What 2016 Taught Me

2016 has been awesome. Lot of things happened in the past year, great experiences and wonderful memories. There are still some goals that are not yet done, dreams that are still dreams, but I know that I’m getting there. Each experience taught me some life lessons, and here is what I learned in my 2016 experience.

1. Live life passionately.
Do whatever makes you happy. Life is too short so enjoy every moment and every good things life can offer. Laugh a lot. Learn new things. Acquire new skills. Always chase adventures. Always celebrate life.

2. Goodbye is inevitable. 
As we grow older, we will meet a lot of people, will become part of our lives, and make an impact on how we see things. Some of them will become our friends and stay for a lifetime. Some will just pass by to teach us a lesson. Some will make us feel special. Some will stay, others will leave you behind. And that is the harsh truth, there are people who are meant to stay in our hearts but not in our lives.

3. The best time is NOW.
If you want to achieve something, if you want to acquire something, then do it now. It’s a waste of time to wait for the perfect moment to do something. Stop procrastinating. Take action for bigger things to happen.

4. Appreciate.
Always learn to appreciate even the little things. If you were given something like a bag, watch, shoes, dress, show appreciation by simply using it at least once. Someone’s heart can be filled with happiness if he/she knows for a fact that he/she is well appreciated.

5. Say ‘Thank you’ and ‘Please’ a lot. 
Make this one a habit. Saying thank you and please to others even if they are strangers. For me, thank you and please can really warm someone’s heart.

6. Smile.
Cliché as it may sound, but it is true that a smile is the best accessory that you can have, so wear it often. Smile to all the people you meet every day. Smile to stranger. Smile and the world will smile back at you.

7. Be a source of positive energy.
Always radiates good vibes. I know that it is not always rainbows and butterflies, we have our own struggles and problems to deal with, face it with a happy heart. Believe that you can make it through by staying enthusiastic and hopeful.

8. Say sorry.
Ego and pride will not do any good, so if you know that you hurt someone’s feelings, you made some mistakes, learn to say sorry.

9. It’s okay to fail.
We are risk-takers in our own little ways, we are trying and giving our best shot just to have what we want, however, sometimes life fails us. We already gave our all, but then it is not enough. We already put so much effort into it, but still, we end just a runner up. And that’s alright. There’s nothing wrong if we fail, at least we tried. There’s nothing wrong with being a second best, you’re still a winner.

10. Forgive.
Forgive those people who did wrong to us, who hurt us. People who knows how to forgive has a happy heart.

11. Learn to say NO.
There is one saying that I can recall completely, it goes like this, “Don’t say yes if you’re saying no to yourself.” If you really don’t want to do it, say no without any reason.

12. Always speak your mind.
If you want something to say, have the courage to voice it out. Let them hear you. Let them know what you feel.

13. Fight for what you believe in. 
Each one of us have our own beliefs, ideas and opinions. If you believe in something, then make a stand about it, even if it’s just you.

14. Seek respect not attention.
Respect and attention are two different things. Having someone’s attention is easy but having someone’s respect is kinda hard.

15. Don’t chase men.
As a woman, you have to love yourself. If the man you love, doesn’t love you, then so be it. Don’t be desperate to win him. You’re a woman, you’re special. Know your worth. Know the love that you deserve.

16. True love waits.
Do not rush. If you’re ready for the love that you deserve, He will give it to you in the right time and in the right circumstances.

17. Have a stronger faith.
Even if everything fall apart, do not lose your faith in Him. Believe that He will guide you in every aspect of life. Hope that everything your heart desires will be given to you in God’s perfect time.

18. It’s okay to cry.
When all else fail, it’s okay to cry your heart out. Scream if you want to. Let go those bottled up feelings.

19. Do not quit.
If you’re tired doing everything you could just to be in where you want to be, rest but don’t give up. Always remember, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

20. Travel more.
The world is such a beautiful paradise, so go explore it. Experience extreme sports and activities. Know and familiarize every culture, discover the treasures that every country can offer. Indulge to nature.

21. Read more.
If you read 50 books last year, make it a hundred. Books can bring you into different dimensions. It can make you feel thousands of feelings.

22. Learn new things.
Know how to ride a bicycle. Know how to play an instrument. Know how to cook. Learning something new makes you better. Life is a continuous learning process so always try doing things out of your comfort zone.

23. Don’t compare.
We have our own individuality, different experiences, different struggles, so never compare. My story is different from yours and vice versa.

24. Never doubt yourself.
Believe in yourself that you can. You can conquer everything. You can make your dreams come true. You can make your goals happen.

25. Manage your time well.
Stop being workaholic. Stop being busy. Have quality time with your friends, family and of course have time for yourself. Treat your family, have drinks with your friends, reward yourself with a massage, spa or haircut. Managing your time well makes you alive.

26. Be sincere and true in everything you say.
If you love someone, say I love you and mean it. If you hurt someone, say sorry and mean it. Say thank you and mean it. True and sincere people doesn’t have any mask to wear. They don’t have time faking. Be genuine.

With all these 2016’s life lessons, I can strongly say, “2017, I’m ready for yah!”