I read this article today on Huffingtonpost.com. Since it goes with the theme of my blog, I thought I would re-post it! (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/24/turning-30-30-things-every-woman-should-have-and-should-know_n_1447368.html?ref=mostpopular)

In 1997, Glamour magazine published a story titled "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30." The list, written by Pamela Redmond Satran, was so popular that women started emailing it around, misattributing it to various female luminaries including Maya Angelou and Hillary Clinton. Noting what a phenomenon it had become, the editors of Glamour created a book around it, featuring essays from (mostly) famous women on each of the items on the list. The book, released today, includes meditations from Katie Couric on work and love, Portia de Rossi on accepting your body, and one from the list's original author, who is also a Huffington Post blogger, on how to live alone.

Because the list still makes us so, so happy, we asked Glamour's permission to reprint it here:

By 30, you should have ...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know ...

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.

9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30

What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do -- before turning 30?

List excerpted from Glamour's "Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know By The Time She's 30."

#26 Grow my hair for the next 6 months (no cuts only trimming my ends) 

Well I vowed to not cut my hair; however, I had to get more hair cut off than I expected when I went in to get my ends trimmed. I still have a nice length and I can get my hair in a bun, which it's been awhile since I was able to do that. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing and happy growing from this point on! 

Hair Progress for March

#26 Grow my hair for the next 6 months (no cuts only trimming my ends) 

As promised, I haven't made any cuts to my hair whatsoever. I've been sticking to using only natural hair care products so that I'm eliminating unnecessary chemicals from my hair. I'm also limiting the amount of heat that I put on my hair each week. My hair started off with a serious growth spurt, but seems to have come to a halt. One thing I've been guilty of is not trimming my ends as often as they should be. I've also been guilty of pulling my hair back into a ponytail and/or bun, which can result in breakage if worn often. I'm going to get back on track by getting a good deep condition and my ends trimmed. Hopefully I will start to see that growth spurt when I report back in April!

February Hair Progress!

#26 Grow my hair for the next 6 months (no cuts only trimming my ends)

Well my hair is still growing, but there hasn't been a drastic difference since my last picture. At this angle it actually makes my hair look shorter than what it is. I can promise you that I haven't cut it. Hopefully there will be a more noticeable difference in March!

Still Paying It Forward!

I was able to help out someone near and dear to me. I realized this person had a need and God placed it in my spirit to be of help to them. This person didn't ask for my help and didn't even want to accept what it was I was offering them. I was still was of help because this wasn't about me nor was it about fulfilling a task on this list.

When God puts you in a position to be able to bless others, don't take it for granted and don't hesitate to do what he's calling you to do. Be obedient and keep in mind it is by the grace of God that we have the things that we do. You never know how close you are to being in someone else's shoes. Therefore, you shouldn't turn the other cheek nor judge the situation a person's in. Think about it, if it was you would you want someone to do the same?

A little thought to leave you with:

So now it's your turn!

#1 On The List Is Crossed Off!

1. Pay it forward by doing something nice for someone I don’t know    

               

I debated if I should go into details about how I accomplished this task on my list. I decided that I would share this not as an update on my list, but as inspiration. I hope that this will inspire others to pay it forward and help someone in any way that you can. I realize that this is something that shouldn't be a task on my list, but a way of life. We all are blessed with different talents, gifts, means, triumphs, and other attributes that can be beneficial in the lives of others.

I was at the grocery store and I noticed a woman in the aisle. She caught  my attention because she cut me off  with her shopping cart. At first I wanted to be instantly angry, but then something else caught my attention that completely took my mind off the fact that she cut me off. I looked down and noticed her shoes. Her shoes were reminiscent of those that had been worn for years and quite often. 

I noticed that one of her shoes appeared to have a hole on the side. I don't know if these were the only shoes she owned or if she had been doing some type of work and these were her work shoes. What I do know is the feeling I got once I noticed her shoes stayed with me. As I proceeded to continue doing my shopping the feeling I had weighed heavy on me. As I was making my way to go check out I saw this woman again at the end of another aisle.

I made my way to the aisle she was in and waited for the right moment to approach her. I politely walked up to her and told her, "It has been put on my heart to bless you." I took her hand and placed money in it. She thanked me and said she had been praying about some things and felt like God was blessing her. I never got her name and she didn't get mine. I don't know how much of an affect that my gift to her will have, but I do know it felt good to be able to bless someone.

Maybe God was using me to do his work in reference to whatever she was seeking him for. Maybe God was testing my obedience. Whatever the reason maybe it's still a reason why I crossed paths with this woman. We all are afforded different things and if you can use those things to be helpful and bless others, then why not! I'm happy I had the opportunity to do this and I pray that it's not the last time I'll be able to pay it forward.

Hair Progress for January

#26 Grow my hair for the next 6 months (no cuts only trimming my ends)

Since this is one of those tasks that will be documented up until my birthday, I've decided each month around the 18th (or slightly after) I will post a picture documenting my progress. So here's my first picture and progress for the month of January: