32 Things I Have Learnt

For my 32th birthday, 32 things I have learnt :)

1. Listen to your intuition, especially when it tells you to go get a second opinion.


2. Just because you see someone everyday at work, doesn't mean you know a damn thing about them.


3. If you find yourself surrounded by mean-spirited people, walk away before they change you -- even if this means you have to eat lunch alone.


4. People who are cruel to animals tend to be unkind to human beings too. Stay away from them.


5. It's okay to miss yoga practice/meditation once a while. It doesn't make you a bad person. Just make sure you show up the next day. And the day after that. You have your whole life to practice.


6. Being able to do advance yoga poses doesn't make you a better person. It's your state of mind during the practice that really counts.


7. People who are unhappy with their weight (and themselves) tend to think you're fat too.


8. Yoga happens off the mat. It's everyday life.


9. Pain is one of life's best teachers. Pay attention to where you're hurting.


10. Life is too short for long, boring books. So it's okay to die without finishing Moby Dick.


11. The best friends I have are the ones who cut me down to size when I take myself too seriously.


12. Always ask yourself: What kind of a person do I want to be? Am I making the kind of decision that support this? It's a good way to keep yourself grounded.


13. Everyone has something to teach you. Even the people you hate and don't respect. Especially the people you hate and don't respect.


14. Don't lend money you are not prepared to give away.


15. Sometimes you have to walk away from old friends to be the person you need to be.


16. Relationships require effort. A great deal of it.


17. Being vegetarian doesn't mean you have to eat crap.


18. I am happier when I allow myself to be imperfect -- because then my weaknesses don't bother me as much.


19. The most significant changes in life are subtle and requires continuous effort.


20. You will be wrong sometimes.


21. Discipline is knowing what is important to you, and working towards that.


22. Life is not a contact sport.


23. There is a difference between dignity and pride.


24. No matter how much you love someone, you can't live their lives for them.


25. Big boobs are overrated. They get in the way for a lot of things. And they hurt when you run without a bra.


26. Laughter gets you through a lot of meanness in life.


27. Not everything is an affront.Not every insult/challenge needs to be answered.


28. A truly humble person cannot be humiliated. It's our pride that shames us.


29. True compassionate listening is a very powerful thing.


30. You can't stop other people from behave like assholes -- but you are totally responsible for yourself behaving like an asshole. So -- STOP.


31. Forgiveness is possible, though forgiving yourself can be one of the hardest thing in the world.


32. Not everything is about me. In spite of my best effort. :)