More than things that I learned, I wanted to share things that I am still learning.

The world is bigger than you think

After going abroad, I just thought about how people halfway across the world are living totally different lifestyles and doing just fine. I think in America we always think that the world revolves around us. It doesn’t. The world is big, and we are small. It’s a humbling experience and helped me keep my perspective in the midst of pre-pandemics.

You don’t need to like something just because other people do

Just because the car next to you has their windshield wipers at a certain speed, does not mean you need to change yours. Everyone has their own timing, everyone will get to the destination that they need to with the tools they are given. I am always reminding myself that my life is my own and should be molded to fit the life of others around me. If I really don’t want something, I don’t need to do it and if I think something is really amazing, life is too short to not enjoy that joy. I am learning to be more confident in my own choices.

Read things that you actually want to read

After my reading challenge I just realized I don’t like adult science fiction. I am sure there are sci-fi nerds out there, but it’s not for me at this point in my life. Maybe my tastes will change, but I am again reminded that I shouldn’t pressure myself into doing things that I know I don’t like merely to satisfy those around me. Quite frankly, they don’t care (or they shouldn’t) and I can always find those around me who do genuinely find joy in the same things I do.

Crave stability not comfort

Comfort is overrated. Stability is an active process. You can be still and have stability and be the busiest you have ever been and still experience that feeling. I think stability is an evolution and something you can constantly crave. Comfort can be lazy, but stability is something to always work on. Work on stability in all aspects of our life because once things are inevitable to be unstable, you can remind yourself to work towards a stable life. A comfortable life can put more roadblocks in your way and hurt more when things are uncomfortable.

Knowledge is power

I know everyone makes fun of this cliche, but as I finished more books, listened to more podcasts, and took courses that challenged my ideas, I saw the world in a different way. I think humans are really interesting and it benefits myself to see how other interesting humans see the world that we are living in.

Diversity is not equity.

I am still learning this in terms of academia, the work force, the media that I consume. But more generally, the world I see is not the same world others see. I think I am learning what equity means in terms of social justice, but also wider themes like love and friendships too. I hope it is something that I take the time to learn more about and put my actions into words.

Creating boundaries does not make you a bad person

I hope we normalize creating boundaries, and it is something that I afford to other people in the future as well. Boundaries are smart. Those who violate those boundaries are dangerous people. In whatever capacity, I hope I grow to be a human that respects others’ boundaries as well as my own.

Ask questions….lots of them 

I think a downfall of my generation is that everyone pretends to know everything. For me, even with the plethora of knowledge of there I feel like I know less. I think shame comes as a result of not knowing someone that we think everyone else knows. When you just assume that one more person in the world might not know, asking questions is less daunting. I have been asking lots of professional development questions, financial management questions, and more questions about things that I don’t think I was ever taught. I think the smarter people in the world ask the most questions.

The world moves on even if you don’t and that’s okay. 

As the world closed down due to COVID, I was reminded that the Earth isn’t just going to stop because humans do. Similar to my first point, the world is much bigger than just me. The flowers are still going to bloom, the moon still going to rise, and snow come whether we like it or not. It’s selfish really to think just because we think our small personal lives is ruined that the whole world should be ruined too. Even if the world moves on, it’s okay. Get back up and keep going with them.

2020 was a hard year for everyone, but I think a much needed period of reflection and it came at a timely season in my own life. I hope to implement good habits during this time and refine my strengths for when we are COVID free.

Thank you for reading thus far. I hope I can be more consistent in documenting my life in the new year, forcing myself to be more creative, and most important do things that I love. Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy.

See you in 2021

JLee