Here’s what I know…

As the year tiptoes to a close (it really snuck up on me this year) I’m taking stock.

And I’m making stock. (Yes, I have been cooking non-stop since Mike and I settled into our new home for the next five months. My inner Susie Homemaker has come out in full force. I’m just as surprised as Mike is.)

Part of my taking stock has involved going through all of my “stuff”, digital, physical, and mental, and deciding what to do with it. More on this in a future post when I tell you why I’m obsessed with Getting Things Done by David Allen. In my process of diving into my notes and bits (it’s amazing how much you can accumulate while living in a car) I found a note I’d written to myself sometime this year entitled, “Here’s what I know.” I don’t have a clue when I wrote it, but I know that when I read it it made me feel good.

Here’s hoping it makes you feel good too.

Here’s what I know…

  • Doing something for the money never ends up being worth it.
  • If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.
  • You are valuable because you exist. Period. (Or, full stop if you’re British.)
  • You are enough. You always have been. You always will be.
  • Your place of greatest ease and joy will also be your place of greatest service.
  • It’s okay to sleep for ten hours or more a night from time to time. In fact, it’s critical.
  • No accomplishment or moment of recognition will ever replace feeling loved, by yourself or anyone else.
  • It’s not going to turn out the way you thought. It will be better.
  • You know. You always know.
  • The fact that it feels good is reason enough to move every day. The fact that it will tone your ass and make your waist smaller are mere side effects.
  • Organizing your life around what feels good is the single wisest choice you can make.
  • There is always going to be a small part of you that wants to please your mother, even if you’re not conscious of it, and that’s okay.
  • Saying yes to someone simply because you don’t want to disappoint them is not only unfair to you, it’s unfair to them.
  • Sleep, water, movement, greens, and a good cry cure almost anything.
  • Anything worth taking seriously is worth making fun of. (Thanks Mom)
  • Paying attention to your money is a profound act of self-love.
  • It turns out that life is happening right now.
  • Loving yourself more is the best place to start to solve any problem.
  • You can’t judge and have an open heart at the same time.
  • Nothing is random. Everything happens for a reason.
  • Your body is wise beyond what you could possibly imagine. Listen to her. She will lead you home every time.
  • Home is not a place.

Your turn!

What do you know?

What can you count on no matter what?

Tell me and remind yourself. Leave a comment.

47 comments

  • Truly beautiful. Inspiring and true.
    Thanks for sharing so eloquently.
    If it’s ok, I will post on my Facebook page and link on my blog (www.Nourishme.com).

    Thanks
    Erika siegel ND

  • you are a wise sage kate. Loved this.

  • Janice

    Dear Kate,

    What a phenomenal list of what you know. I loved it. Thank-you

  • You are wiser beyond your years on the planet Kate! Fabulous list – I’m adopting it as I too go through all my stuff over the holiday season.

    Happy cooking!

  • Hello my darling girl. This is your mother. And this is VERY pleasing to me. How is it that we have BOTH become major cooks this year. BTW, I LOVE it when you call me for cooking advice. Makes me feel like a real Mom. I’m not kidding. Humbly yours, Mom

  • Can I get an AMEN!!! Thank you Kate for sharing this…..I am LOVING this list….I think I am going to print and frame it :) xoxo

  • Tammi

    #9 is my favorite! Well done Kate. This is great.

  • Fab

    Here’s what I know: I love reading it. It feels good. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters. If it feels good, makes you smile and leaves your heart open, it’s love! ;-) thanks for the love, love!

  • LOVED reading these.
    Taking a quiet moment to let them to seep into every cell and pore.
    And that is what I know:
    Sitting and listening to the quiet of my breath and the beat of my heart…reveals inner wisdom and guidance.
    Thank you for the invitation to tune into this!
    xxx
    t

  • Shannon

    Kate, I love this list!
    Thank you for sharing.
    I know that when the student is ready the teacher will appear (in one form or another!).
    Namaste :)
    Shannon

  • Thank you for this. This is what this year taught me-
    When I let go of the illusion of control, life gets a little lighter and a lot more profound.

  • I know that, no matter what sort of vagabond, beer budget lifestyle I lead with my champagne cost college degree, my family will still love me (maybe that’s the benefit of having 3 stable siblings that came before me).

  • i smiled thru the whole list.. not just with my lips but with my heart. thank you.
    :)

  • I know that being alive is the holy mother of all miracles. I know that if I can’t see the blessing in the present moment I am not BEING present. I know that if we are going to get through all this and be better for it we had best do it together! Love you Kate!

  • Thanks Kate! I love this list. One thing I can count on no matter what: The more I keep my agreements, the better my life works.

  • Thank you for sharing this. A lot of the points really hit home with me, particularly this one:

    “Saying yes to someone simply because you don’t want to disappoint them is not only unfair to you, it’s unfair to them.”

    …That’s something I resolve to remember as we move into the new year.

  • I know that when I smile I feel happy. I know that my body has all the answers. I know that being of service to others is the best thing I can do for myself. I know that having a meal with my best girlfriend(s) always gives me energy. I know that my dogs have got life figured out. :~)

    Thank you Kate for all of the work you do. You have helped me in so many ways and you don’t even know me… but you do. :~)

  • Kira

    Brilliant! Thank you for sharing this.

  • Probably my favorite post of yours so far, Kate! I truly loved reading this and am so glad you came across this letter to yourself! You’ve made me want to write something similar to myself now, too. Thanks for spreading the holiday cheer!

    All the Best,

    Hadley

  • Monica Morong

    I almost cried when I read this list (was on public transport otherwise I would have)! This is going to become my new daily morning read. Loved it. Thank you.

  • Courtney

    I know that I deserve the very best someone else has to offer me and that I deserve the very best I can give to myself. I know that laughing really is the best medicine.

    Thanks for such a wonderful list Kate. Your words give me encouragement, make me reconsider my priorities, and challenge me to change my beliefs. And they are very appreciated. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope 2012 showers you and your loved ones with blessings many times over. <3

  • Rebecca

    I know that being forced to sit still when you want to fly is just ground training for your pilot’s license.

  • Lisa J. Ulmer

    ………………When I Followed the Link from Your Mom……I Didn’t Know What to Expect………I was MORE than Happy with What I Found in Your List of: “Here’s What I Know”……I’m Going to Try and Print it—>>and Refer to it Often…….Seems Like You Know Much MORE than I Kate……………

  • Cristin

    Wise, beautiful and EXACTLY what I needed to hear today. Thank you!

  • Carmel

    Hi Kate, I too am going to have this printed and framed. It will be a beautiful gift for my daughter. Thank you so much.

  • Thanks, Kate. Lovely!

    Here is what I know for sure:

    You can’t push the river.

  • Ms. Kyle Barry

    Thank you, Kate.
    The Truth, put plainly and simply and, I agree with Carmel, worthy of framing <3

  • Leslie Stocker

    Doing something for another even when I don’t feel like it always rewards me and reminds me that it’s not about me….

  • Darleen Donelson

    love love love this! I am going to print this out and make copies to pass out to my co-workers tomorrow at the Christmas party (hope you don’t mind?)

    Thank you

  • Surjot

    Simply beautiful list. You are so wise for your years. I love your audacious and adventurous spirit and your brilliant inspirational writing. I’m a fan of your mothers work, and now am a fan of yours.

  • What I know for sure- talking up a storm with a good girlfriend is great medicine. The other thing I know for sure is how much I also love total silence.

  • Thank you for this! I really needed to read something like this today. :) All the best to you, your beau, family and friends in 2012!

    Cheers to beauty-ful days!
    Nina

  • Gabrielle

    This list is perfect and I just love it. Thank you for sharing! I’m planning to print it out and post it on my mirror (after, of course, I share it with all of my friends).

    You seem like an incredible woman! Look

  • Gina V.

    I love your list, Kate!! Thank you so much for sharing it!

    The one thing I know, and hold onto more with every passing day, is that regardless of how things feel or appear at any given moment–
    God is good.
    God loves each of us far more than we can comprehend.
    God is at work in EVERY situation, bringing things together for our good and His glory.
    Death is not the end, and death is not a bad thing, but it is not a thing to long for either.
    Joy on the face of or in the laughter of a child has healing power.

  • Seth Kaplan

    What a great read with which to start the New Year! Here’s what I know:

    * Study only absolutes.
    * The more one puts into one’s mind, the more it will hold.
    *The cult of beauty rears its ugly head (more times than we care to admit).
    * No matter where you go, there you are.
    * Unconditional love. Total humility. Enlightment. Readiness. Awakening (this whole experience is all about WAKING UP!).

    I find your clarity of mind and spirit wonderful!

  • Wow…here it is October of 2013 and I’m just reading this. I feel like I found a time capsule or a message in a bottle…I’m writing these down. Thanks Kate…

  • Here’s what I know…we leave our imprint on another’s soul by the words we choose. Make sure they are from the heart…

  • I Know… that your email put a smile on my face today :) I asked my angels for help and ” It’s not going to turn out the way you thought”…was exactly what I needed to read today !

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts, It’s very inspiring ,

    Hugs & Love
    Sandy (from Sweden)

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3bN2Z5uZKhQ

  • Rosaline Cain

    Thank you for writing this, Kate! Here are the ones that resonate the most strongly with me right now: 1) Your place of greatest ease and joy will also be your place of greatest service. 2) Paying attention to your money is a profound act of self-love. 3) You can’t judge and have an open heart at the same time.

    I don’t think I ever heard these messages in school or in church – at least not as clearly as you’ve laid them out.

    THANKS, Kate! Sending you a big hug from here! :)

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