Things I’ve learned at 25

In a few days I will be “celebrating” my 25^th birthday.

At first I was extremely chilled about the whole birthday thing until someone reminded me that it’s halfway to fifty.

They even dropped the whole “quarter century” term to describe my big day.

Scary stuff that!

Soon I am going to be on pension!

On the brighter side, though, I have enjoyed a fantastic life from December 1989 to December 2014.

I have experienced and witnessed some things in these 25 years that some people may never get to.

I have listed a few things, in no particular order of importance, which I have learned so far (and what I am still learning) in my quarter century of breath:

1. Play hard, work harder: Not much has changed since I turned 18 in terms of my social life. In fact, I think that my party shoes are on even tighter now than they were in my teen days, however, I have learned that work is always priority number one and will continue to be until the day when I do eventually get that pensioner’s discount at Checkers.
2. Identify who your true friends are: I am fortunate that I have an abundance of extremely good friends. When I say “true friends” I am talking about the guys who I will take a bullet for and vice-versa. A true friend is one who will lift your mood when you are in the deepest pit of despair. A true friend knows exactly when to step in and help you out without you having to ask them. A true friend makes fun of you to your face and stands up for you when you are not around.
3. Appreciate your family: Now, this one is perhaps the most important things on the list. It is something that I am still working on because I am prone to the occasional outburst with those I value most. You can’t choose them but you must respect and cherish them. Your world will be a desolate place without them.
4. Play a sport: Exercise is crucial to create those natural endorphins that flood the brain and make you feel fresh and sharp. There was a patch in my early 20s where I didn’t play a sport and those were some of my most difficult times. Coincidence? I think yes!
5. Alcohol does not make you invincible: After a few cold brews it is easy to think that you are suddenly the Incredible Hulk and can take on the world. When you wake up the next morning, hanging like a wizard’s sleeve, with a black eye or a written-off motor vehicle, you quickly realise that the booze never ever plays nicely.

LG