The older I get the more importance I place on birthdays, at least in terms of celebrating them. You’d think it’d be the opposite, but as a child we didn’t really do birthdays. So I told myself that when I grew up I’d make it a point to at least acknowledge that I had made it safely through another year. Life, after all, is unexpected and therefore worth celebrating any chance you get! Not to mention, it’s a great time to self-reflect and re-evaluate and establish goals for the year to come.
I suppose I ought to give a shout out to Tom Cruise, since it seems he might need a bit of birthday cheer, but this is about me! And I wouldn’t want the crazy Scientologists raining on my parade like they did years ago as I stood crying outside KFC on Tottenham Court Road, waiting for G to come fetch me. Admittedly, I was upset about the Zinger (temporarily discontinued) but probably more so that I had lost my cool with the Scientologists who wouldn’t let me leave despite having told them that they were worse than the Mormons. It certainly makes for a great story now (perhaps I’ll elaborate another time), but I was seriously traumatised!
Ah, but I digress. Where was I? Birthdays and life lessons. Here are ’30-something’ things I’ve learned in life that have helped shape who I am today.
- Life is unexpected, always eat dessert first. You could say this is one of my life’s mottos.
- Don’t hold a grudge, they only hurt the holder.
- Learn to forgive yourself and let go.
- It is okay to ask for help.
- Failing means you’ve tried and trying is the first step toward success.
- Happiness is a choice.
- Life really is what you make of it.
- Learn from your mistakes. This might sound simple, but you’d be amazed how many people make the same mistakes twice. Erm…including me…
- An example of a life lesson I had to learn twice: don’t bake with plastic catering boxes — they don’t belong in the oven.
- Just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t mean I’m supposed to as well.
- A moment on the lips, a lifetime on your damned hips.
- Every penny counts. As a penny saved is a penny earned.
- Be organised — it will make life a lot easier.
- Value your friendships.
- Love with all your heart.
- Embrace spontaneity as it will make life a lot more interesting.
- Sometimes mum does know best.
- Always get a good night’s sleep.
- Don’t go to bed angry.
- Always remain curious.
- Laugh every day.
- Crying does not mean you’re weak.
- Be patient with your aging parents.
- Thank you and please go a long way.
- Sometimes it’s okay to forgive those you love. Sometimes it’s also okay not to. Time will only heal some wounds…
- Work smart, play hard.
- Know your boundaries and demand that others respect them.
- Be kind to yourself and love yourself but don’t make excuses when you know you could do better.
- Don’t waste your time looking for people that aren’t looking for you.
- Never stop learning.
- Health is everything.
- Take responsibility for your actions.
- Always be polite, but sometimes when necessary it’s okay to tell someone to f**k off.
Though I doubt anyone with the same birthday will be reading this, happy birthday to all of my birthday buddies out there! And here’s wishing myself a fantabulous birthday and a wonderful trip to Iceland to kick off the new year!
Needless to say, I’m super chuffed! The Moomin light has a nice calming effect and I could watch Moomin change colours for hours. Which do you like better? Pastel or neon?
Catastrophic Findings 