31 Lessons Learnt as I Turn 31

Whoopee, it's my birthday today! As I turn 31, I can't believe more than 18 years have passed since those December days in the late '90s when I would celebrate my birthday by baking cakes with my siblings late into the night, waiting for the New Year. Time flies for sure.

And because time flies, I have resolved to make the most out of each day so that another 18 years don't fly by and I turn 49 without having achieved much in life. So as from today, I am back to my routine of waking up before dawn every day, come rain or shine.

Today, unlike in the '90s when I used to bake cakes, I won't feast on any special meal or host a party in my den to celebrate my birthday. Instead, I will reflect on the following 31 lessons I have learnt in my life so far:

1. Rising early is the key not only to personal effectiveness but also to peace of mind.
2. Greet each day with a smile and be grateful for it.
3. Some people are late bloomers and there is nothing wrong with that, for, as Sharon Olds said, anyone who blooms at all is very lucky.
4. Things are not always as easy as some people put it.
5. Nobody gets it right the first time (maybe apart from geniuses of whom there are too few).
6. No one is perfect. Everybody makes mistakes, so try to profit from yours.
7. Praying helps. God exists.
8. Man hatches plans in his mind but it's the Lord's will that prevails.
9. It's not good to have zeal without knowledge.
10. Having knowledge, wisdom and insight saves time, money and energy.
11. A wise person takes pleasure in understanding but a fool delights in airing his own opinions.
12. The Bible is not a piously stuffy tome but an inspiring manual with scientific procedure for successful living.
13. Everybody's path in life is different.
14. Stop worrying and trust divine providence.
15. Avoid comparing yourself with others. It's because we are different that each of us is special.
16. People who say hurtful things are themselves hurting.
17. There will always be haters and harsh critics as we journey in life. Let them not disturb your peace.
18. Be kind since the people you meet could be fighting tough battles you know nothing about.
19. Be assertive at times.
20. People can't just be judged by their worst or weakest moment.
21. Read the best books, interact with high-achieving individuals, but learn to be happy alone.
22. Mind your business. Run your own race.
23. Trust your intuition.
24. Don't trust your memory. Write the idea down as soon as it pops up in your mind.
25. Count your blessings regularly to ward off the blues that creep into your soul.
26. Be prepared.
27. Whatever is worth doing takes longer to achieve than you think.
28. Money is important but not all rich people are successful.
29. He who refreshes others will refresh himself as well.
30. People are different. Some are helpful and encouraging; others are not.
31. Life is like that - incomprehensible and full of surprises.

There you have them: that is, the 31 lessons I have learnt in my life so far. I hope you have enjoyed going through the list. And this being the last day of 2018, I want to wish you success in the coming year. May your 2019 be full of God's blessings and protection. Adieu!