Annie F. Downs
About the Author

Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author and nationally known speaker based in Nashville, Tennessee. Her most recent books include 100 Days to Brave, Looking for Lovely and Let’s All Be Brave. Read more at anniefdowns.com and follow her at @anniefdowns.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. I could teach you how to use a sewing machine to make bunting! The rest I’m not so sure on.

    I’d like to learn how to cook a whole chicken too.

  2. I want to learn how to control my mouth from flying off at my ex husband when he acts like a 2 year old!
    I want to learn to play the piano, which means I need to learn to read music!
    I want to learn how to communicate effectively, verbally, at the time its needed.
    I want to learn how to write so that it makes sense, flows logically, and share my thoughts for others so they may find a little hope in their own situation.

    As far as sewing, I taught myself to sew with some quilt magazines. Get an easy to operate machine and just start reading then sewing! But beware. Its addicting πŸ™‚

  3. If only you lived closer. I could teach you a few of those things like sewing, using picnik and making stove top popcorn. I want to learn to love like Jesus, too. Really I do.
    I want to learn how to take photographs like I see them in my mind’s eye.
    I want to learn how to use Lightroom 3 so I can edit those photographs to look more like what I see in my mind’s eye.
    I want to learn to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Oh, how I want to learn that one.
    I love your post today, Annie.

  4. I could teach how to use whom πŸ™‚

    If whom/who could be replaced with him/her it should be whom. If it could be replaced with he/she it should be who.

    One thing I really want to learn is to control my fear so that my fear of social situations does not hold me back.

    I also want to learn to be happy with whatever God throws at me.

  5. I want to learn to mind of Christ
    I want to learn how to trust those who hurt me
    I want to learn to accept that some people can change but just chose not to

  6. I love this! I could teach you how to make popcorn on the stove.

    And I wish…
    I could learn to love like Jesus
    I could spend more time living in the moment without wondering what lies around the corner
    I could learn how to decorate well
    I could figure out how to keep my cat off the counter

  7. I want to learn how to balance being a new mommy (first baby due in May) without neglecting other areas of service – church, my extended family, friends, etc. I also want to learn how to truly love like Jesus.

  8. I want to learn…

    * how to love EVERYONE without condition (yeah…kinda what you said)
    * how to speak multiple foreign languages
    * how to daggum fry chicken like my mother in law!!
    * how to stop comparing myself to others
    * how to run more than a few feet without having to stop :/
    * how to hem pants
    * how to design blogs (mainly, my own!)

    That’s a start. Loved your list, Annie; I had no idea which (in)writer it was til your signature :). (I saw it before I saw the Scotland thing or I woulda guessed.)

  9. At the top I want to learn how to manage my time because every moment here on earth is so very precious.

    I taught my self how to love like jesus. I fill my heart with everyone that comes before me. Because we all want to be loved..

    Thank you for these words.

    Mitzi

  10. I want to learn to be more like you, my friend, when it comes to your passion for life and openness to new adventures. You’ve taught me a lot–more than you know.

  11. I think the hardest one for me on your list is waiting on the Lord, I have to keep reminding myself to do exactly that, wait on Him! And I remind myself how to do that with Proverbs 3:5-6, which helps me, but it never gets easy! It all comes down to trusting Him with all our heart, no matter what.

    Proverbs 3:5-6
    5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
    6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

  12. I want to learn to sew better. I want to learn to play the piano. I want to learn to knit. I want to be grateful and thankful more often and better. I want to realize more that joy comes from being thankful. I want to do better for the people I know…write more often, call more often.

  13. I very much like this post!

    I want to learn to play piano.
    I want to learn how to be vulnerable.
    I want to learn how to cook without using recipes.
    I want to learn to delight in Jesus without worry of what people think.
    I want to learn Swahili.
    I want to learn to use my time wisely.

  14. I smiled and laughed, my list would look a lot like yours.
    my additions:
    *I want to learn how to bake and frost a cake that doesn’t look like something went horribly wrong.
    *I want to learn how to love like He does
    *I want to learn how to be content
    *I want to learn to can veggies
    *I want to learn to let go of things I cannot change

  15. I want to learn to be better disciplined with my time. Every moment God gives to me is so very precious!
    I want to learn to let go of bitterness and truly forgive.
    I want to learn to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.
    Thank you so much for making us think about this. So helpful!

  16. I want to learn to turn to Him before I have a big mess on my hands.
    I want to learn to really use a sewing machine (it takes a wish and a prayer right now).
    I want to work on my Finnish.
    Keeping my mouth shut. That would be a good one too.
    But I also need to learn to deal with my frustrations before I blow up at someone. I think I’m letting things roll off, but obviously I’m not.
    –SueBE

  17. I want to learn how to just relax and stop fussing so much!
    I love your list and it reminds me of each time I came off of the misisonfield how I had a list things (not to learn) but more to do. Wow – what a great trip down memory lane! Thanks

  18. I want to learn the skill of appreciating a season while you are in it.–Amen sister! I’m having a hard time with that right now!!

    I, too want to learn to love like Jesus, and to learn how to wait on God.–That is hard for me also!!

    Love the list and could add a number of things to it–like how not to be so prejudiced and to relax and sit quietly in the moment without wanting to rush around & do something!

    I would also like to learn to cook better–like a whole turkey, chicken, etc.

    Wish I could teach each of you how to do sign language to music or play handbells–better yet to just appreciate music & its words!!

    I pray God will teach us all some of the things on our list today!

  19. I want to learn:
    – to eat slower
    – to play the piano well
    – to sing So well I can not only sing by myself but back up some of the best gospel artists
    – to dance and choreograph lyrical movements for God
    – be content without settling. And just be.
    – how to live a healthy and fit life
    – have fun every Day
    – my “sweet spot” as Max Lucado would say
    – how to corn row braid and twists really well
    – how to say no or yes lovingly, truthfully, in peace and total confidence
    – more about Who Jesus is
    – how to keep God first always in my heart.

  20. I want to learn how to be content without ever settling. Just be.
    – more about Who Jesus is
    – how to keep God first always in my heart.

  21. I want to
    `Be a better speaker
    `learn spanish
    `learn to be more mature when angry
    `learn to love the unloveable
    `learn to eat only what I need
    `how to confront in love
    `how to remember to smile more

  22. Reading your list allowed me to realize how great my life has been, as I know how to do most of what you want to do… You allowed Me a gift – To appreciate ME – Thank you, it is not always possible at age 48, living thru 20 years of fibromyalgia, 3 children, 2 stepchildren, menopause, economic difficultly, etc, etc…. trials and tribulations – and just for the moment as I am exhausted from pain and the flu… Your list brought happiness to my day. thank you! Now off to make My List! πŸ™‚ God Bless!
    T.
    (www.icwhimsy.com)

    • YES! I too was celebrating ME as I read many of my accomplishments on her list. Definitely a praise day!

  23. I want to learn…
    *that He didn’t make me less than…
    *to enjoy the scenery on yet another trip around the same mountain
    *how to grow a garden, in an effort to continue to learn patience …
    *and to copy Diane Bailey who wants to smile more….to even learn what my face looks like with a smile on it!

  24. I want to learn to say NO
    I want to learn to not answer the phone just because it’s ringing
    I want to learn to ask for help when i need it
    I want to learn to see God in a flower and heaven in a star

  25. I want to learn to live in relationship like the Trinity does, Father, Son, Spirit.

    I am currently teaching myself crochet.

  26. Thank you for your list…thought provoking. I want to learn to:
    *how to ski
    *hwo to grow a lovely flower garden
    *how to forgive myself for not protecting my son from my family
    *how to play piano
    *how to bake a beautiful cake
    *how to just be me…

  27. I want to learn how to decorate my house so it really reflects who I am. I guess I need to figure out who I am before I can learn that, huh?

  28. i want to learn to be content
    i want to learn to like me
    i want to learn to be okay with me
    i want to learn to write well
    i want to learn to grieve
    i want to learn to feel and name emotions
    i want to learn to make videos
    i want to learn to make more types of pottery
    i want to learn to bake more delicious things
    i want to learn to stand firm
    i want to learn to swing dance
    i want to learn to love

  29. The learning means growing and it hurts. Though I want it for so much, I’m not sure I’m ready for more…except for just this–to learn to trust. It’s been the hardest for me.

  30. To “risk wisely.” I like that one. I’m one who usually runs away from risk. I don’t associate “risk” and “wise” together. But I do think they are possible and that sometimes God wants me to risk and put my faith in Him instead of myself. πŸ™‚

  31. I want to learn to:

    live in the moment
    be kinder
    love Jesus more
    write better
    give more
    do the zumba (mispelled I am sure)
    be kinder (I need double on this one)
    wait upon the Lord better
    love deeper and without expectation
    repeat quickly when convicted
    be swift to hear and slow to speak

    Ok that should be enough to keep me busy for a while. Thanks Annie for your sweet honest post. My main ministry while we served in Papua New Guinea was to teach younger women how to do so many of the things on your list. God bonded us women together as we laughed, cried and prayed for strength and wisdom. I became that Mom away from home for those girls, grandmother to their children and sister in the Lord needing a touch from the same Holy God. It was and still is a fulfilling ministry.

    • need to correct on of my want to’s

      it’s repent (instead of repeat) quickly without expectations
      I better add this want to:

      make fewer mistakes when blogging

  32. I love this! I want to dig in and write down my things, too! To start, I want to learn Spanish and make a pie as delicious as my grandmother did. I want to give of myself without hesitation and with the inhabitance of the Father’s joy in me, encouraging me on. I want to live remembering how free I am, and how I inhabit beauty when I choose to see with His eyes and feel with His heart. Thank you, Annie! You make me smile.