It may not be so, but I feel like I’m right smack dab in the middle of life. I’m a quarter of a century old and in 5 years I’ll be 30, seems far away but in reality 5 years these days is equivalent to 2 years. Life, for myself and everyone else on this planet, has been a journey or laughter, tears, good times and painful times which all have lead to becoming past memories that we can’t let go of no matter how hard we try.

So I’m 25. I can’t wrap that around my head, especially since I still feel and “believe” I’m 21. Life for me started out blissful. An only child with parents who adored her (still do of course), spoiled beyond anyone can imagine, and just a happy little girl with big hopes and dreams. I always imagined that at 22 I’d be married, the same age my mother got married, actually 22 and a half to be exact. Then at 24 I’d start a family and life would be oh so good.

Well, I hate to break it to you past Dana, but I’m 25 and rather than married, I’m divorced, and rather than starting a family I still haven’t even found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I’m not what I imagined I’d be. I’m quite the opposite. But, to be honest, I’m far greater than I ever thought I could be.

Strength. That’s my number one quality, the one thing that I have that has gotten me through all of the… and excuse my language, but the bullshit I had to endure. I’ve made it over hurdles, mountains, and the trail of tribulations. It wasn’t easy, and nor was it pretty, but I did it, and I made it, and I’m here able to write about it.

So I’m 25… about to start life anew. In 5 years, hopefully I’ll be Dr. Dana Barakat if all goes well. And in that time, I’ll continue on the journey of helping others. I find it a humbling endeavor, psychology I mean. It is wonderful to help people, however, it’s even more amazing how others are willing to include me into their life and let them in on their vulnerabilities, their weaknesses, their secrets, things they are ashamed of… It is such a humbling adventure. Never forget that helping others should increase your humility and your wanting to do more.

So, the life lessons I’ve learned at 25 include a few: Look back only to realize how much further you can go, move forward, and you won’t regret a thing. Another life lesson is that you need to embrace your qualities that got you to where you are and you must nourish them to keep them alive. And the third life lesson is that through all the bullshit we go through, just remember: You are here, you made it, and you’re still fighting which means one thing and one thing only: You are strong, and your strength is something you’ve got to know you have it.

So yes I am not the Dana I thought I’d be when I was 10 years old. Then again, at 10, we fantasize and don’t think of reality, so, I haven’t failed the young Dana, rather, I’m making the best of my reality.

If I were to give one piece of advice that I haven’t already given it would be: Take care of yourself in ways you know how. Comfort yourself, have positive self-talk, forgive yourself, and most importantly Love yourself. It is so easy to fall in love with others, but falling in love with ourselves is a great challenge that I know we can all overcome.

#25 #QuarterOfACenturyBringsWisdom #LifeLessonsAt25