Greenlights : 72 life lessons I should know as I turn a year older!
Tough times should never compromise the resilience of your spirit.
When I turn a year old, I don’t organise a party or surround myself with balloons. The interesting part is that I was born on the 1st of May, and it is internationally recognised as Labour Day. So, growing up, this day was always an off day—no school and no work!
So naturally, growing up - I usually used the day just to reflect, read and write - you know just like every good day in my books!
This year felt different. Turning a year older meant that I was firmly in my late twenties, with a wealth of experiences and lessons under my belt. But there's always more to learn and explore in life.
Seeking to crowdsource some sage advice, I took to Instagram and asked followers if they had any pearls of wisdom to impart. The responses poured in, offering up an array of life lessons and hard-won truths that resonated deeply. From practical tips on self-care to profound insights on relationships and faith, the submissions were beyond what I expected.
Q: Why did I make the ask?
A: To find Greenlights!
“A greenlight is being kind to our future self. It’s things in our life that affirm our way; they say, ‘Go, proceed, more, please carry on. Greenlights can also be disguised as yellow and red lights. A caution, a detour, a thoughtful pause, an interruption, a disagreement, indigestion, sickness, and pain. A full stop, a jackknife, an intervention, failure, suffering, a slap in the face, death. We don’t like yellow and red lights. They slow us down or stop our flow. They’re hard. They’re a shoeless winter. They say no, but sometimes give us what we need.” - Matthew McConaughey, in his book Greenlights.
In this article, I've distilled 72 of the most poignant and thought-provoking takeaways from that crowdsourced wisdom. These are for you reading this!
Some may reinforce lessons you've already learned, while others might challenge you to see the world through a new lens. But collectively, they serve as a reminder that, at my age, I am still a work in progress, with so much more to discover about myself and the world around me.
So if you are seeking some hard-earned guidance, join me as we unpack these 72 nuggets of wisdom :
Do good; it will come back to you.
Accept what you have and be truthful to yourself.
Your baseline happiness level is determined by how well you keep promises to yourself.
Know your passion and go for it.
Know your circle.
God is always in control.
Live in the moment.
Don't take things personally.
God is the beginning of true wisdom.
Embrace Failure.
Your Health is the most valuable asset.
Make every moment count.
Adaptability, Gratitude and Resilience.
Yourself + God = Majority.
Always put God first.
Pray, Forgive, be Silent, and Focus on your dreams.
Pray all the time, Be grateful, and Talk less.
Happiness Comes Within.
Make Mistakes and Learn from them.
Love is all we ever want.
Know your passion and go for it.
The table turns.
Be truthful with yourself.
Things are never as bad as they seem.
It’s all a matter of perspective.
Memonto Morri.
Accept God’s decree.
See that smile; never lose it for anything.
Celebrate the little things and the big ones.
Don’t overlook yourself.
Be kind to yourself and make healthy choices for you and yours!
Let life surprise you. It’s not always bad, and you are meant to live it, not survive it.
Our present life is not a trial or rehearsal for a future life. This is it. We should live it fully.
Success rarely comes overnight; work hard and watch your dreams unfold.
Adaptability is the key to growth and happiness.
Our instincts often guide us towards the right path.
Choose the right battles.
Know when to let go.
Be kind to yourself.
Be like a butterfly.
Make that handsome kid happy.
Spread kindness and love.
The best use of life is to love.
Celebrate life every day whenever you can; living in itself is a gift worth cherishing.
Treat yourself better because, in the end, you got you.
Goals - Values - Prayers.
Live your best life.
Build a closer relationship with God.
Life is mysterious.
Never be 100% sure of anyone.
Life is unfair.
Self-worth, Boundaries, Resilience and Growth.
No one is coming to save you.
Do the work.
Practicing gratitude is key.
Don’t be afraid of life.
Have balance in everything.
Do what you love.
Be close to Jehovah.
Be kind.
Be grateful.
Keep educating yourself.
Maintain humility along the way.
You don't always get what you want.
Do your best, and don't stress out about the future.
Be your authentic self.
Don't be scared to try out anything.
Invest in yourself, your relationships, and your money.
Nobody cares about you unless you are something anyone can benefit from.
No matter what, your fear will come the most during that time. That friend, that sibling, that parent, A time will come, and they will die. It's inevitable.
Always know your place in people's lives.
Life won't always be the same. In its seasons, learn to walk with faith and optimism and never let situations define you.
Bonus: Iminsi mibi ntikakubuze imbaraga zumutima
I received some beautiful poems to reflect on :
As I read the answers, I was reminded of Matthew McConaughey's words in Greenlights: “ I have a lot of proof that the world is conspiring to make me happy.”
To each and every one of you who responded to that Instagram call-out, I want to express my heartfelt thanks. ( Feel free to send more!)
I'm filled with immense gratitude for all those who took the time to share their hard-won lessons and insights. Your candid reflections and genuine desire to pass along your lived experiences have truly enriched this collection.
Thank you for your vulnerability in opening up about your struggles and triumphs. Thank you for your generosity in wanting to spare others from painfully learned lessons. Thank you for your faith that these shared truths might just help someone navigate their journey a little bit better.
I am deeply grateful for the invaluable wisdom you have shared. We are all both students and teachers on this journey, continually evolving and growing from those who have walked before us.
So, as I step into this new year with the guideposts you've provided, I'm emboldened to face whatever lies ahead—the challenges, the uncertainties, the moments of joy and sorrow.
PS: To echo Matthew McConaughey's motto, “Keep living".
I hope to learn even more from you next year!
See you then!
Thank you for sharing these!