It was like yesterday. Now, I turned 33. I could not be more grateful for God’s gift of life. I am a year older again. Should I stop counting? Some people may jokingly say, they stop counting when they reach their 30’s. But as for me, I would never stop counting because whenever I turn a year older, it means God has extended my life again and again. Mark Twain once said that, “Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.” Pretty much sums up all. Oh, if I may add, it is also a blessing.
Well, the reason I want to write for my birthday is not only to tell you that it’s my birthday. It is more of bragging about the grace of God in my life, plus I want to share my learnings having arrived at this age.
It may sound dramatic but for the last two years, life has no been easy, right? Because of this pandemic, the world seems to stop. Many things were altered. Plans were thwarted. Yet life goes on no matter how hard it can be because we are still alive and we don’t have any choice but to continue. It may seem like everything just like the same. But if we take time to just pause and look back on those years passed, then we see those dramatic changes in our lives. It is when we sit down and reminisce the unfolding of our years backward that we can truly picture the things that have taken place, we would realize that we mature and grow. And we are now grown-ups with opportunities and stumbling blocks ahead. My 20’s and early 30’s surely were exciting, yet full of challenges. Here are 15 things I have learned in life:
- Live for the purpose of God.
- Contentment is the key to happiness.
- Peace is better than worldly pursuits in the chaotic world.
- Rest is important.
- We only have true friend, Jesus.
- We need to learn to live alone with God.
- Be focused on your goal.
- It is okay to say “NO.”
- Be sincere and authentic.
- You cannot make other people change.
- Love your family.
- Choose your battles wisely.
- It pays to be kind to everyone.
- We have different standards and convictions. Just agree to disagree.
- Never trust man.
We often hear that life is short. Indeed, life is short. We have proved that during this pandemic where perhaps, we have known a friend, a family member, or colleague who died due to this. And, it is a lesson for us to treasure what matters most in life. It is not really money. But peace of mind, love, and good relationship with others.
Thirty-three seems long enough but then too short if we are motivated by the reality that we need to do more for the Lord. Happy birthday to me!
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