14 LESSONS LEARNED in 27 years

Tomorrow is my 27th birthday. I’m aware that I haven’t, by far, reached the peak of life. My uncle jokingly says, “after 25 it’s all downhill from there.” Well I am now 2 years over the 25 mark. It’s been more of an incline than decline. I had the typical thoughts of where I “should be” by now, by this age. Honestly, I don’t care any more. I’ll live life by my standards and let everything happen in God’s time. My happiness and internal peace is my only concern. Society moves in a very different pace than what it once moved. Marriage and kids is the common item on everyone’s agenda. It appears that we should have it all figured out and completed by age 30 because the timer is counting down. This is beyond unrealistic.

The human brain isn’t even fully developed until 25 years of age. Therefore, technically I’m a 2 year old adult. At times, it definitely feels that way, as if everything is now a trial and error game. Time is spent just trying to learn along the way. I feel I’ve reached a point of stability and at the same time a point of uncertainty. There have been new experiences had and definitely more waiting to occur. I have set more goals to achieve in Chapter 27. I’m always excited for the future because I know the best is yet to come, always! I’ve grown in some areas of life and others are still a work in progress. These are my 14 lessons (because 27 seem like a bit much) learned in 27 years:

1. Trust God. Have faith. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Ephesians 6:16 Faith will take you further than any degree, man, or plane ever can take you.

2. Family. Cherish your loved ones more than anything. Be present whenever possible. Love your mother and father. As you’re getting older, so are they. Life is short and precious.

3. Time alone . Time waits on no one. Spend it wisely. Don’t waste it on people or things of no significance. Most importantly, enjoy alone time. Maya Angelou said, “Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence, neither speed up nor slow down, add to nor diminish, it is an imponderably valuable gift.”

4. Keep peace. By any means necessary, avoid negativity. The pessimistic naysayers have nothing better to do but inflict discouragement and bad vibes. Stay far away from them and their environments.

5. Travel. See as much of the world as you possibly can see. It’s not expensive to travel. Money can be saved and what’s spent will always return.

6. Save Money. Every cent will come in hand for trips, flat tires, broken phones, miscellaneous bills, late night food runs, early retirement. Alla that.

7. Spread love. God is Love. There’s enough hate and violence in the world. Don’t let someone else’s lack of love affect how you give love.

8. Let go. Let go of pain, disappointments, failures, rejections, friendships, relationships, and/or any baggage that may weigh you down from being a better you.

9. Career paths. If you don’t use the degree it becomes a $50,000 piece of paper. If you do use the degree, you still owe $50,000 in student loans. Moral of the story: do what makes you happy.

10. Respect. Give it and be sure to receive it. Sometimes it may take a while to find your voice and speak up. However, when you do, use it and never lose it.

11. Love yourself. Love yourself enough to know your worth and refuse to settle for anything less. Anyone that has an issue with it does not deserve your presence. “If someone had the privilege and the honor of walking into your life to spend time loving, learning, healing, living and growing with you, and they didn’t have the good sense to stay. You need to be glad to be rid of them. Stop chasing things that are beneath the truth of who you are. Stop holding on to people and things that weigh you down. YOU MATTER!” -Iyanla Vanzant

12. Embrace change. Change is the only constant in life. Life will always change, if not, there’s an issue at hand. Accept it and embrace it (even the multiple grey hairs and back pain). Live for the new experiences and adventures.

13. Growth. You should not be the same person you were 10 years ago. Wisdom, independence, and individuality should be upon you with each passing year. Let your actions show it.

14. Life goes on. Through hardships, deaths, job changes, relationship endings/beginnings, etc. the clock on your life is still ticking. Don’t stop living. LIFE. GOES. ON.

Peace & Love. Happy Birthday to me and any other fellow July 14ners!!

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