What better way to help my niece and nephew celebrate turning 18 than with some sharing of knowledge? Better that than some e-rubbish, where even if I tried I’d buy the wrong thing.
So I handwrote the following and sent it to them.
- Knowing how to be sociable is an incredibly important skill, but so is knowing how to spend time alone.
- Trust your instincts. This is the best decision making tool you’ll ever have and the more you listen to your inner voice, the more attuned it will become.
- You have to work to get good, but you have to work your a*** off to get great.
- Keeping fit and eating healthily pays dividends beyond the physical – you can expect emotional, social and psychological benefits.
- Sometimes, even if you know precisely what to say, it’s more judicious to hold your tongue.
- Do what makes you come alive.
- Earning lots of money is great, but working on something you really believe it in is better. Combine the two? Bingo!
- Parents love their kids in a way that is deeper and broader than any other kind of love. Try to remember this the next time your mum or dad gets on your nerves.
- Experiencing pain, rather than avoiding it, means it’ll pass sooner.
- Travelling can change your life and even if it doesn’t, it will open your eyes. University is the same.
- Fix yourself first.
- If someone has an extreme reaction to something you say or do, it is far more likely to be reflective of something going on within them, than what you said/did.
- If you give people the benefit of the doubt, you will always be a likeable person. Conversely, if you are quick to judge, you will quickly put people offside.
- It is more important to learn how to agree to disagree than it is to win every argument.
- To be an effective communicator, spell out how you feel instead of making others guess. It is very hard to interpret another’s reason for being in a mood.
- Time speeds up as you get older.
- Don’t be afraid to challenge convention or authority.
- If you want to be happy, be grateful.
Do any of these resonate with you? What pearls of wisdom would you share with a younger relative? Let us know.
The happiest of milestone birthdays to the very lovely James and Sophie.
(And for those of you thinking I’m a bit of a mean aunty, I did send them some money too.)