we face the same experiences. I’m honored to share this series of life lessons in each contributor’s voice.
Want to contribute a list of lessons you’ve learned in life? Volunteer in the comments or email me: cnewvine at gmail dot com.