The Big 4-oh. 20 life lessons I’ve picked up since I rocked the crib

Red Bull Stratos
Image credit: The Verge

I take a break from the normal tech-type posts to pen some personal thoughts (somewhat philosophical too). Bear with me. (Thanks to grammar Nazi Andrew for spotting the error :p).

Wow. Has it really been that long? It felt like yesterday when my mom told me, “Don’t grow up so fast.” I was 16. My dad also told me once when I was 12, “You can do (achieve) anything if you put your mind into it.” Two of the most invaluable tips that I’ve lived by since. I’ve been blessed with an incredible family, amazing friends, a colourful career and a rewarding, eventful life thus far.

Little me

Here are some handy life lessons I’ve picked up along the way in my short time on earth (no aliens were involved in this exercise).

#Love, #BeVulnerable
Love is the essence of our being. So love with all your heart, be open to be loved, be vulnerable. Because the only time that you don’t… is when you’re dead.

#BeHumble
Because an arrogant, egoistical, big-headed, rude person is simply an asshole. Some of the most successful people I’ve met were also the most humble.

#FearButDoItAnyway
It’s absolutely alright to fear. It’s our basic instinct for self-preservation. It keeps us safe and comfortable. But wait up. Fear also stops us from being the best that we could be. Fear stops us from taking that first step. Or that little extra.

Ultimately, fear is boring. So, acknowledge fear but do it anyway.

Like him? Ask him out. Think she’s hot? Tell her. Want to jump off a plane? Go right ahead. Looking to start a new venture? Why the hell not?

Failed? So what? Get up and go again.

#ThereIsNoTryOnlyDo
The worst word in the English dictionary is ‘try’. There is no try, just as there is no such thing as ‘I’m kinda pregnant’. Trying is akin to ‘I’ll think about it, I might do it.”

Don’t try, it’s bullshit. Only do.

#DoEpicShit
If you’re gonna do something, do it well. Do it different. Do it amazeballs. Would you stand for mediocrity if you only had one shot?

#WhiningIsAWasteofTime
If you’re not happy about something, do something about it. Quit whining. And complaining. It’s a waste of breath, energy and time. Whining is for idiots.

Red Bull Stratos
Image credit: The Verge

#DoWhatYouLove
Passion is a driver. It’s what gets you up in the morning. #YOLO so why do things you don’t like or hate? Go for what you love.

#NeverStopLearning
Regardless of where, how and whom you’re learning from (even if you’re self-taught) subscribe to the fact that learning is a lifelong process. As a wise man once said, “Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

#IntimacyRules
No. Not sex. At least not limited to. It’s about really looking into someone’s eyes, it’s about making time for someone, it’s about communicating.

#FamilyIsEverything
Nuff said.

#MakeFriends
Yes, the security guard and cleaner lady at your condo. Yes, the lady in the queue. Yes, the dude at the reception. The world doesn’t need enemies. The world needs more friends.

#SeeTheBestInEveryone
There’s good in everyone. And if all of us can see this, the world would be a better place.

#SeeTheWorld
Go. Explore. Travel. Walk. Fly. Ride. New York, Barcelona, Tokyo, Tasmania, Borneo.

#MoneyGivesYourChoice
Money isn’t everything. And money certainly isn’t the root of all evil. But with money, you have (better) choice. Better to have problems when you’re rich, than have problems and with no money.

#Breathe
Remember to stop. Take a break from everything. Clear the head. Cleanse the soul. Rest the body. Stop and listen. Stop and look. Stop and breathe. Really breathe.

#TheUniverseIsFair
The universe gives you what you wish for, if you believe in it enough, and if you want it enough.

#BeGrateful
Always be grateful for what you have. The food on your table. The roof over your head. Your friends. Your family. Your country. Because there are people worse off than you.

#PayItForward
I believe in karma. I believe in energy and the universe. I believe what goes around comes around.

#BeHappy
Life’s way too short to be sad, bitchy and angry.

#Laugh
Remember to laugh. At yourself. By yourself. Or out loud. With friends and family. With strangers. Laugh, a lot. MUAHAHAHAHAHA. LOL. ROFL. LMAO.

Have a fantastic life!

Vernon
Vernon is the founder and chief editor of Vernonchan.com. A graphic designer by profession, he has a deep love for technology, cars, gadgets, food, and travel. He tweets too much and is also known as a caffeine bacterium ("life's too short for bad coffee"). Bleeds Blue (go Chelsea FC!) and considers BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo cars to have in the garage--hallmarks of a true petrolhead.