In 2014 a movie called “Top Five” came out in movie theaters. A running theme of the movie was characters being asked to list their top five hip-hop artist of all time. Although I would love to list my top five hip-hop artist of all time (that’s another post), I would like to list the top five life lessons I have learned as I reflect over the past year.
- Control is overrated – In the past I have been someone who’s been considered a “control freak”, but as I have grown older life has taught me that I really don’t have control over much of anything…especially myself! Therefore, I have finally resigned as the CEO of my life and now submit control to someone who can handle it much better than me.
- Be selfish – To some extent, we are all selfish beings, and one thing we probably don’t need more of in the world is selfishness. However, after taking advice from a friend, I have chosen to be selfish in this season of my life; not in a self-centered, consuming way, bit in a sense of learning to take care of myself and making sure that I’m being poured into so that I can pour into others.
- Form a circle – In elementary school one of my favorite times was “circle time” when my friends and I would sit on the floor in a circle and enjoy some fun activity. Likewise, I have learned that I need to surround myself with a small circle of friends and I can enjoy and do life with; a safe place to laugh, cry, debate, and encourage each other.
- Jesus is my homeboy – A few years ago people wore a T-shirt with the phrase “Jesus is my homeboy”, which obviously offended some Christian people, but to a certain extent the phrase had relevance. In some regard I need my relationship with Jesus to be so closely knit that I can spend time with him as if he’s one of my homeboys. He should know me better than most, and I should be able to talk to him about anything as I do with one of my homeboys. That’s a true homeboy!
- Learn to say “Thank you” – This past year was one of the toughest years of my life, and many days I simply wanted to give up on life. For some reason I kept referring to a Bible verse (James 1:2-4) and gained some valuable insight about life. I learned that when I was able to face my toughest obstacle, work through it, and learn to say “thank you” to the obstacle for making me a stronger person, I had truly grown from that experience. So, now I learn to be thankful for opportunities to grow.
I’ve learned a lot of life lessons this past year, but these are my Top Five. I’m thankful to celebrate 37 years of life today, and I hope these lessons help you in whatever season of life you’re in.
What’s one of your Top Five life lessons?
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