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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Dear twenty-one-year-old self...

Dear twenty-one-year-old self...

Published Sep 22, 2023 04:07 pm

IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

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Dear twenty-one-year-old self,

You are legal now. In every corner of the world. This definitely gives you some notion of extra freedom and power. But, if there is anything I can tell you, it is that as you get older, you (should) learn and realize more about the world around you. Graceful aging is humbling in that your greatest hubris in life at this point in time is thinking that you know everything. At times you may feel invincible, and that is natural, but do remember to use that self-confidence towards growth and progress, rather than empowering your ego. There is most definitely more wisdom in humility than you know at this point – always remember that.


Suffice to say, you have gone through more than perhaps the average twenty-one-year-old in terms of dealing with familial conflict, grief, betrayal and hurt. On the converse though, you have been more blessed as well than many your age out there. In a year, you will graduate from your dream Ivy League, and the world out there awaits you – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Embrace this stage in your life because it will no longer come back. You are at that age where it is extremely forgivable still to try, to fail, and to make silly mistakes. Take risks, but calculated ones. They are character forming, for as long as they are not risks that could indefinitely change the course of your life forever. Empower those around you, and be generous with your smile – in a world that can be many things, always strive to be kind.


This might be a far fetched idea at the moment, but at the brink of your 30s, you will live through a pandemic. Your world, and the rest of the world around you will stop. Simultaneously. And then, the rest of the world will begin to pick-up and phase out at different stages. It will be the ultimate test of strength, of faith, of character, and of compassion. But if there is anything that will prepare you it is resilience and flexibility. Two ideas which may seem very vague and basic to you at the moment, but which will make you stand strong and bend over as necessary when need be. You will have plans, and you must learn to accept that these always do not happen as you intend them to. And that is okay, because you are learning to surrender to your faith, and to God. Your faith will be tested multiple times, and in a multitude of ways. But always remember, that it is the only thing you have to return to when the world seems most uncertain.


I could go on, and on, and on… But these stand out the most to me at this point. Perhaps they have been the most crucial, or maybe because they made the most impact in life thus far. I will leave you with this for now – go in the direction of your dreams. Follow your heart, but be rational. And always remember to pray everyday.
Love,


Your thirty-three-year-old self

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