I made it to 40. Wonder what my midlife crisis will be?

Before it hits, I’d like to share 40 lessons from 40 years of life.

Here they are in no particular order:

1. Things rarely go as planned.
   
   
2. But everything happens for a reason—at least, it’s within your power to give purpose to whatever happens.
   
   
3. Some things happen in their own time.
   
   
4. Shortcuts may get you there faster. But the long way is often more valuable.
   
   
5. If you don’t control it, don’t worry about it.
   
   
6. Don’t manage time, manage yourself.
   
   
7. You don’t control outcomes, you influence them by controlling yourself and your actions.
   
   
8. It’s up to you to manage your emotions. Your feelings, opinions, and triggers are your responsibility. No one else’s.
   
   
9. You can just do things. Like learn to play guitar, start your own business, write a book—whatever the fuck you want.
   
   
10. Fail quickly. Learn slowly.
    
    
11. Some things are learned the hard way.
    
    
12. Every decade offers its own form of self-confidence.
    
    
13. Experience is the best teacher and failure is the harshest but most powerful.
    
    
14. Don’t rush—life is fast enough.
    
    
15. Not everybody will like you.
    
    
16. Not everybody matters.
    
    
17. There are still good people in the world.
    
    
18. Faith plays a bigger role than you think.
    
    
19. Fate is real but it doesn’t define your future.
    
    
20. Losing builds character, strength, and resilience.
    
    
21. There’s a fine line between winning and ego.
    
    
22. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Get comfortable with change.
    
    
23. Have the courage to face fear—your goals are on the other side.
    
    
24. Normal is boring. Weird is interesting.
    
    
25. Addiction comes in many forms and is always dangerous.
    
    
26. Friends are family.
    
    
27. Neither will be around forever. So cherish the time you have together.
    
    
28. Trust your gut. But don’t trust it blindly.
    
    
29. Learn to reason and question your own beliefs.
    
    
30. Be willing to admit you’re wrong and adjust your thinking.
    
    
31. Grudges do more harm to yourself than others.
    
    
32. Be the first to offer the olive branch.
    
    
33. Be strict with yourself and compassionate with others.
    
    
34. Don’t push your agenda—what works for you may not work for them.
    
    
35. Happiness is a tourist. Seek fulfillment instead.
    
    
36. The process is the prize.
    
    
37. Don’t make decisions lightly. Every yes to something is a no to something else. And some doors close forever.
    
    
38. Average is accepted. In fact, it’s expected (that’s what best practices are). But no one remembers average.
    
    
39. It’s also okay to be average—the majority of us are.
    
    
40. Accept who you are, truly. Don’t deceive yourself by looking through rose-coloured glasses or talking to yourself with a honeyed tongue. 

Bonus: Life is a surprise and age is a gift.

You’re one in four trillion, literally. The fact you exist, as you are, is a miracle.

The fact you continue to live in a world full of peril… Well, that’s what it means to fight the odds.

You never know what tomorrow has in store. Be thankful for every breath and take nothing for granted.

Life’s a trip. Enjoy the ride.