27 Lessons for My 27th Birthday
The 23rd of September holds two important meanings for me. First, it was the day that I fully decided to confirm to the Christian proclivity in 2011 while in Mbale High School. It is a decision that felt right at that time and moment. Second reason is it’s the day my mum decided its gift herself and the world a second son. Time really moves fast when you have a million and one things that you feel compelled to achieve by a certain age. Some years back, I was always impatient with everything I did and always needed to see quick results but I am realizing as time ages, I am slowly adopting a tendency to let time takes its own time and there are things that cannot be rushed.
I am turning 27 today but I have always felt like an old soul. My mind is around 38 years and my desires in life are around 35. In this short, long time that I have been around, I have gathered some insights which I felt the need to share especially today. Here goes.
- Family is the cornerstone of everything
I have seen my family grow all my life and the bond we share has grown stronger over the years. The witty comments and sarcastic jokes are something I have grown to appreciate and look forward to as time goes by.
2. It’s okay to love some things by yourself
I realized very early on that some of the things I like doing are not mainstream favorites. An internal battle always ensued whenever I wanted to have a good time with my friends but now, I have learnt its fine to enjoy some things by yourself
3. We all have different paths
Back in high school and university, it seemed like the lot of us were destined for the same type of life and careers. A couple of years later, everyone took his path and whenever I meet people we studied with the conversations are always interesting on how we are pursuing completely different things.
4. Your dreams are valid. Put in the work
Every 2-3 years, I sit down and reflect on the goals I set and whether I have achieved them. I have to admit, some of them have seemed very insurmountable in the past but the universe always a finds a way to serve it on my platter when I least expect it. I attribute this to resolving to achieving a goal and chipping away at It in small manageable steps. Consistency is key
5. The motions never stop
It always seems once you solve the ‘big ‘challenge ahead of you, things will get tremendously easier. Well, I hate to disappoint but there will always be something else around the corner that needs to be handled. The trick is not in eliminating what needs to be done but prioritizing in terms of impact.
6. Mom and Dad; I am now older.
As a kid, I always questioned why my mum and dad made certain decisions regarding their kids. Now that I am older I realize two things; parenting is a full time ongoing job and no 2 kids are the same so you have to adapt to each based on their personality. Mum and Dad, I am proud of the work you did to raise us. Despite the challenges, we cant negate the work the put in.
7. Good friendships anchor your vision
Elisha, Tom, Joy, Marcos, Ian, Obaree. Its crazy how our paths crossed and how we became friends. A decade later, a lot has changed for us, we have grown older, more responsibilities but one thing remains; our friendship.
8. The importance of financial literacy is understated
There is quote that says ‘wealth consists in not having great possessions but few wants’.
Everyday I learn something new and I have my network and internet to thank for.
9. Self Confidence is a full-time job
I have met a couple of people in social circles and their first comment is how easy it is for me to be in crowd.
10 years ago, I was struggling quite a lot with how to be confident even in expressing myself. The trick? Do something every day that builds on this.
10. I love my books.
Its no lie. I will prioritize my books over anything else. Call it vanity. Something must kill a man.
11. Happiness is an internal job
Just like self-confidence, you got to find what makes you happy and stick to it. I have found myself on paths that proved to be self-destructive in the past, but I always had a timely intervention. Find what makes you happy.
12. Existential questions come around time to time
I have had 3 AM thoughts where I question if life is all it seems to be or there is more. And they happen frequently. I have made some key life decisions in the wee hours of the morning which have worked out positively or negatively.
13. It’s okay to rewatch Pirates of the Caribbean 100 times over.
Some of my friends have been like why rewatch a movie over and over again? Well, I have to say, the first time I laid my eyes on Jack Sparrow in December 2003 in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, I was mesmerised by his acting. 19 years later, this relationship seems to be anything but getting stronger.
14. Running is therapeutic; should have started sooner.
I have never been a sports person. A short stint in basketball in high school was enough to tell me I am a better fan than sportsperson. However, I picked up running around March 2020 just when the pandemic was moving in and disrupting our lives.
2 years later, it’s the best thing that happened to me
15. Never downplay your achievements.
As an entrepreneur, you are always looking for the next kick without sitting to pause and reflect. Now, I celebrate every little achievement for I fully understand life is a series, a journey with an everchanging destination.
16. Rich or poor; it starts with a mindset
Best book I ever read? Rich Dad, Poor Dad. The next best book? Cashflow Quadrant. It all starts with a mindset.
17. Born in the ghetto doesn’t dictate your whole life.
I always had self-esteem issues growing up since I wasn’t proud of where I was born from and always used to find a way to evade the question in conversations.
Now that I am bit older, I am gradually realizing its only a small clique that prioritizes where you come from, and the majority focuses on what you can do.
18. Life is school
You learn, you fail, you learn again, you fail then one day you succeed. Most of us focus on the isolated achievement instead of everything that has led us there.
19. Entrepreneurship is a calling
I have been entrepreneurial my whole life. Its something I find very easy to do.
20. Music is the best thing that ever happened
When you feeling sad; music. When happy; music. My playlist has remained the same over the years since It takes me time to curate music but I love it. Its my escape in a solitary room.
21. The grass seems greener always on the other side
I have been a victim of this so many times but you get to the greener side and realize their is another picket fence with more lush grass.
22. You lose dear people; but life is a spin wheel
23. Each character you meet has some effect on your life
24. A strong support system gets half the work done
25. Starting a business is stressful; but also very fulfilling
I have run an agency for 5 years now. During the same time I have started a couple of ventures. The process is very hectic but also very rewarding.
26. Travel opens your mind
It does. Vusi, one of my all-time mentors likes saying that culture is a system of normalized averages, and this never made sense until I stepped out of the town I had spent most of my childhood in. If you can travel, do it. The possibilities of discovering new things to do are endless.
27. When the student is ready, love appears.
At 27, Cupid has shot his arrow at me a couple of times and when it was just settling in, he yanked it away with a gleeful smile on his face. But I learnt with matters pertaining love, you never seek it, it finds you when you least expect it.
