Things I Learned In 2009...

Lynn, over at Midday Escapades, came up with a great idea to post "5 Things I Learned In 2009." I started making my list today, and I just couldn't keep it to 5, so mine is a tad bit longer. Here they are, though!

1. Depression is a battle, but the joy of the Lord is my strength.

2. The personal lifestyle choices I make directly affect poverty-stricken people all over the world.

3. Being a vegetarian is fun, encourages creativity, and introduces you to a diversity of foreign cuisine that is delicious and bursting with flavor. (For example, Indian and African food are now my favorite types of food. I would have never thought to try them, otherwise!)

4. When you feel as if you have no purpose in life, pursuing a small project can change everything. This is what blogging has done for me. It became a ministry full of purpose to help those people who literally need couponing to feed their families. Even though I'm not in my career field, I am still helping people. That is my passion, that is what I'm doing, and I'm thankful to God for providing this opportunity. It has been a blast.

5. I have the most wonderful, patient, and sweetest husband in the world. As I come home from work each day, delay dinners, don't keep the house as clean as I used to, and sacrifice time with him so that I can get my hours of blogging done...he never complains and fully supports me. I am very blessed.

6. I need to stop complaining about all the weight I've gained, and do something about it. I'm going to be thin in 2010. =)

7. The simplest life is the only way to live. Simplicity brings so much freedom in life. I no longer need anything. I am content with the basic luxuries of life that God has blessed me with. I no longer have any desire for things, clothes, the latest fashion, the newest gadget, or anything else this consumerism-driven society tries to tell me I need. I have been set free, and I am so much happier. When you throw out the many things that distract, the smaller and most important moments have more room to peek through and shine. The less I have, the more beautiful life truly becomes...

8. Keeping my mouth shut is usually the best choice. Silence is a good way to go, and I tend to later thank myself for not letting my emotions or opinions get the best of me.

9. It's okay to take a break from getting the best deals, sometimes. I need a break in order to prevent coupon burnout. It's very important.

10. God has plans, and He is way bigger than me. I need to stop putting Him in a box. Even if I still don't understand it, I must have faith...

What did you learn in 2009??? I'm now thinking about my goals for 2010! =)