With each passing minute, we learn something new from the ever-changing world around us. With each passing year, newer and larger life lessons harbor within our ever-changing selves. I just turned 22. While every age has its optimisms and dreads, 22 brings a whole new world of changes. At 22, society not only expects me to graduate college, but to also know exactly what I want to do with my life, have a full time professional job lined up, have my love life signed and sealed, have my life in control, and to be able to balance all of this like a seasoned adult with a master plan in my back pocket. I know, it seems easy right? I mean come on, I've had four whole years of college to figure it out- there's no stress in that. Wrong.

It's a grand journey, life is.While these pressures are all surrounding me, I have the wisdom I have learned from each passing minute and each passing year. While I am only a young 22 years old, and there are many other who are older and wiser than I, I would still love to impart the lessons I have learned. If it can affect or help someone in the grand design of life, then I will be happy.

Here are 22 lessons that I have learned in 22 years of life.

1. Trust God in all things.

2. You don't need to be at rock bottom in order to pursue God and prayer. Pray always.

3. Keep practicality in your mind, but pursue what YOU love to do, not what someone else imposes on you.

4. Be careful if you are close-minded, for you might become close-hearted in the process.

5. Cliques are not worth forming or joining. The only thing that should be exclusive is the relationship with your significant other. There is no defined status quo, so there is no reason to make one in order to shun someone away from loving friendship and acceptance.

6. Guard your heart and how much if it you give away, but don't be afraid to love.

7. Put your phone down.

Yeah, we live in an era where technology is everything. Enjoy your social media, but there is nothing compared to talking face to face with the people you care about.

8. There is a difference between being selfish and being proud of yourself.

9. It's your body- love and respect it. Do what you need to do to be able to live life to its fullest potential. Sleep if you need it. Work out, eat right,

10. Just as the mind is important, the mind is of equal or greater importance. It's OK to take a mental health day.

11. It is ok to not be ok sometimes...

12 and while we are on that subject... Your struggles do not make you weak. If that were the case, then we all would be weak. There are moments where we do not feel strong, but there is great strength in asking other for support and guidance.

13.If the world tries to push you down, stand back up again anyway.

14. Your points of view may not jive with other people, and that is ok. This is not an open door to start an argument or force someone to bend to your opinions. Refer back to #4.

15. If you get the chance- TRAVEL. There is so much to see in the world, so much to see and experience that is beyond our comprehension. Traveling gives up life lessons that we can never learn by just sitting still.

16. Motivate the middle.

17. Motivate yourself.

18. Laugh often, laugh deeply, and laugh sincerely.

19. F.O.M.O (Fear Of Missing Out) is a real thing, but adventure is always going to be out there. Embrace adventure when it knocks on your door.

20. ...even still, my favorite musical said it best: "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window." (The Sound Of Music)

21. Just because you put so much time, love, and effort in to promoting and encouraging other people's happiness... does NOT mean that you can let your own slip to the wayside. Make sure you love yourself first.

22. There are so many nay say-ers, dissenters, people that enjoy stealing the joys in life. Do not let people steal your joy. It is yours to take, and yours to make. The second you let another person steal your joy, it is in that second that you give them the right and privilege to control your happiness. Choose for yourself. Choose joy.

I have been blessed with twenty-one wonderful years already, and many life lessons along the way. Here's to being 22, and many more laughs, adventures, and life lessons in the coming years.