Sim O.N.E.

36 Trips Around the Sun – What I’ve Unlearned So Far

Today, I’m acknowledging my 36th lap around the sun by sharing some nuggets about what I've unlearned along the way.

Cleaning up all the bullshit installed into your brain by whatever church/aunt/teacher/news channel was around you requires significant efforts.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

  1. You are shaped by what you remove more than by what you add.
  2. You’re more than what you make. You’re not your job.
  3. You can’t worry about everything. Get one thing right, then the next one right, then the next one, and so on.
  4. The chances you are not taking now will become the regrets of what you didn't accomplish tomorrow.
  5. What you do in your spare time reveals who you want to become.
  6. Fear can’t keep you safe, but it can reveal what you need to work on.
  7. There are enough “us” vs. “them” people. Be a bridge person.
  8. Age is not an accurate meter of wisdom.
  9. To feel respected and listened to, respect and listen to.
  10. Not being able to rejoice in others’ success is a clear indication that, yes, you’re still a sucker.
  11. Experiences opposite to yours are still valid and worthy of your respect.
  12. Your view of an experience makes the experience.
  13. Seek feedback, not approval.
  14. You don’t need any authorization or certification to become great at something on your own.
  15. If you move 10'000 miles away from home to find yourself, you still need to go 20'000 miles deep inside to find it.
  16. Search inside, not outside.

Why only 16 nuggets, you ask?

  1. Not that wise.
  2. Up to the age of 20, I didn’t unlearn anything—I only accumulated.