Two Decades In
I have made it to my twentieth year of life.
Wow, I feel old.
I also feel ever so incredibly young...(The fact that most of my friends have already turned 20 and are reaching their 21st year of life definitely comes in to play. I'm the little baby here haha).
One thing that strikes me most though is how fast time has gone. How fast it seems to be going.
I like to hope that life will be long, but it both amazes and scares me that we're already half way through this year!
It feels like only yesterday when I was spending my days in the sweet summer sun, picking delicate little pink-flavoured flowers to place in vases on the tables at Riccarton House. But here we are. Trimester one of university already over...
Time goes by so fast.
We've really got to make the most of it.
We've got to make it last.
Thinking back on the life I've made so far, there are things I wish I could change. There are many moments I wish I could simply forget. There are also memories I wish I could re-live and experience again. So many things I am proud of and amazed by. And I'm only twenty!
I thought I'd write a bit of a reflection, composed of 20 things I've learnt over these 20 years of my happy life.
These are lessons of the heart that I bring with me into the present.
1. You can let yourself be your own worst enemy. OR you can choose to be your own best friend. If you choose the later option, you will always lead a happy life, no matter the circumstances.
You have everything you need within you RIGHT NOW in order to be happy.
2. You tried your best. You cared. And sometimes, that's enough.
3. The best option is always the scariest....
Don't think about the outcome, risk, trust in the universe and enjoy this wild ride.
4. You can be busy but you can always choose to still go slow. And slow and steady is always the best option.
5. There are many circumstances you cannot control in this world. But the most powerful tool you have control over is your own mind. You choose how to react and act. You get to decide whether you see the pouring rain as a nuisance or as a beautiful miracle that makes the flowers grow.
What you think you become.
6. Always think of the bigger picture. Perspective is important...
Sometimes every thing can seem to be going wrong, but you are ALIVE and that simple fact is so remarkable and important.
7. Appreciate and be grateful for everything in your life, especially the little things.
8. Vulnerability measures courage, bravery and strength. Choose always to be soft and kind in a world that tries everyday to make you hard and closed off.
9. Fill your days with experiences and moments that make you forget to check your phone.
Rather than wasting time looking at people doing cool things with their lives, spend more time looking up and making your own life beautiful.
10. People come and go very quickly from your life. Choose to spend the evening facetiming your friend on the other side of the world or writing a letter to your grandma, rather than struggling away on an essay or scrolling on social media.
Be honest. Be kind. Be only gentle.
Take chances.
And always tell the people you love that you love them.
For your biggest regrets will never be what you did say, but what you didn't.
11. It's not WHAT you're doing but HOW you're doing it. Take me and law. I don't always love having to read 50 page cases where I have to look up every second word in the dictionary. But when I go into it thinking how boring it's going to be, then it will only ever be boring. If instead I look for the positives, suddenly it becomes a lot more interesting. I can get passionate and excited about learning in itself!
12. Only chase good food, drinks and dreams.
13. Don't look back. It only distracts from the now.
But if you do happen to let your head slip back every now and again, don't be sad, rather realise just how far you've come.
14. Be light, don't take yourself too seriously. Laughter and friends and dancing in the kitchen, will keep your heart warm in the depths of winter.
15. Never be too afraid to dance your heart out.
16. Always show up. If you're training for a marathon but your legs are aching and a stitch grips angrily into your side, slow down, but keep going. If you want to get a A+ on that essay, but it's already 11pm and you're eyelids won't stay open, write two more sentences then sleep and get up early to try again. Even if you have no idea what you're doing - give it a shot.
Small steps every day are what make your dreams a reality.
17. What's most important, what defines who we are - is what we do.
Our actions.
It's not what we say we'll do that builds up the monument to our lives. Actions always speak louder than words, they imprint memories of you upon the hearts of others.
And this is what you'll be remembered by...By the way you made others feel.
18. Life isn't about getting the best grades, the highest paid job, winning the race...
Success isn't measured by these fleeting things.
Rather it's about how you spend your days, what you've done with the time you have, the lives you touch with kindness.
19. Remove the mask, show the world who you really are.
Be yourself.
You don't need eyes to love.
20. Everything you've wanted to do?
Just go and do it.
Life's too short to worry about what might happen, so live in the moment and follow your heart as best as you can.
Lastly, as I reach this twentieth year of my life I wanted to say thank you...
To the people who have been with me from the start and will remain by my side till the end. To the one's who stayed for a little while, then had to say goodbye. To the people who pass on by. To the one's who said hello and now won't let go. To the ones I am just getting to know. To the people I love and will love.
Here's to the people that have made me all that I am.
Thank you. You make my life extraordinary.
Cheesy me is signing off, now go on and follow your heart too.
p.s Thanks as always to my model and the one who inspired my adventourous heart aka. Dad <3