31 Life Lessons from 31 Years
What a life it has been so far! In the years leading up to this day, I have made things of which I am proudest: created Project FUEL, composed books of meaning, crafted songs I love to sing in Karaoke and truly have learnt to love myself.
As I tiptoe towards another year of travel, writing, loving and being loved I want to say a billboard size THANK YOU to each one of you for holding me together and lifting me up.
As my return gift for your warm and loving wishes, here are 31 life lessons from 31 years of being and becoming~
——
* Self love is the parachute that protects you when people push you off from the cliff of their ignorance.
* In a world full of stars try to be a constellation.
* Our lives are but a resume for our death. Each experience, every action undertaken is a promise that we qualify for the unknown next.
* Acceptance is also a form of self-love. Don’t be in denial constantly.
* Everyone defines you by the things you have done, only you have the power to define yourself by the things you are going to do.
* Remember to never text a harsh feedback or criticism to someone past midnight. No one should wake up reading a negative thought or doubt unarmed with a robe of optimism.
* In life we aren't really looking for people to fall in love with, what everyone is looking for is people who will make you fall in love with yourself all over again.
* It will come to you, only if you go to it.
* People are mirrors. Be careful of which ones you are looking into.
* Standing out anywhere is fitting in somewhere. Don’t be afraid to be your own cheerleader.
* The most beautiful thing about having a friend is the chance to be one too. Make it worthwhile.
* Shine so bright that your light becomes someone else's spotlight.
* Don't romanticise inspiration. Build the mood, create the vibe, do the doing. The muse always shows up when your intention does. Fear can be paralysing if you do not acknowledge all the times when you were able to survive it. No matter what you do, chaos and criticism are already on their way to you. You might as well be on your way to something positive and productive.
* Life is a house and different people have access to different parts in it. And although, some must be shown a way out but first you need to figure for yourself where the exit door lies.
* When the solution becomes the problem, pause. Evaluate. Life is nudging you to listen to its whispers.
* You always have an extra minute to be nice to someone. Try to give a hug instead of a selfie. Memorise the name of people who work for and around you. Greet them by their name.
* Glory will take you all around the world but humility will help you get home.
* When life offers you an opportunity to be brilliant negotiate to be memorable.
* Success is a magnifying glass. It blows up who you truly are. A genius become a bigger genius, an asshole a bigger asshole. Gain a perspective before gaining followers.
* Your hope is your knowledge.
* A flower never refuses to bloom because there isn’t another flower in the neighbourhood blooming with it. Every element in nature celebrates its singularity. Find the courage to begin alone, to bloom alone and let others take their time to match your pace.
* Tell people what they mean to you or ask someone what you mean to them. It’s a terrible thing to live without knowing what value one holds. Gratitude breathes the oxygen of acknowledgment.
* Your talent is your responsibility.
* We forgive only those parts of others that we have made peace within ourselves. Don’t let your crop of forgiveness be destroyed by your ego storm. Harvest is a beautiful thing.
* Make a choice. The sooner you make one, the happier you will be.
* Go far in love but never too far away from yourself.
* The length of your life should never become a roadblock to the distance the learning from it travels.
* It's amazing to be loved. But is even more amazing to be forgiven and then to be loved. Try to seek that and build along the way.
* Call home, drop voice notes of encouragement to friends, show up for things that matter to others not just to you.
* You aren’t the general manager of the universe, relax. The world is a heavy place don’t carry it all by yourself.
* There is more. To your career. Your dreams. To people. To places. To challenges. To glories. To stories. To dream. To the world. Never be parched with what meets the eye. That’s not it. Some flowers only bloom for you. Find them.