40 Things I’ve Learned, Now that I’m 30

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!

It’s July 15. I’m now 30 years old. (Wow, parang kelan lang, 29 ako, ngayon 30 na.)

Kidding aside, since it’s my birthday, I am thinking what “gimmick” can I do to make this day memorable. Would you help me? No? Ok fine..

Hmmm. Maybe I can file a leave for 30 days, and go to South Korea or Batanes with my girlfriend. Or have a vacation to Baguio with my family. Or treat my friends with their favorite Ambers and Pizza (Sino may card dyan ng Shakeys?)

What if I write something and share it to someone. That could be a great idea. What do you think? It will be my first time doing it. I was inspired by an article I have read in The Medium. He tells about 20 things he learned about life. Maybe I could do it too. But instead of 20, I will double it. I will make it 40.

I will call it my 40 W.O.W. , short for Forty Words of Wisdom (Brilliant!).

This will be a collection of the Bible verses, quotes, lines, spoken words that made impact in my life since then. It can be about hope, love, life, chasing dreams, getting hurt, making mistake and moving on. It can also be finances, entrepreneurship, health and prayer.

So let us cut it short now. Ladies and gentlemen, in no particular order, I am presenting to you my 40 W.O.W. Lines!

Finances

The best financial advice I learned Expenses = Income-Savings-Tithes — Bo Sanchez, Founder of The Feast, TrulyRichCLub

It is not how much you earn, it is how much you spend.

“Di bale ng sobra, huwag lang kulang.” — Engr. Flory Delos Reyes, MDC MEFP Consultant

“Doesn’t mean it’s passive, it means permanent. Doesn’t mean it’s passive, it means easy (effortless).” — Dan Lok, The FU Money Author (Talking about passive income myth)

“Don’t aim for financial freedom. Aim for FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE.” — Dan Lok, The FU Money Author

Money cannnot buy happiness. But if you allow it, it can rob your happiness.

Love and Relationship

“The best way to spell LOVE is T.I.M.E.” — Pastor Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Don’ look for partner who is compatible with your personality. Rather, look for person who will and can love a CHANGING PERSON. That’s what you call unconditional love.

Say “I LOVE YOU” to your partner. Believe me, it makes their heart go wonder.

The woman is always right!

Making Mistakes and Moving On

There are two ways to learn. Either you learn from other’s mistakes or you learn from your own mistake.

Don’t be hard on yourself whenever you make a mistake. Ask yourself, “Will this still matter 5 years, 10 years from now?”

“A mistake is a future benefit, the value of which is yet to realized .”— Edwin Land,inventor of Polaroid Camera

“Gonna be tough, if you gonna be stupid.” — Gary Halbert, The Legend Copywriter

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” — Robert Kiyosaki, Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Shit Happens! Period.

Don’t be afraid to speak in English especially in front of your client or friends. Always keep in mind that English is not a measure for intelligence. It’s a language.

All you have learned in school was just a fragment of what you will learn about life. But unlike in school where exams are given after the lesson, in life, lessons are given after the exam.

Health

Brush your teeth, at least twice a day, everyday. If you don’t, toothache could be your worst nightmare! (SFX: Evillaugh)

Listen to your body. When it tells you to rest, rest. When it tells you to sleep, sleep. K-Dramas can wait.

Having Support

“There will always be those who support you and those who criticize you.If you focus on the critics, you are turning you back on those cheering you on.” — Peng Joon, PlatformClosing

You are not alone. We are all on the same boat.

Love your parents and siblings. They are the BEST SUPPORT System you can ever have.

Staying Positive

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. — Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

Stop focusing on how stressed you are. Remember how BLESSED you are.

“Looking on the bright side of life, never killed anybody.” — Jenny Han

Statement 1: Hi God, I have a BIG problem. Statement 2: Hi problem, I have a BIG GOD. See the difference?

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:34

Facebook will either make you or break you so keep your guard on.

Chasing Dreams

Rather than asking what you want to achieve in life, ask yourself what are you willing to sacrifice. Unless you know what you can sacrifice, your dream is just a wishful thinking.

One Day or Day One. You Choose.

Success is just the tip of the iceberg. It is the by-product of hours of sleepless nights, toll of hardships, heartbreaking rejections and faithful prayer.

“Kung kaya nila, kaya mo rin.” — Mama Glo

Time Management

“Bakit ka ba nagmamadali?” — Vann Roy Batislaon, QSI Supervisor

Time management is a hoax. A myth. We are all given 24 hours a day. Nothing more. Nothing less. MANAGE YOUR PRIORITIES instead.

Take notes. I am strong believer that the mind is designed to ANALYZE, not to memorize.

About Praying

Pray before you go to sleep. Others don’t even sleep.

Pray after you wake up. Others don’t even wake up

That’s a long list! If you reached this part then I assumed you have read those lines one by one. Wow, thank you for the effort. Very much appreciated. (High Five!)

You know what, there are still I want to include in the list. But I decided not to “yet”. (Maybe when I reached 40.)

Why I am sharing this?

What would I get after compiling those lines? What would YOU get after reading those lines? The answer is simple.

Every lines you have read have a life experience associated with it. Those lines created an impact and realizations that influence the way I think and the way I feel.

When I feel I am losing confidence, I go thru the list and read “Kung kaya nila,kaya mo rin”. This is the advise my mother always tells me since I was a kid. An even until today, I live with it.

Recently, I take note of one of the self- awakening lines of Dan Lok about financial freedom.

“Don’t aim for financial freedom. Aim for FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE.” — Dan Lok, The FU Money Author

Who does not want financial freedom? I think everyone right? But the way he explains the line, it challenges my belief. Since then, the way I think about finances changes.

And lastly, the main reason why I wrote this can be summarized by this quote,

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”- W. Clement Stone

(Andyan na ba ang Pancit ni Ka Ambers at Pizza ni Ka Shakeys?, antagal!)

P.S. Whoever reads this article; I challenge you! Create your own list of W.O.W. lines. It doesn’t matter how many as long as it creates impact in your life. You don’t need to share it with everyone like I do. You keep it. Read it. Live with it. Change it. Do whatever you want. Because as we all know, life is a continuous learning!