45 Things I Have Learned At 45
1) I have learned that I can still strive to be the best I can be.
2) I have learned to never look down on anyone and never make fun of anyone. Be kind and respectful to people. You do not know the person or their struggles and hurting others could deeply affect them.
3) I have learned to never judge a book by its cover. I am 5 feet 11 inches and I weigh over 240 pounds. People have said to me you have everything going for you by just looking at me physically. However, little do they know I have struggled with anxiety and OCD.
4) I have learned to never be a racist. I love and accept people from every ethnicity. This is due to being raised by my extraordinary mother.
5) I have learned that people come and go in my life. They are the right people that are meant to be in my life at this moment. Never hold on to people who are not meant for you to hold on to.
6) I have learned never to look back in regret, because back then was a learning experience for me. And I had a different mindset at the time.
7) I have learned that the majority of things I have worried about never happened. Wow, what a waste of precious energy.
8) I have learned that I cannot be young forever. There will be a day when I will be 90 years old, God willing. When God takes me away from this world, the one thing that I will leave behind is my legacy. We may get older, but what we do in our lives remains on earth. And it is those contributions we will leave that make this world a better place. So, NEVER live to just merely exist.
9) I have learned to love everything about me in a healthy way. Self-acceptance and self- confidence are major keys to happiness. I am who I am meant to be, and I will never change for anything or anyone in this world. I love being me. Try looking in the mirror and saying positive things about yourself in the mirror every day. Confidence starts by believing in “YOU.”
10) I have learned that nothing will come easy to us. If you want success in any area of your life, then you must be persistent, consistent, confident, passionate, hard- working, determined, focused, and unstoppable.
11) I have learned never to compare myself to anyone. We all have our own life and our journeys. We must focus on being the best at what we do. We all have our gifts. Embrace them and encourage others.
12) I have learned not to care what others think of me. When people talk behind my back, I just remind myself that they are “behind” me for a reason, while I focus on moving ahead.
13) I have learned that who I am makes me unique. And I love it.
14) I have learned that I was not born by accident. None of us are. We all have a role to play in this world. We must look deep down inside to find what our soul’s divine purpose is.
15) I have learned to PUT GOD, FIRST. Whatever I do in my life, I always am grateful to God for believing in me, being there for me through the worst struggles, and giving me the strength to persevere and overcome.
16) I have learned that everything does happen for a reason. I would not have been passionate about helping others if it were not for the fact that I had to face anxiety and OCD head- on.
17) I have learned that we must focus on the here and now. Many are too depressed thinking of the past and too anxious thinking of the future. Live today – in this moment. Just go with the flow with what life has to throw at us. You can handle it. Just live day-to-day, in compartments.
18) I have learned to never have expectations about anyone. They owe me nothing. When you have expectations of someone, you are setting yourself up to become disappointed.
19) I have learned that an Act of Kindness should be done every day, from something as small as smiling at someone or holding the door open for someone. But, never forget to be kind to yourself. That is what completes an Act of Kindness.
20) I have learned to do things for others without getting anything back. It is a reward for me to put a smile on someone’s face.
21) I have learned forgiveness is a big part of moving on and being happier. Never hold grudges or become bitter with someone who has wronged you. It only hurts you.
22) I have learned to keep my mouth shut if I have nothing kind to say.
23) I have learned never to waste a single second of my life on our journey. And in our journey, live and enjoy your life as best as you can. There is no need to spend it worrying or being depressed.
24) I have learned that people are so focused on their negative thoughts that they believe them to be real and true about them. NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ARE NOT TRUE. Challenge them.
25) I have learned to never take myself too seriously. My cousins and I chatted on WhatsApp and one of them told us that she was happy to be in the OBC, which is the October Birthday Club. I responded, “Well, I am in the OCD Club. You want to trade?” We all made laughing emojis. So, yes, you may be struggling, but try to make light of any negative situation as that can make it easier for you to cope.
26) I have learned that worries and problems are not permanent. Try remembering what you worried about two years ago. And if you do, does it impact you today? My guess is NO.
27) I have learned that eating healthily and exercising can help prolong your life. So put the chips and soda down and replace them with some veggies and whole grains.
28) I have learned to never give up hope no matter how bad the situation is. We are stronger than we think.
29) I have learned that if I had a stressful day, nothing would bring me more joy than snuggling with my little guy TJ. He is my cat. Pets are very calming and therapeutic.
30) I have learned that FEAR = FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL. If we are not being chased by a LION, then why fear? We are creating something that is just not there.
31) I have learned that you can love someone, but the actions of how much you love someone tell a better story.
32) I have learned if you make a mistake with someone, then apologize. No need to let ego get in the way. Hear their side of the sorry with an open mind.
33) I have learned that your only competition is when you look in the mirror. Always try to improve so you are the best you can be.
34) I have learned that success does not mean everything. Never neglect family and friends who love, support, and encourage you to keep going.
35) I have learned that depression and anxiety are not permanent.
36) I have learned to laugh my problems away because the majority of the time we make mountains out of molehills.
37) I have learned that if your world is good, then everything you see outside of you is good.
38) I have learned that when I feel discouraged, there is a voice inside my head that says, “Look how far you have come. Get up and keep going.”
39) I have learned that we are all put in situations in our lives that we feel we can’t cope with. And we neglect to remember that we are more powerful than our problems.
40) I have learned that it is okay to be alone at times.
41) I have learned that it is okay to cry. And the strongest people do.
42) I have learned to enjoy the smell of coffee, to see the beautiful side of the world, to savour the taste of pizza, to touch someone’s life, and to hear the soothing sounds of beautiful music.
43) I have learned that mindfulness stops us from making the wrong choices.
44) I have learned to see the beautiful side of the world.
45) I have learned that the next 40 years of my life will be a mystery, as I can’t foresee the future. But, I will live with continued passion, love, and enthusiasm. Always live your life this way.
God bless you and never give up!
