The big three-OH

Thirty. Dertig. Dreißig.

In 'The Myth of Sisyphus' the French existentialist Albert Camus comments that the age of thirty is a crucial period in the life of a man (or woman, in this instance) for at that age he (or she) gains a new awareness of the meaning of time.

Time.

Turning thirty means that I have lived on this earth for 10957.3 days. It also means that, if I make it to 80, then I only have 18262.1 days left to do everything that I want to do in my life, and that I have 3652.4 days left until I reach middle age...so my mid-life crisis is not as far away as I thought!10957.3 days is a long time. Which got me thinking about what I have learnt over all those years. If I could travel back in time, what would I choon my 18 year old self? Probably something along the lines of "where on earth did you get your dress sense" or "it must be so nice being so carefree" - who do I sound like right now?!?! Some crazy grown up person...

I came up with a few things that I have learnt in my life so far. Inconvenient truths according to leechipip. Personally, I think many of them are pretty damn profound, whilst others are just a bit silly. Anyhoo, 30 years is a long time to accumulate all this wisdom, so I hope that some of it rings true to you. Happy birthday to me xxx

* Happiness comes from loving yourself and having respect for others, which in return will lead to success. The happier you are, the more successful you'll become - and never measure your success against someone else's. Your successes in life are unique - comparing yourself to other people is just stupid.

* True friends are those who have seen you at your worst and still love you for who you are. They never expect you to conform and will always be around when you need them the most.

* There is no place in life for rude people. You can achieve anything you wish to without having to resort to rudeness. That also goes for bitchiness, snobbiness, and being condescending.

* No matter how old you get, your parents are, and always will be, right about everything. Trust me.

* TV/Playstation/Computer Games are the biggest waste of time on this planet. Go outside and enjoy life the good old-fashioned way, like you used to as a kid. That evil little box is stealing your precious time. No-one ever lay on their death bed and said "oh, how I wish I had watched more TV..."

* Don't waste your time trying to consume copious amounts of revolting spirit liquor in an attempt to get completely knackered so that you can socialise with other completely knackered people. Rather spend your energy and time on tasting and appreciating wine. It really is glorious, and will serve you well later on in life when you become all sophisticated and have to attend dinner parties and fancy weddings and stuff...plus, its actually good for your heart - win!

* Look after your body - you only get one and you cannot trade it in for a new one when you get old and buggered. A little bit of exercise never killed anyone...

* Do not rely on other people as much as you rely on yourself. It doesn't hurt as badly when you disappoint yourself, but it feels horrible when you put your trust in someone else and they let you down. Be true to yourself.

* Friends can be fickle, but family is forever. Be good to your family - they are always there, through good and bad.

* Toast will ALWAYS fall onto the buttered/jammed side if you drop it.

 

* Hangovers get harder to deal with the older you get.

 

* If people don't like you or what you stand for, that's their problem, not yours. Not everyone has to like you and you don't have to please everyone all the time. Saying no every once in a while is allowed.

 

* Enjoy the irresponsibility and poverty of youth - once you have a job and enough money to jol, you have zero time and way too many commitments. Growing up is seriously overrated.

 

* Save. Save. Save. The earlier you start, the better! Plus, poor old people are really depressing. Its also motivation for that day when you can piss off into the world, leaving your well educated and successful children behind, and travel to all those cool places with all the money you get back when your RA pays out.

 

* Have an opinion - and stick to it. If you like the Blue Bulls, then like the Blue Bulls - even though the rest of the world thinks they're a bunch of twats...good for you.

 

* Never stop learning. Do something new that excites and inspires you every day.

 

* Puppies, kittens, babies, etc. all grow up. If you're not prepared to look after them when they're all grown up, eating you out of house and home, and requiring daily exercise/entertainment/schooling - don't get/have one.

 

* Drunk driving is dumb. Your life is worth more than one good party.

 

* If you're going to shoot an animal for sport, you should be prepared to eat it.

 

*Sun-cream. Nuff said.

 

* Weddings are the coolest parties EVER.

 

* Don't take life too seriously. Laugh at yourself. I do all the time...

 

-the end-

 

 

 

 

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde