26 lessons in 26 years
Every end of the year is festive
for me. December kicks off with Jamhuri day; a patriotic holiday that also
serves as a notice that the holiday season has officially started. Christmas
and New Year’s holidays follow consequentially. And if that does not leave you
either totally broke or somewhat excited to have reason to push the party mode
a little deeper into January, shortly after comes my birthday. This year’s
birthday was lovely and mellow. I felt older, more settled within, more
accepting of my failures and lessons which served to elevate me further up the
development ladder; either through the lessons learnt or the triumphant
confidence boosters that winning bestows on someone. So, I raise a glass to
myself! 26 years down, here are some few, very simple lessons, which I have
learnt through the years.
- I have learnt that love is spelt G.I.V.E.
- I have learnt that you cannot give that which you do not have.
- I have learnt not to underestimate the power of thought. Environment has a significant input in shaping who we are; but our thoughts have the largest impact in not only shaping who we are, but who we are becoming.
- I have learnt that discipline is easy to start off but challenging to maintain; but if you hack maintaining it, you shall not go unrewarded, and it shall make everything worthwhile.
- I have learnt that it is always prudent to listen more and speak less.
- I have learnt that nothing good comes out of worrying. It is an extremely unproductive activity which only serves to bring about energy sapping panic.
- I have learnt the beauty of being present. Choosing to be present in every situation; not passive. This is what life is about.
- I have learnt that sometimes, being patient can get you not only through, but also out of many situations.
- I have learnt that God does speak, countless times. We just need to create an environment for ourselves to actually listen.
- I have learnt to hear, but not listen to everything that comes my way.
- I have learnt that in relationships, it is never about winning.
- I have learnt that God does not change, we do.
- I have learnt that love; whether plutonic or romantic, is about time, trust, interest and acceptance. It is thus very conscious and decisive.
- I have learnt that sometimes, you have to lose your way in order to find it.
- I have learnt that, no matter how much I stay away from it or look away from it because of some other necessary or unnecessary interests, music shall always be my lover and I, its willful captive.
- I have learnt that destiny; that which you dream of or desire, awaits you to overly prepare yourself in advance and readily equip yourself with loads of faith. After that, hello destiny, good bye mediocrity.
- I have learnt that observation is the best teacher.
- I have learnt that most times, with those things that look impossible, you just have to try. That is the first step.
- I have learnt that sometimes silence is the loudest and most beautiful music.
- I have learnt not to take oneself too seriously; it’s healthy to laugh at yourself sometimes. Forgiving others is quite necessary for your heart, forgiving yourself is necessary for your soul.
- Call me superstitious, but I am slowly learning that there is almost always, no such thing as coincidence.
- I have learnt, quoted from one of my best excerpts – the desiderata; ‘to exercise caution in business affairs for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.’
- I have learnt that if you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything. And falling for anything makes things senseless.
- I have learnt that there is wisdom in discretion.
- I have learnt that pride of the arrogant kind is your foe; that fear is a lactating parasite.
- I have learnt that hope is all we’ve got; there are many elements around us that strive to steal or destroy it. Protect hope, and you protect your life.
So much more to learn; I just hope to be a graceful student! Here's to 2012.
