I have just turned a quarter of a century old.
And I decided that in order to stave off any imminent quarter-life crisis, it would be the perfect time to set a vision for myself.
Not in the sense of five- or ten-year plans, with a million dollars and a fully paid for apartment, but a set of enduring principles. Principles that will last for a lifetime, despite whatever circumstances I find myself in.
How I want to feel, how I want to be.
It’s the birthday wish I wordlessly utter in my heart before I blow out all seven candles on my favourite Oreo cheesecake.
‘A’ birthday wish.
From tomorrow onwards, I will be a new person, a new Joey. I will be:
Adventurously alive.
Each breath that I take when I wake up til when I fall asleep is a miracle. A miracle because I am but a breath, a vapour in the wind — and if I cease breathing, I will cease to live.
I will jump out of bed, seeing every day as an adventure to be lived. New things to see, new things to do, new things to experience. New challenges to face, which also means new victories to be had.
Even when I am going about the daily and weekly routines of work-home-church-rest, it is not dull at all.
For no two days are ever alike.
Authentic.
And fearlessly so.
Too many a times in the past have I been held back by fear. Fear of how people will condemn me in the courtroom of their minds. Fear of people around me whispering scathing comments behind my back, and to my face.
I will be fearlessly authentic. I will not shy away from being myself just because so-and-so will have something to say. ‘To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing and be nothing’ (Elbert Hubbard).
But I will do what I’m led to do, say what’s given to me to say and be who my Creator wants me to be.
Unshackled by the yoke of external approval or validation, I will be free.
Accepting of self.
The twin of authenticity. I will wholly accept myself — everything I like and everything I dislike. I will own it all.
Like, my highly sensitive and introverted nature. My 5'2" height. My need of many more hours of solitude than the average person. My love for sleeping a lot, the way a cat does.
As a result of this entire self-acceptance, I will fully show up in my life.
For I am enough. More than enough.
Abundant.
Now, right now, I will appreciate all that I have til my heart’s ripped open from gratitude.
Right now, I have a roof over my head and a room to myself draped in pink and decorated with preserved roses in glass dome jars. I have a laptop, which I am using right now, and my phone and iPad close beside. I have books, lots of books to satiate the inner bookworm.
Right now, my stomach is full from the most delicious homecooked food my mother lovingly prepared. And I just got to kiss her goodnight.
What more can I desire?
I will rewrite the flawed equation that abundance = money. I seek not money (what is money anyway?) but wealth. True wealth. In a material, relational and spiritual sense.
I will be full of bliss in the present moment, asking “What more can I desire?” But then, more is given. And the heart already filled to the brim with joy and gratitude overflows. My cup runs over. So do my songs of praise.
I will give, for it is more blessed to give than to receive.
I will give, for it is a continuous abundant flow of receiving and giving, receiving and giving.
Allowing.
I will be in the flow, letting the currents of Providence bring me all the way til I reach the heavenly shores of the New Jerusalem.
Flow will be present in all aspects of my life. The hardest work, labour and exertion will not be a struggle because they are a source of joy to my being.
Even when my eyes tire from staring at the screen too much or I am out of breath from running, I know that all these actions are inspired — done to the glory of God.
I will not resist God’s Will or inveigh against my lot in life. Such struggle is pointless and wearisome, thus I will simply allow His Will to be fulfilled in His time.
Que será, será. Whatever will be, will be.
Abiding in God.
In God I live, breathe and have my being.
I will grow closer and closer to Him everyday, in this unbreakable covenant relationship of everlasting love. I will love Him with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind and all my strength.
I will be adventurously alive, authentic, accepting of self, abundant, allowing, abiding in God.
Always.
Photo from Unsplash
You are so young. Happy birthday!
A great exercise. I hope you can keep to this. In 10 years, look back on it and see how you've done. That last one is the most important one, so don't give up on it.
Thank you very much, my friend @blockurator! ((:
I will heed your advice and do a review a decade later! Honestly at that point in time, I want to look back and see how these principles have guided me all the way, by God's grace (:
@joeylim
Many congratulations on this milestone and happy birthday!
What a great way to be looking forward to then next quarter century. I trust that when you reach your half century you will be able to look back - and forward - happy that you set yourself on a fabulous path.
All the best
Fiona
Thank you dear Fiona for the birthday wishes!! Yes, I really want to do that when I'm 50 ((: ❤️❤️
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This is truly beautiful @joeylim! Happy birthday to you :) Wonderful words to live by and all so true. We are certainly blessed in our lives, I pray for an exciting future filled with smiles and love! Blessings to you my friend
Thank you @birdsinparadise for your prayers! ((: Have a blessed week/year ahead too!! (:
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This is a beautiful post, @joeylim. It is a vow to live your life fully. You are young and have so much life ahead! This is the perfect time to make declarations about how you will go forward and how you want to ensure your life is full and meaningful.
Awww @jayna, I truly appreciate your kind words! (: it truly captured the essence of what I penned down - especially it being a vow. <3
A good 6A pack you got. Good to remember and live that way. Good things shall come when you are yourself.
Thank you! (: Indeed, I must remind myself everyday as I am prone to forget.
Happy Birthday @joeylim! I think you have the perfect formula for your life. 🙏
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Thank you @wonderwop for the birthday blessing!! ((:
Much appreciated @qurator!! (:
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Wonderful "A" list to fulfill!
Definitely a tribute and declaration of who you are!
Thanks!! Sending hugs your way @goldendawne ((: ❤️
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Really beautiful words! We have so much, if only we would stop for a moment to appreciate and give thanks.
Awww thank you @owasco!! (: Indeed. Let's celebrate more of what we have. 💕
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Thank you @theluvbug for spreading love!! <3
Congrats on the quarter wow that’s been ages for me 👆 and the new you is brilliantly blogged down, now comes the hard part sticking to your own rules that’s hard. Do be yo hard live live to the max and enjoy every second
Thanks @brittandjosie!! <3
Haha, yes you totally nailed it - now it's all about showing up as per this wish (or vow). It's hard, but it can be done!! (:
Happy birthday to you @joeylim and may all good things come your way.
Thank you @watersnake101 for the wish!! (:
Hello!
This post has been manually curated, resteemed
and gifted with some virtually delicious cake
from the @helpiecake curation team!
Much love to you from all of us at @helpie!
Keep up the great work!
This is beautiful; happy birthday!
Manually curated by @free-reign.
@helpie is a Community Witness.
Thanks so much @helpiecake and @free-reign! ((:
Happy birthday! Many happy returns of the day! 🎁
!giphy birthday cake
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giphy is supported by witness untersatz!
Thank you @iamraincrystal for the wishes and the pat on the shoulder!! <3
Happy birthday, a wonderful way to celebrate, wealth is in knowing oneself, not seeking what may not keep life in balance @joeylim.
May the years going forward be kind over the new quarter/chapter in life.
@tipu curate
Awww thank you @joanstewart! "Wealth is in knowing oneself" - wise words indeed! ((:
Happy Birthday! ... for yesterday, loving your mindset!
Thank you @baillieogrady!! (:
Lovely birthday cake. Congrats on reaching the quarter of a century.
!giphy happy birthday
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Giphy, that one didn’t look like a b’day greeting.
I’ll try again. !giphy birthday greetings!
giphy is supported by witness untersatz!
And @redheadpei, THIS IS SO APT. I LOVE CATS.
Hahaha thanks so much once again <3
Thank you @redheadpei for the birthday wish!! ((:
Congratulations!
Thanks! (:
Congratulations on being the member suggestion today @joeylim 💕
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Thank you! ((:
I did, thanks alot @thekittygirl!! <3
Happy Birthday @joeylim and your list are superb!I wish you well in your journey.
Thank you @roselifecoach!! I hope to live up to it in this coming year ((:
Good luck!
Happy birthday. I do hope this year will be fabulous.
Ren
@xcountytravelers thank you! ((: So far it has been great!! (:
@joeylim -happy birthday! You are an amazing person to have come to all those important conclusions at the VERY YOUNG AGE of 25! You will be go far in life and be much happier coming to these realizations already and not looking back in another 50 years and wishing you had done things differently.
@blueeyes8960 THANK YOU so much!! <3
I'm grateful to have realised them now and I really want to live a life of no regrets.
Belated Happy Birthday! May you continue to be blessed!
Thank you @sgbonus! ((: Same to you!!
A most happy birthday to you! And it seems like you will have many happy years ahead of you with the new Joey!
Those are great affirmations to make and very inspiring to me!
Thanks so much for sharing!
@porters thank you so much! ((:
Likewise your posts have been inspirational; I've gleaned alot from them ((:
So beautiful. And it is certainly double awesome and to have God alongside, who can be against you? No one. Stay blessed, gurl.
@iamjadeline SO so true indeed! God is for me ((:
Many hugs! <3
Verry good the cake
Life is just the beginning when you reached the first quarter of your lifetime, and believe it or not, many young'ns might not realise that though there's still quite a journey ahead, it is never too early to be wise and walk in the ways the LORD has directed.
And you have chosen a good path to start.
May you have many more adventures ahead, and by the time you reach half a mark, your stamina in life is consistent and vibrant.
Best wishes
Daily Bread Food Bank
Happy birthday 🎁
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Haha... you are a little kiddy! Joking, I'm not that far ahead of you on the march to the grave! Some great things to keep in mind, you are wise beyond your years!