About a week ago, I turned twenty-one years old. I don't even understand how it happened because last time I checked, I was fourteen years old, playing hopscotch and pondering about the ultimate life question: how Austin Ames couldn't identify Sam in "A Cinderella Story" when all she wore was a mask. But somehow, it happened. I'm legally an adult. As I sit here and reflect back on my life, I have compiled a list of twenty one lessons that I have learned time and time again.
1. No matter who or what hurts you, never close off your heart.
Life is not always going to go the way you want. People will disappoint you and that's not to sound cynical. But it's unfair to everyone around you, especially yourself to judge everyone's intentions based on a couple of bad experiences.
2. Netflix will always be there. Get some sleep.
The day I started prioritizing sleep above Netflix, I felt like a caterpillar blossoming into a responsible and put together butterfly.
3. Sometimes, you can give your all and still fail.
Failure is inevitable. Cry a little and then, use that failure as motivation to attack whatever is coming next. And if you fail again, you better get up and try again because there will be no greater feeling than conquering something you though to be impossible.
4. You'll never regret a bad workout, but you'll always regret not working out.
Even on days where you're not feeling your best, tell yourself to go on a fifteen minute jog. It'll go by so fast that you'll realize that you're capable of doing even more.
5. Don't be afraid to change your mind.
You are allowed to grow and those who love you at your core will be okay with that. Educate yourself and don't be afraid to redevelop your opinions. If you're the same person you were two years ago, then you're not growing.
6. Be patient with people who do not understand the extent of social injustice. Not everyone came out of the womb woke, including you.
Never approach ignorance with condescension or impulse. You'll never get your message across that way. Be patient because there are more than enough issues in the world that you yourself may not be educated on.
7. There's a lot of wonderful people in this world who will be temporary in your life.
I've lost people in my life whom I never expected to. I have no hard feelings toward those people, but at the same time, I also know myself and those people well enough to know that I am better off without them. It doesn't make them any less wonderful and I wish them nothing but the best.
8. If you love someone, tell them and tell them often.
Everything's good in moderation, except for love. Never take the people in your life for granted.
9. Triple check to make sure your alarm is always set for AM, not PM.
The amount of times I have made this mistake is more than I really should have.
10. Be careful around people who gossip about people who gossip about their "best friends" to you.
They could very well be doing the same thing behind your back.
11. Just because someone is venting to you does not mean they need advice.
If someone is talking to talk, just let them. Don't say anything and just listen.
12. Share any puppy video or meme on Facebook. It's bound to make somebody's day a little brighter.
In the chaotic life of being a college student, we all need a little pick me up every now and then. Puppy videos are perfect for that. So are actual puppies, but unfortunately, those are less accessible.
13. It's better to be involved in two or three things that you're madly passionate about than it is to dabble in everything.
Focus your efforts on the things that truly matter to you. Don't spread yourself too thin.
14. Don't go on social media after any sort of great injustice (so basically everyday) has occurred.
Your chill level will go from 2 to -87 real quick. Especially twitter. Just don't do it.
15. Your friends will consider how you look in a picture too before posting it anywhere.
Your real homies will dedicate entire albums of embarrassing pictures of you on Facebook.
16. Real homies will also remember your birthday without Facebook reminding them.
This might just be a personal thing, but I absolutely love birthdays. And the people who matter most to me, I've memorized their birthdays and have marked it on my calendar and will often times, count down to their birthday before they may even think about it.
17. Moving on and giving up are not the same thing.
It's okay to walk away from toxic people and toxic situations.
18. Don't just pray when things are going wrong.
Pray when things are going right. Count your blessings always, not just because things could be worse. But because life is actually really beautiful and every single one of us has something to be thankful for.
19. Lead by action.
Never bark orders or demands at anyone. Rather, let your actions speak.
20. Never compare yourself to anyone.
Everyone is on a different path in life. There's no need to compare yourself ever. Focus on developing as a decent human being
21. As much as time will change and life will change, God's love never will.
There is nothing more comforting than having and knowing of that Rock I can always depend on.
