Old is gold: Janet Mbugua shares 33 lessons of her life

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]et me begin this post by thanking all of you immensely! In overwhelmed by the love and birthday wishes, from friends, family, fans. As I turn a year older I’m beginning to reflect more (if you’ve been following my posts you know what I mean!) and accepting of myself. It’s liberating and daunting at the same time! While I share this special day with my twin, for this post I’m sharing 33 thoughts and lessons on my mind on my 33rd year!

33 at 33

1. 1. 1. I’m 7 years from 40…wowzer! when did that happen!?
      2. I’m my own hero…anyone who is looking at me to be their hero, stop. Find that person in you.
      3. I’m out of damns to give…mostly.
      4. I’m really getting a good idea of who I am!
      5. I’m married to a caring, loving man…I’m a mum to a wonderful angel…I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world even though I genuinely don’t know what I’m doing half the time, but it’s so fulfilling!
      6. I’m learning to grow and deepen my Faith. I’ve crashed and burned and been jaded but ultimately returned to God because He has been my Day 1. But I’m a work in progress and I’m ok with that!
      7. I’m so turned off by people that are so unhappy they have to project that onto others. Don’t give into that negativity. You don’t owe anyone the satisfaction of them dragging you down to their level.
      8. Sometimes I love a good glass of wine. Just…a catch up, a vent session with my friends!
      9. …but my body is handling turn up sessions a lot worse now!
      10. I have a lot more faith that things will work out now. Maybe that’s experience, because things do tend to work out.
      11. People change when you’re going through transitions. Let me be specific here. When I got married and later had our son, I saw both really ugly and really beautiful sides of people. I was a little thrown off initially but Ive realized that’s largely the norm!
      12. I miss the days when people were real and upfront. When I find them, I stick to them. So thank you to those family members and friends who keep it all the way real!
      13. Mentorship has moved from being something you add to your CV to something that’s a necessity. I’m concerned about the number of young people who feel lost and exasperated.
      14. My passion for empowering the girl child has been rocky, but I’m undeterred and happy to be rolling out a program soon that should play a crucial role in uplifting the lives of many girls!
      15. If you want something, go for it. Ask. Ask again. Knock on doors. Tarmac. Whatever you do, don’t be entitled.
      16. I’m a good person, in that I don’t wish failure on people and I generally try to treat people well. But don’t mistake that for my being a doormat.
      17. The hardest thing I’m figuring out is how to be happy. But I’m learning more about that everyday…
      18. Love has to be intentional and two way. Period. Love is beautiful; its black coffee. It’s bitter sweet.
      19. Being raised by parents who taught me to value myself has been priceless.
      20. I’m more keen about my health now than ever before.
      21. I’m appalled my mum-shamers. It’s hard enough trying to do right by your child; having people criticize how someone chooses to parent, especially when they’re doing the best they can, is a sure sign of an insecure, mean spirited person. Check yourself!
      22. There are good men out there. Not perfect ones, good ones. Man shaming everyone isn’t necessary.
      23. I believe in so many cliches that I use to roll my eyes at: life is short, give as good as you get…values that essentially come back to guide you on how to live your life!
      24. Respect is everything. Respect for yourself, respect for others. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t stand up for yourself when someone is antagonizing to, but the element of respect is not to be underrated as is the case in many instances today.
      25. I’ve learnt the importance of staying in touch with friends and family. Getting in touch and just asking, ‘how are you?’. It makes such a huge difference because we’re generation flaky; we seem to undermine relationships, especially those from my past. I’m working very hard at this!
      26. Life is too short to be serious all the time. If you can’t laugh at yourself, call someone who will laugh at you.
      27. Work damn hard for everything and at everything. Earn your keep. Invest.
      28. My child has made me reconsider my life outlook on life completely. I once heard someone say giving birth to their child was like a rebirth for them too. I get it, and I love and treasure it.
      29. I’ve had to stop crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t jump puddles for me.
      30. I’m happier being unique than trying to be perfect.
      31. I’ve learnt not to be so concerned about what others think.
      32. I’m an introvert/ extrovert and that
          leaves me largely misunderstood…
      33. I’m ready to take on anything! I’m feeling pretty good

READ: Eight things that people must know about you