Over the past 40 years, particularly the last five, I have learned the following valuable lessons:

1. An open heart leads to an open mind.

2. There is always a golden nugget to be found in a pile of poop. You just have to be willing to dig for it.

3. Gossiping says more about the person gossiping than it does about the person being gossiped about.

4. Leap and the net will appear.

5. Listening between the lines is crucial.

6. You have more to gain by taking a chance than you do to lose.

7. Judging a book by its cover may cost you the best read of your life.

8. Fear is allergic to the present moment.

9. Love is a powerful tool to have in your toolbox. It fixes hurt feelings and wards off fear.

10. If you don't have "it", you can't give "it".

11. It's none of my business what others think of me. It is my business what I think of me.

12. Vulnerability is NOT a sign of weakness, but rather a great testament to strength.

13. To stop learning is to stop growing.

14. A world without music is a world without color.

15. Looking for the good rather than the bad or the ugly leaves you open to seeing more good.

I cannot wait to add more to the list as I continue to learn and grow! What great lessons have you learned?

It pays to be open, aware, and willing to learn. We collect some wonderful pearls of wisdom that support us in living our best lives.