I turn 30 in 14 days and this time I am a little more nostalgic and I am taking more time to be reflective than I have for my other birthdays. Don’t get me wrong I am not scared or anxious about turning 30. In fact, I feel great about it; just this birthday has caused me to think a little bit more about the world I exist in and my life till now. What have I learnt in the last 30 years? A hell of a lot but there is just as much I have ignored as well. There have been some key learning’s that have helped me navigate life until now, here are my top ten:
1. It’s not that embarrassing to have your parents drop you off at school. In fact, if you think about it, it’s rather convenient. You don’t have the long boring bus ride, you can get out of bed later and if you appreciate those rides early on you set the tone for later in life…especially during university days or when you are old enough to go to party’s. (If you have kids print this and give it to them)
2. School does not translate to life (don’t print this one off parents): Sorry but for me this is true. To succeed you need to be given emotional and social skills. You need financial literacy skills not algebra. You need to know how to influence someone not what Bruce Dawe thinks of America influencing the rest of the world. School is necessary but I know what has helped me more.
3. Never take a girl to a movie for a date: Yes, this is the stupidest idea ever. You can’t talk, you don’t look at each other, if the movie is crap its even more painful and then when the movie is over you say goodbye.
4. Jeans and sneakers (sneans) are a NO GO: Where I grew up this dress combination is more acceptable but if you live in a population centre of more than 500 or you have common sense don’t do this!
5. I knew nothing at 18, nothing at 25 and finally at nearly 30 I don’t claim to know anything. Confidence helps in life but ignorance and arrogance that I had through my early 20’s only held me back. To have an open mind and to accept everything is far easier.
6. There is nothing better than a bottle of red wine and good company.
7. Love someone they way they want to be loved not how you want to love them
8. Vulnerability is ok. The male peacock doesn’t always have his fan of feathers in the air and his chest out. Bravado is not all people love about us.
9. A healthy family and friends relationship is integral to our wellbeing.
10. We only have each day. I spent at least 27 years concerned of where I would be 2 years ahead of me. Very rarely did that play out the way I wanted, not to say the outcome was bad but I missed what was going on in my life in the moment.
11. I lied here are eleven things: Life is what we make it, good things happen and bad things happen; it’s our response to them that determines the real outcome. Happiness is the journey and success is defined by us and not by others or what others think.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Please share with others if you do, especially someone you know is turning 30.
Ben
