36 for 36 - A Birthday Post

Last March 22, I turned 36. That's four years away from being 40. When I was a kid, I only envisioned myself up to age 25. 11 years later, I'm this, a middle-aged person. That is if I live up to age 72. I must say that physically, the signs of the times are creeping in. There are now more visible lines. Dark circles around the eyes don't get lighter easily, even if you have 8 hours of sleep. Veins in my legs and arms appear to be more noticeable. Pounds are more difficult to shed. But I'm not complaining. I'm just being truthful. I think 36 years have made me realize that accepting things I cannot change leads to a happier sense of being, and a positive view of one's existence. Well, there are at least 36 things I've learned... about life... about myself... throughout my 36-year journey. Let me share them with you.

1. Accepting things I cannot change leads to a happier sense of being, and a positive view of one's existence.
2. Pursuing a passion has its fulfillment and rewards.
3. I can do anything that I set my heart into, but I need to try really, really hard.
4. The stream of creativity will never run dry, I just need to find where the water springs.
5. Kindness begets kindness, most of the time.
6. Work and happiness can coexist.
7. There's no price for sincerity, integrity and authenticity.
8. One of the best things that can happen to you is to have a wonderful working environment, that includes a good boss and fun-to-be-with workmates. I spent half of my waking hours in the office, it should be worth it.
9. You cannot bring back the good times, but you can always remember them with fondness, so go ahead, take pictures.
10. My boss told me this, "Don't panic over work, relax, they're not taking away your children."
11. It's OK to commit mistakes. You can laugh at them and learn from them.
12. Spend as much time with your family as you can.  Your kids might have grown and you don't even know it.
13. Time is the greatest equalizer.  All of us just have 24 hours in a day, we should spend them wisely.
14. Don't keep tabs. Ang naibigay mo na, naibigay mo na.  Hayaan mo na.
15. Don't be too hard on yourself. There's always a next time.
16. Find your element and match this with your mission in life. Dapat naman may rason kung bakit tayo nabuhay sa mundong ibabaw.
17. Believe in the universal law of giving and receiving.  Kapag may ibinigay, may matatanggap.
18. Bless others with your gifts. Sayang naman kung hindi gagamitin at pakikinabangan.
19. There's no age limit in educating one's self.
20. If something needs to be done and you know you can do it, do it. Don't wait for other people to do it for you.

21. Family should be first.
22. Love your parents.  Your kids would take after you.
23. Show your love, especially to those who matter.
24. Make good friends along the way. Never burn your bridges. You might need them someday.
25. Negativity is a complete waste of time. Malungkot maging nega.
25. Share your knowledge. Marami ang makikinabang diyan.
26. Play. Have fun. We live for these moments.
27. Don't compromise your values. Hindi nagiging tama ang mali kahit ginagawa ng nakararami.
28. Piliin mo ang Pilipinas.  Love your country. Kung hindi tayo, sino?  The Philippines is a beautiful country and there are a lot of good Filipinos.
29. It's always between you and your God.
30. Take care of yourself. 'Wag mo itong iasa sa ibang tao.  Busy rin silang gawin ito sa sarili nila.
31. Travel. With someone. Alone. You'll be amazed where your feet can lead you.
32. Have a grateful heart.  Ang lahat ng bagay na meron tayo ay bigay at hiram.
33. Pray. It will help you get through the day.
34. Know when to speak your mind and hold your tongue. May mga bagay na dapat sabihin. At may mga bagay na hindi na kailangang marining.
35. Throw your trash away. Literally and figuratively.  Hindi mo kailangan ng basura sa buhay.
36. Leave a legacy. Nandito ka na rin lang, galingan mo na.  Mag-iwan ka ng mga magandang alaala.

Happy birthday to me. Salamat po sa lahat ng nakaalala.  At sa mga nakalimot, magbi-birthday din kayo. :-) Group hug! :-)