29 before 29

IWRITE this exactly a month before my 29th birthday. In a month, I begin the last year of my twenties. I cannot wait for the new adventures this stage of my life will bring about – the new opportunities, the continued and more involved chance to give back, new friendships, old ones to nurture, and more special moments to come. And before I do a full recap and reflection of the year that has been my 28th for me, true to tradition, let me come up with a laundry list of some lessons and learnings I picked up along the way this year. Here are twenty-nine:

1. Good things take time. Therefore, never rush into anything, or something.

2. Never force a partnership (life or career), project, or an issue. It will bear fruit when the time is right, if it is meant to be.

3. All in God’s good time.

4. Plan, plan, plan, yes, but be flexible. There will always be a greater one, and His plan will always prevail.

5. Never underestimate the power of prayer.

6. God knows what is in your heart even at times when you yourself are confused. Have faith, and never lose hope.

7. Nurture your spiritual health – it does wonders for your holistic and emotional well-being.

8. Do not live with the aim of pleasing everyone, or you will live a life of utmost frustration.

9. Say “no” more often, and make those who are worthwhile feel the importance due them.

10. Know who your real friends are, and make your presence apparent. Things get busy, but in this age of technology, a message to simply check-in goes a long way.

11. You cannot change a person, nor can you help someone who does not want to be helped.

12. If you can dish it, you must be able to take it.

13. It is okay to make mistakes – own up to and account for them.

14. There will always be wisdom in humility. Not everyone will treat you in the same way that you treat them. But what matters is that you rise above the challenge, and be the better person.

15. Kindness begets kindness. Respect commands respect. And love lures love.

16. Only cowards talk about you behind your back rather than confront you with the painful truth.

17. Those who truly know you will always choose to see the good in you. They too will defend you most especially when you are not around to do it yourself.

18. There is a silver lining to every situation.

19. You have to learn to dance in the rain in order to weather strong storms.

20. You are a product of your past, and how you act in the present is a sum of those experiences.

21. You do not have to see a person every day (or even often for that matter) for them to be your best friend.

22. It is perfectly fine to filter out the unnecessary noise.

23. Not everything belongs on social media, in the same way that not everything you see on social media depicts or defines the truth.

24. Do not fear change. Embrace it, rather than fight it. Keep in mind that the first step in doing so is acceptance.

25. Panic will get you nowhere.

26. Never put all your eggs in one basket.

27. The only way to be able to fully love others is to love yourself first. Only then will you be able to give your undivided love with no hesitation.

28. Always use sunscreen. You will regret it one day if you don’t.

29. Live. Love. Give back. Be grateful.