“Time flies, the years go by and life takes its own turns, but the memories remain forever”.
Last week was my 36th birthday, a time when I reminisced about the years gone by and the life lessons that have enriched my path so far. Though I did not do anything exceptional on the day, but at the end of it I felt happy and blessed. Little Miss A wished me umpteen times and sang Happy Birthday in the cutest way. I got loads of cards (my husband got them for the first time) and this made me feel very special. The weekend before that was all about shopping for me. My niece made a video for me and that was the most precious birthday gift ever. My parents like always made me feel like their princess and everyone else showered me with love and blessings. I got birthday messages from all my favorite brands and I could shop more using the discounts. (I confess I am a shopaholic and thank god I have a husband who lets me shop all the time)
Some people say getting old is depressing but I feel this is the best way to look back and remember the good times and lessons learned from life. At 36 there are some life lessons I have learnt and would like to share.
Table of Contents
Believe in Yourself
Always believe in yourself. Whatever you do in life, there will be some people who will not approve and criticize you. If you listen to all the negative feedback, you will surely end up being in depression. Learn to do what you need to do and what you think is right to do in life. Even if you go wrong, you will gain experiences and life lessons that you will treasure in the years to come. If you are one of those who do not like to be criticized, do nothing and say nothing. You cannot keep everyone happy so do not even try. Be happy, do your best and love yourself.
You may like to read our post: Stop Judging a Mother, She was Born New too
It pays to be nice and humble
Life is a bitch and being a bitch, yourself does not help. Being nice and generous always pays. Be gracious, smile and be humble. Life taught me that apologizing to anyone should not be a matter of ego; it helps to save and maintain relationships. Be kind and polite to the people who work for you and help them in every way possible. People like to talk to people whom they can rely on and who will be nice to them.
Stop judging and show empathy
This is one of the most important life lessons I learnt after Little Miss A was born. It is very easy to sit at a distance and judge the choices the other person is making. Try and understand them. Do not judge till you have walked in their shoes. Never judge a book by the cover and never judge a person by what you see. Everyone makes a choice for some reason. Respect it and show empathy.
You may like to read our post, Why Should We Stop Judging People
The most important life lesson – Care for Parents
After Little Miss A was born, I realized that the love of a parent is the most selfless love. The love a parent has for their child is a different level all together. Parents do not see how old you are, they always love and care for you like they cared when you were a baby. I have renewed respect and love for my parents since I became one. Your parents have done a lot for you and when they are old it is your duty to make things easier for them. I hope I am able to be a good daughter who can take care of them.
You may like to read our post: Never Ignore Your Parents, They are the Reason Why you are and Who you are
Do not take people for granted
Our existence is uncertain and does not announce what course it will take. Life has taught me not to take people around me for granted especially the ones who love and care for me. Visit people, call them and stay in touch. There will be one day when this special person will not be there and you will repent it all your life. People can be annoying but remember so can you so make the effort and love everyone who loves you.
You may like to read our post: Parenting Your Parents
Take things in control and be optimistic
Do not sit and wait for someone to do things for you or for miracles to happen. Nothing comes on a bed of roses and you have to deal with the thorns with a positive attitude to get something you want. This is one of the life lessons I learned but to be honest not implemented completely. I am lazy in many ways and this is something I want to overcome by the next birthday.
Stop worrying and reduce stress
There is no point in getting stressed and worrying about things which are not in your control. It is good to be in control but it is not possible always. I believe in God and I know he will do what he thinks is the best for me. If you fail to manage stress, you lose focus and also ignore other things which are important and need attention. I learnt this lesson late and I wish I had learnt it earlier; life would have been so simple.
Take care of your health
Health is wealth and the last year is when I realized how true it was. We blame things and make excuses and lead an unhealthy lifestyle. When you are healthy and fit, it is for you and not for anyone else so you will need to do this on your own. My mom has amazing will power and determination and in the last year has knocked off all the excess weight. This year I hope I can do the same and take things in control. Of all life lessons the one that will be there with you even when no one else is, is your knowledge on how to treat your own body. A healthy body is the best gift you can give yourself. Lead a balanced and healthy life and you will realize how things change.
Few more of the life lessons that I want to share: –
- Connect emotionally with people and read between the lines
- Do not aim to be what others want you to be
- Pay attention to what people do for you and not what they say
- Always trust your instincts
- Family comes first
- Listen more and speak less. After all, we have one mouth and two ears for a reason.
- Parenthood is the best teacher and nothing else teaches you more about life
- Travel every year as it is food for the soul.
Life has been beautiful and kind so far and I hope it remains so. Life lessons are the way to think back and know what you did wrong and how to make the coming years beautiful. So, cheers to the coming birthdays and I hope I enjoy life.
“Birthdays make us older, but that’s what we keep in our hearts that makes us stay young”
Believing in yourself – such an important lesson and yet one which is easily forgotten. That’s why its important to remind yourself of this, everyday.
[…] (You may like to read our post, Life Lessons in my Mid 30s) […]