I recently found myself going through some of my writing from more than ten years ago.

Before Live. Notice. Write., there was My Heart on a Blog, a little corner of the internet where twenty-something me wrote about life, faith, love, work and whatever else I happened to be figuring out at the time.

Reading it now is equal parts nostalgic, amusing and surprisingly familiar. I have changed a lot since then, but apparently, I have always been someone who lives, notices and writes.

So, every once in a while, I am going to reach into the archives and share something from an earlier version of me.

Here is one from October 2015: Happy Twenty-Something!

As I turned a year older on Thursday, aside from sipping fruity drinks perched on a stool in a pool bar as I do every year, (I take my birthday very seriously). I remembered to ponder on the things I have learnt.
You see, life is really about learning and most times we miss the lessons that are easily disguised by their simplicity.
Have you ever had a conversation with a toddler and learnt a valuable life lesson?  NO? You probably take life too seriously.
In every way, the last year has been a great one. I felt like I finally found myself, Love found me and I have never been more convinced of God’s grace and mercy that is NEW every Morning. Every single morning, there is a fresh supply.  I added weight (Oh the struggle that this has been!) and my mom can now stop telling me how much more I need to eat and the clothes she bought me two years ago can finally fit! Ah, such little joys.

Aside from that, I did pick up a few other things from work, friends, family and from colleagues.

On faith

I have learnt that thoughts are prayers.  As my grandmother loves to say “ Kuhoya to guturia maru” Loosely translated as prayers are not only what you say when you kneel. Think and Speak good things over your life. Control what you let into your mind.

I have learnt that our needs are not a strain on God’s provision. Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door shall be opened.

As life unfolds, we almost always ‘get’ why things turned out the way they did.
God will not always bless us with what we want but will sometimes bless us by protecting us from what we don’t need. Keep the faith.

I have learnt that tithing works. Try it.

Persistence is key. Other than Insurance agents, my 3 year old is most times annoyingly persistent. Shout till the universe listens. This world does not reward people who want things half-heartedly.

On Mistakes

It is a great tragedy to go through life without believing in our ability to rise above our mistakes. There isn’t a mistake so grave that should tie us to our past. We make great mistakes, we make even greater comebacks!

In order to rise, we need to own up to our foolishness and/or miscalculation. Realize that when all is said and done, the buck stops with YOU. Take responsibility for your actions. Even those you make while drunk (Do people still use this as an excuse?)

Life will sometimes give you a second/ third/ fourth chance, are you wasteful with yours or are others luckier?

On love

No matter how much you care for people, they ultimately make their own life choices, be a blessing and let them choose. You can suggest, threaten, persuade, summon the proverbial fire and brimstone but at the end of the day, the power to choose their path lies with them.

You will/ can find love almost anywhere and the best kind is that which stems from friendship.

When we claim not to believe in love, it is likely that we have not found the kind that will change us. Or that we are playing it safe not to hurt again. When love consumes you, it is impossible not to believe in it.

I have also learnt that it is impossible to love someone without ever getting mad at them.
The people you love have a way of getting on your nerve. Yes that one! And it is okay to sometimes feel like you need to slap them. With a stone PHONE. On the face. Just don’t do it. It’s a passing cloud. Trust me.

We chose who we love and there is a thin line between love and addiction. Do you love them or are you addicted to the idea of  being with them? Addictions are not healthy. Neither is this one. If you need help, get help.

On career

Until you have found that which makes you fully and wholesomely you, accept that you are still learning, and there is room for improvement. There is always the chance to take a leap. Don’t be afraid to start over.

Along with hard work, there’s an element of luck in how far your career goes. As you work smart, pray that you get lucky and that opportunities may find you when you are most prepared for them.

And from my friend who loves Jazz on Tuesdays, life favors people who are ready to re-invent themselves. ‘Self- made men’ as he calls them. Learn and adopt to change faster than your peers.

On books

There is such a huge world that we have not explored. When you can’t travel, read. My best reads this year have been Chimanda’s Half of a yellow sun, Americana and Purple Hibiscus. I also thoroughly enjoyed Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist.

It is never too late to go back to school. January will find me in class again!

Lastly,

Take every bit of advice with a pinch of salt. Everybody’s race is different.  Chew the meat and spit the bones. You are the only one living your story.

Twenty-something, I am ready for you! 

Originally published on My Heart on a Blog on 24 October 2015.