20 Things I Have Learned At 20

Today I reached a milestone in my life: I have lived for two decades. It is my 20th birthday today and I have been blessed to have learned many things in my life from academics to living life. So I thought that I would write down 20 of the lessons that I think are extremely important.

1. Everything is connected in some way. Nothing happens isolated from everything else. It is important to look at more than one aspect to understand the whole picture.
2. Everything happens for a reason. Similar to the first idea, but this is more along the lines of experience. What happens to us in our lives gives us a lesson to learn, whether it is in triumph, defeat, sorrow, or joy. It all culminates in the creation of our individual characters.
3. Words are more powerful than any weapon. Once something has been said it cannot be taken back, which is one of the reasons words are so important. A lie can ruin a career and reputation and sometimes it can be irreversible. We must make sure we are careful when we choose which words to use in  a given situation. You never know what might be repeated or taken in a wrong way.
4. Never stop learning. From the time we are born we begin to learn. There is something that can be learned everyday from a random fact to a new life skill. Constant learning helps keep the mind sharp and who knows when that little piece of knowledge you forgot you had will come in handy.
5. Learn to go with the flow. Sometimes in life we have a certain plan, and when it goes out of whack we freak out. Instead you should just adapt to the situation. The ability to adapt is what has allowed us as a species to evolve to become who we  are today. Just because something does not go as expected, it does not mean it is a disaster.
6. It will all turn out all right. Back when I was depressed, I did not think any good could come out of it. But in the end I am happier than ever and excited to live. When a disaster hits, focusing on the negative will not bring about anything better. In the end everything will be ok.
7. Enjoy time spent alone. People seem to make a huge fuss about spending time with people and always being out. But they forget the wonderful feeling of solitude. It can be hard to think when surrounded by lots of people and being alone gives you the opportunity to do that and recharge your batteries.
8. Think for yourself. If you do not feel like doing something then do not do it. A good idea is not made good by a large number of people doing it. You may have a unique perspective that others do not realize and that can give you an edge in life.
9. Read books. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and I have learned a lot from the various books I have read. You do not need a class assignment in order to pick up a good book.
10. Eat breakfast. Whenever I skip breakfast, my day is not the same. Breakfast starts your day off with a boost of energy and keeps you from getting too grumpy.
11. Exercise. Whether it be working out, playing a sport for fun, or just taking a walk it is important to exercise. Your body is the only one you have so it is critical that you take good care of it and that means getting a good amount of exercise every week.
12. Enjoy music. Each style of music has its time and place. No genre is better than another and all can be appreciated. Aldous Huxley once said "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
13. Do not sit on the sidelines. Life is meant to be lived, so don't stay at home watching TV or surfing the web. Go out and experience all of the wonderful things life has to offer. Go dancing, see a show, go to a concert. The the number of activities that you can do are endless.
14. Do things you think are fun. Who cares if it doesn't give you anything else. If you enjoy doing it, it is worth the time doing.
15. Keep your brain in shape. Similar to exercise, this is the only mind you have. Do puzzles, learn new words, a new language, anything to stimulate your noggin.
16. Don't just absorb, add. Give something to what you do, don't just take it all in. Participate in dialogues, paint, dance, sing, play. Get active in what you enjoy give back to what brings you joy.
17. Don't listen to what others say about you. What really matters is what you think of yourself. You know what kind of person you are and as long as you stay true to yourself then people will realize who the real you is.
18. Love is more important than anything. As long as love exists, terror and destruction will never prevail. Love is a bond that is stronger than anything else in the world and is one of the keys to happiness. Whether it is love of another person, what you do, or some idea, it is all that matters.
19. Mistakes are okay. Despite what school may tell you, it is okay to make mistakes. It is the best way to learn and it teaches us something new. You should not be penalized for making a mistake, it should be rewarded because it means you are doing something.
20. Be grateful for the little things. Being grateful is the best way to appreciate all the wonderful things you have in life. I try every night to think of at least five things I am thankful for and appreciate are part of my life. There are so many things that people take for granted, realize what you have and be grateful for it.

I've learned a lot in the course of my short life and I hope to learn even more. Here's to life my friends!

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