THEY say that the best things in life come to those who wait. And as I write these words I am thinking about how far I’ve come and how much I’ve changed. Last week I sold some of my clothes, some I don’t wear anymore and some I haven’t even used. Apparently I already have too much and the excess clothing are taking up so much space. I’m even planning to sell several pairs of my shoes next. But exactly two years ago, I barely had anything. And more than anything, it was patience and undying faith that brought me here.
At 23, here are lessons I’ve picked up along the way from a scraggly college student barely making ends meet to a professional writer at present.
•Don’t obsess over numbers
High grades don’t define how much you’ve learned. But focusing on learning will get you good grades. It’s not how high your grades are, but how you got them.
•You don’t have to be popular or liked by many
Do the right thing regardless of whether people accept your reasons or not. You don’t have to do what everyone is doing in order to fit in.
•Life is not a race
We have different timelines. We don’t graduate, get a job, a house or a car at the same time. It’s not about getting there first. The journey matters just as much as the destination.
•There is no one way and there is no “right” way
There are many paths that lead to one destination. Not all people are brought up the same way you are after all.
•People come and go
Not all friends are meant to stay. Goodbyes are painful, but see and appreciate the role they play in your life and grow from every experience.
•Don’t drink with strangers
Even wolves can dress like a sheep.
•Don’t publicize your personal life
The less people know, the better.
•Don’t gossip
Listen, but don’t spread stories that may potentially damage someone else’s reputation.
•Don’t be in a rush
Just wait a little bit more. It is in the waiting that you develop patience, strength of character, perseverance, and faith in God, faith in yourself, and faith in the Universe. So don’t stress too much. Everything will be okay. The best is yet to come but only if you learn to wait.
Andrea Isabelle Mejos is a young writer from Davao. She likes to seek beauty from all angles- people, products, places- and writes them down.