32 things I learned which

Changed my life big time

I turned 32 last May and I should say, I felt both excited and pressured at the same time. Excited, because this is another year to explore and learn new things. Pressured, because in the Philippines, to be a 32-year old Filipina is equivalent to the massive pressure by the society to get married and have kids.

Anyway, here are the 32 things I learned:

1. We cannot impose our beliefs on how other people should live their life. The way we live our lives (beliefs included) is not absolute, or not the highest truth. To each our own. Instead, we should accept our differences and learn to coexist. 

2. Sex is naturally good. It is the intention that makes it bad. 

3. Common sense is useful in all of situations whether professional, academic and even practical. 

4. There is nothing wrong in making the first move. And I mean more than being romantic. All we have to do is ask. 

5. Walk. This the cheapest and easiest form of exercise.

6. What and who we love the most have the capacity to give us most pain. 

7. Everything instant has harmful effect in the long run. Instant food will definitely harm your body. Instant gratification will have implications in the future. Learn to wait. Delayed gratification has the most notable rewards. 

8. Individuate. Live independently. It is the most freeing thing ever. 

9. One of the most, if not the most harmful trait of a person is their inability to be accountable of their own mistakes. Many relationships and issues are never resolved because of this. 

10. Many people are not ready for the roles they gained. Some are mothers who are not ready to be mothers, managers who are not ready to be managers, teachers who are not ready to be teachers.

11. The best communicators are those who can actually empathize, or to feel for others beyond understanding. Some are just understanding only based on how they can. 

12. There is beauty in solitary moments. Do not be afraid to be alone. 

13. Once in your life, try to "live on the other side".  Immerse on beliefs you totally disagree with. Your perspective in life might change. You will be more understanding, perhaps. 

14. Allow yourself to grieve, to heal. You need it. Do not deny yourself of it, otherwise it will be dangerous to your physical and mental health.  Many cultures have definite time for bereavement. 

15. Trust makes or breaks any relationship. 

16. Stay liquid. Liquid means water, drink water. Liquid also means cash. Have a decent amount of savings. Refrain from buying a lot of stuff. 

17. One can never understand the meaning of true love until one becomes a Mother, or a Parent. 

18. To judge is easier than to show compassion. 

19. Silence is the most powerful response.

20. Society is more forgiving to younger people.

21. The kindest people are also the meanest once they finally give up on you.  

22. No one can beat power. No one has overcome power. Power corrupts. 

23. There are three kinds of employees. They are, in random order, the Effective, the Average and the Mediocre. An employee can have all of these based on the cycle they are into. 

24. We always have a choice. Refusing to choose can be a choice in itself. 

25. For as long as there are people, there will always be politics, everywhere. 

26. What happened to a child between 0 to 6 years old will shape who they are when they become adults.

27. There are two extreme moments that can reveal who you really are: during your success and during your failure. 

28. Addiction is an escape. One drowns oneself into the pleasure to conceal something. 

29. The poorer you are, the stronger your faith is. 

30. Reality is 20% what is happening outside, and 80% what is happening in your head. 

31. There would be less conflicts if we only learn to have a truthful and respectful communication. 

32. While there are truly shitty moments, life is and will always be, beautiful.