I remember very well it was on a rainy season and we were headed to my grandma’s place. On reaching the bridge we were not surprised to see nothing but water only – We were used to it. River Galana had overflown and it seemed like it was the days of Noah and the Ark.
Just like any other African man, my two uncles came out of the cruiser to inspect the possibility of us crossing the river despite the fact that the bridge had been swallowed by water. On reaching the river bank, out of nowhere we all saw two big and well-fed hippopotamus… Guess what happened! Let me know in the comment section below.
Anyways, today we are to talk about the life lessons I have learned through my 20s… Just so you know, I am still somewhere in my 20s at the time of writing this.
Here are my 10 Powerful Life Lessons So Far
One fact of life is that there are hills and valleys and every decision you make definitely the consequences will be awaiting you somewhere. Please abeg, strife to make the right decision always.
- Exercise and Live a life of patience.
Patience is an art that is learnt everyday. Remember life is a school.
Good things and authentic achievements are not achieved on a single click. It takes time. A seed is never sowed today and tomorrow you eat the fruits, it takes time depending on the tree planted. A coconut tree and an avocado tree do not mature at the same time neither do they have the same worth.
Learn to allow the process of growth to take its cause. The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything – A time to plant and a time to reap.
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet ~ Aristotle
2. Pursue your passion.
Your passion may not be the thing you are good at but that which sets your soul on fire. That which you enjoy doing.
Think of passion like falling in love. You don’t just sit at home and decide you’re going to fall in love with a certain person, you go out and share different experiences with different people until you do.
Passion doesn’t arrive while waiting for inspiration to strike, it’s uncovered through action and work.
Always love what you do and do what you love.
3. Have and exercise Faith.
First of all have faith In God, the author of thy life. He never disappoints. He tells us to call unto His name and He will respond to us.
There are points in life when you will be down to a point of doubting yourself. In such cases, you definitely need to have something to give you hope and strength to keep on pushing through this wonderful life.
You were not created to give up neither are you to become a tail. God who brought you this far will not leave you but see you through. So you need Him every moment of your life.
4. Have a support system.
No matter how much we want to be strong, there will be times when the challenges in our lives are a bit too much. Be compassionate with yourself.
Sometimes you will not be OK, and that is OK, that is life. This is where the most valuable people or person that God brought to your life comes in. These are friends, I call them the support system. These are the people you reach out to when you are down and by talking to them you feel rejuvenated once more.
That friend you share your sorrows and happy moments with. Friends you never want to lose and you would do what it takes to keep them.
If you have such a friend, please keep her/him, it ain’t easy to find one.
5. Vulnerability heals.
In my previous article, The Wounded Solder I highlighted how society has encouraged people especially men to suffer in silence. However, this should not be the case, at least with you.
Being real, open, and vulnerable invites people in and allows them to relate to you on a much deeper and more intimate level.
Vulnerability, practiced with safe and loving people, can heal emotional pain and strengthen relationships. That is what we all desire to have. Let down your walls and connect. It’s never gonna be in vain but liberating.
6. Flee from any kind of debt.
Kukopa harusi kulipa matanga. This is a Swahili saying which means that it feels good to ask for debt but paying it can be compared to mourning – It is painful. No one loves mourning so should avoid getting yourself in bad debt.
Buying things you can’t afford will only give you a short-term buzz, but in the long run, it’s extremely stressful. Live within your means. Save money. Wait until you can afford it. Live a debt-free life.
7. Mind your Health.
Health is an invaluable treasure – always appreciate, nurture, and protect it. In Swahili, we say, usipoziba ufa utajenga ukuta which means, if you do not fix the hole you will be forced to build a wall. Good health is often wasted when one is young before you have a chance to appreciate it for what it’s worth.
We tend to take our good health for granted, because it’s just there. We don’t have to worry about it, so we don’t really pay attention to it… until we have to.
Start developing healthy habits while you’re still young and healthy. Do not take any chance with your health. Take good care of it.
8. Be Kind.
In a world full of negativity, choose to be different and foster a spirit of kindness.
Small expressions of kindness have an enormous positive impact on other people and on your own happiness. It doesn’t take much to be kind.
Doing good actually feels good too! It can be hard to understand, but the act of kindness is just as psychologically rewarding as receiving kindness from others. Make kindness your natural way of being, starting from today.
9.Own your mistakes and failures.
We all make and have made mistakes at some point in life, some small and others big and embarrassing. The difference lies in how we handle those mistakes.
Never try to cover up or blame others for what went wrong. If you messed up, admit it and own it. Do not be afraid of looking weak, not admitting your mistake makes you look worse and costs you respect.
Learn from your mistakes and do not repeat them. Working to understand your mistakes is one of the best forms of self-education. Wake up, dust yourself, and keep moving.
10. Keep Learning.
There is so much to learn and explore in our lifetimes. Take advantage of learning every single day.
Challenge yourself to acquire a new skill, read something different, take an online class. Learning keeps our minds engaged and sharp, even into old age.
Learning does not stop after you graduate from school. Never stop being interested to learn something new or to further enhance a skill you already have. Keep learning.
Conclusion.
Life is a school where we learn and unlearn new and old things respectively. I find it exciting to keep track of where I came from and the experiences I encounter on almost a daily basis. I can’t wait to learn more in the next coming years.
If today seem to be tough to you, remember that better days are coming.
I leave you with the following portion of lyrics from Tauren Wells ~ Hills and Valleys
I’ve walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I’ve felt the pain of heartbreak
And I’ve seen the brighter days
And I’ve prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place
And I have held the blessings
God, you give and take away
No matter what I have, Your grace is enough
No matter where I am, I’m standing in Your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!
