16 Things I Learned in 2016

 

1. Love conquers all. Love is the most powerful force known to mankind, overcoming any barrier we put in front of it.
2. Pursue your passions. We value passion, art, ingenuity far too little; make time for the things you love. Self-expression is vital.
3. Honour your brokenness, your imperfections, your scars, whether physical or metaphysical. Imperfection is a defining quality of the human experience. In the words of Leonard Cohen, “Forget your perfect offering/ There is a crack in everything/ That’s how the light gets in.”
4. Never stop learning. Learn about people, places, ideas, events. Learn through books, conversations, even through mistakes. From learning a language to learning to love, there is a power we are granted only through newfound knowledge.
5. Failure is the greatest gift life will ever give you. Failure is the opportunity to grow, the sunlight for the seedling. It’s up to you to water it.
6. Never forget your roots.
7. Don’t overthink it. What is meant to happen, will happen, when it is meant to happen. There is only so much we can control, and the rest we must accept. Every minute spent in anger or worry is a minute that could have been spent in joy; choose joy.
8. What connects us as humanity is far stronger than what divides us. Race, gender, age, economic class; these become irrelevant at the core of our beings.
9. Possibility is a rather beautiful thing. The power of choice itself creates a blank canvas, and we wield the palettes to paint our destinies. So choose wisely, and even if you don’t, the fresh canvas of tomorrow awaits you.
10. Honesty truly is the best policy. Be honest with those you love, those you don’t love, and most importantly, be honest with yourself.
11. Change is hard, but it is also healthy and at times necessary.
12. Hope is quite a powerful force. Even in the darkest of times, the smallest flicker of hope can become an inferno if the fire is fed well. Don’t be afraid to feed the fire.
13. Find the balance between the material and the metaphysical. Do not become lost in objects, for it is far too easy to succumb to material greed. Cherish the material things you love, your favourite book or the necklace your grandmother gave you.
14. Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be selfish; it’s healthy. You have to love and know yourself before you can appreciate others and have them appreciate you. Self love is the best love.
15. Show the people you care about how grateful you are. Make time. Tell them you love them. Spoil them because they deserve it.
16. Life’s a roller coaster, a one way ticket to self discovery; make sure you enjoy the ride.