21 Lessons
Since my 21st birthday is less than a few hours away, I’d thought that I’d make a list of 21 major things that I have learned (or should have learned) in the past 21 years of my life.
Turning 21 is considered a milestone in a young American’s life. It makes the age at which you are fully legal. To me, I don’t intend on exercising my privilege as a 21 year old. It’s not that I do not want to, it’s that I don’t really feel obligated; it’s not in my taste of fun. But hey, what I do should never affect what others do, right? And what you do is completely up to you. Anyways, here’s the list of 21 things that I have learned (or should have learned) in the past 21 years.
1. Other than my original birth name, I also respond to being called by my last name or even my “college nickname,” Bacon, but I didn’t respond to that name until 18 years after my birth.
2. The world is a pretty interesting and unique place. It’s new and full of adventure when you are a child and it’s completely yours for the taking. You just have to be careful about how you interact with it, especially if you are a 2 year old baby interacting with every little thing.
3. As a 20 year old thinking on my 3 year old self, using the restroom now is such a simple activity. However, the prospect of teaching a 3 year old to use the bathroom is actually quite scary. I wonder how in the world my parents taught me?
4. I really thank my mom for exposing me to education and playtime early in my life. I truly enjoyed those afternoons of playing games with her, learning to read with Dr. Seuss, learning to do math with those math workbooks she bought at Pick and Save, and more importantly, her role as my first teacher. I still remember learning how to add and subtract using my finger. I don’t think I was able to do simple math without my fingers until 6th Grade. HAHAHA
5. I really thank God for the people that I have met in my life thus far, especially those friendships that have withstood the test of time. She knows who she is, my AMAZING Childhood Friend, a foundation in my life. If I didn’t meet her in Kindergarten, my life probably would not have been the same.
6. Being sensitive is okay, but being overly sensitive can be detrimental to your development as a person.
7. Though you may face difficult experiences with your peers and though at times it may appear like the teacher dislikes your entire class, always try to be a bright spot in peoples’ lives. You’ll be surprised at the ways people will appreciate your work later down the line.
8. Sometimes memorization (like for your Multiplication and Division tables) is really important technique in mastering material. Actually, on that note, repetition (in memorization or rewriting missed spelling words three times each) is a really helpful tool in learning material meticulously.
9. Changes drastically occurs and keeping yourself open to it all can really make the experience worthwhile. More importantly, dedication is essential to improvement in any activity, especially music (in my case). It’s only with intense dedication that you can truly improve.
10. Since I was 10 years old when September 11th, 2001 occurred, I learned that my family and I were not as safe as we once thought. I felt that I received a reality check that year, that the world was a lot different that what I believed it to be.
11. The period of hormones is a time when masculinity and femininity are challenged. Middle School is just an awkward mess for everyone. Your views on your idea of yourself will be challenged, but it’s important that you stay true to yourself, regardless of the pressure or bullying of others. Always, always, always stay true to yourself. Do what you feel is best.
12. Hard work, especially in the face of adversity from “The Man,” can grant wonderful rewards and advancement. I finally felt like I made friends in Middle School when I was 12.
13. It’s tough to “ask someone out.” It’s even tougher when you have to social pressure that somehow “inclines” you to do so. It’s even worse when people lead you on. when it’s really a practical joke. Not to mention, when you have an entire break to think about it; that’s when overanalyzing stinks.
14. I think I became more socially aware of myself this year, especially in my relationships with my friends, especially girls (LOLZ). I started journaling this year. Journaling is a great outlet for letting go of emotions.
15. Not meeting expectations and being blamed (especially with your peers) for it, is very demoralizing. Adversity and criticism as “The Freshman Class that Didn’t Make Championships” has a very negative effects in your relationships with your superiors and how people view you. Also, even more intense work can truly lead to great rewards, especially when it comes in the form of the “Self-Proclaimed Misanthrope,” himself, Mr. Thomas.
16. Passion, not only talent, is necessary for success. If you truly put your heart into everything you do, the risks you take have greater rewards. Also, sometimes visions of what you think you are meant to do are not necessarily what will actually occur. Double also, you’ll never know where your real talents will lie until you try. Triple also, sometimes, you have to sacrifice your pride to take one for the team. Quadruple also, playing tuba/sousaphone was the best mistake that I have ever made.
17. Putting your heart and feelings on the line is risky business, especially when they get crushed. It’s important to remember however, that your support system will always be there to support you, regardless of the outcome. As much as 2007 was both a very positive and very negative year in my life, it became a big turning point in my life. 2007 was a tough year emotionally, but also a spiritually rewarding year. Anyone who has heard the story knows. hahaha Funny to think that being 17 was only 4 years ago.
18. It’s the typical cliche, but “Expect the unexpected.” A lot happened during the 18th year. Senior year was truly a wild ride full of adversity, revelations, and just some pretty heavy stuff. It’s crazy how so much can change within a year. My growth into the man I have become today started with that trip to my “home” back when I was 17 and it still continues today. If only I could see my 17 and 18 year old selves and live it again. My 18th year, with college acceptances, the winter, the summer, and the beginning of college was an emotional roller coaster..
19. When you are given the chance to take a risk, take that risk and do not doubt your abilities. There have been plenty of “what if” and “why didn’t I” moments in my life so far. However, none of them have had such an impact as becoming more involved as a college student. There are two three things I regret at a college student thus far: 1. Not keeping up with my true love, music. 2. Not giving myself a break my first year and taking 4 classes a quarter. 3. Not taking the risk, getting outside of my comfort zone, and getting involved. Now when I look at myself in the mirror, I no longer see the bright and energetic face I remember. I see a worn and tired face. I still see my smile, but it’s a smile that’s had some crazy adventures. I’ve had a lot of adventures so far, but I know that I should have done more.
20. As much as you may compare your success to the success of others, don’t do it. It’s really a waste of time and energy. I’m notorious for doing it and I despise it. Being a science major, and especially a premed does not help either. We all get caught up in the busyness of the many personas we take on, that we forget to take care of ourselves, our essential self. It’s rather ridiculous that we base our success on the success of others; it’s sad. I’m still learning this, but the only person you should compete against is yourself. That’s the only person you need to improve on. We are our worst critics. It’s such a disappointment when you work so hard and not be rewarded, but you have to keep that faith and confidence in yourself. You have to keep fighting and trying to better yourself in every moment.
21. Always, always, ALWAYS be thankful for the support system that you have in your family and friends family. I’m realizing this more this past year that these people are most critical to my success. They are there both in my good times and in my bad times. They are there for my celebrations and for my mourning, but most importantly they are the people who can really guide you to see things you would never notice. I feel like my foundation has grown stronger with my friends and more importantly my family. I can truly say that they are my reason for my pursuit in my dreams. I’m really doing this for them, to make them proud, and to truly celebrate the relationships I share with them.
And all I really want for my 21st birthday, is for them all to be happy for another year and for the years to come.
