Tanjoubi omedetou! Joyeux anniversaire! Happy Birthday! To my amazing sister

As we’ve grown, we have gotten closer and we understand one another much better now than in times past. I am proud to call myself your elder sister. I have witnessed your bloom and I wish that you continue to flourish and brighten the lives that you touch. May you weather every storm that is blown your way and never allow them to whither your sweet and beautiful petals.
25 Life Lessons I wish you to know…
1. Never judge your own life progress based on other people — Social media, a place where your friends, acquaintances or frenemies share personal successes and life milestones. It is acceptable to be happy for their successes but ignore it for the most part and focus on yourself. Be proud of your progress and stop making comparisons!
2. Stop looking to others for approval — A part of the human experience includes being self-conscious. Your best self will emerge once you recognise your beliefs and morals and stick by them. No one can make you happy but you!
3. Take care of your body — Revel in being 21, but remember to take care of yourself too. Create a balance!
4. All people hate something about themselves — You are perfect just the way you are. Appropriate responses to body-shamers and the so-called “ideal body types” include:
“You have to stand up and say, ‘there’s nothing wrong with me or my shape or who I am; you’re the one with the problem!’” ― Jennifer Lopez
OR
“If anybody even tries to whisper the word ‘diet,’ I’m like, ‘You can go fuck yourself.’” ― Jennifer Lawrence
5. Water is your best friend in the whole wide world.
6. Learn the art of presentation, conversation and basic negotiations — First impressions count. Never give a limp-wrist handshake, do not break eye contact during a toast, learn to remember people’s names and adjust your body language it matters. Moreover, routinely self-reflect; learn to ask for what you want. It is frightening but you have to do it. Finally, basic negotiation is more than a firm handshake; it encompasses listening, patience and homework.
7. Don’t quit your job after one setback
“If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” ― Joseph Addison
8. You’re allowed to be wrong, and when you are, make sure to say so — Swallowing your pride and owning up to your mistakes is liberating.
“No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.” ― Alexander Pope
9. Learn to manage and invest your money
10. Whatever money you’re able to save, spend it on experiences, not materialistic things.
11. Eat everything
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien
12. Learn to Cook — Somewhere in the future, you’d be entertaining friends, have children of your own or live alone. One thing is certain you’ll need food so put healthy food in your mouth. Learn the difference between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, how to prepare ingredients, how to season meat etc. even if it’s just a handful of dishes that you enjoy.
13. Understand that some days, its okay to not get out of bed — Every day doesn’t need to be full-on; A-game, all the time. It is doctor recommended that you take time to gather your thoughts, get over ailments ― be it mental or physical in nature or just catch up on your anime episodes, manga chapters or Netflix original shows.
14. Read more — Read as much as you can for leisure and pleasure or knowledge and self-improvement.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! ― When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
15. Making mistakes — forces you to take a deeper look at the person you are. A mistake is a lesson! You learn the type of person you are, what you want or may settle for and what you will or won’t accept.
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” ― George Bernard Shaw
16. Taking a risk will always be scary. Don’t hold back — Change is good, and being scared means you don’t have all the answers to the big questions. Never be ashamed about that. Go for it!
“Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” — Helen Keller
17. Every step is a step — All journeys start with that first step without that brave first move you’ll be stuck and stagnant forever.
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ― Chinese Proverb
18. Don’t settle for the answer you don’t understand — Remember that familiar Sesame Street statement,“Asking questions is a good way of finding things out.” This remains true. Ask any question that would assist you in understanding and calculating how best to make your next move, a better one.
19. Believe everything happens for a good reason — as we grow older we realise that we are Jon Snow trying to survive culture-shock and new situations ie. “You know nothing!” so the best way to deal with it is to view everything as having a grand mysterious purpose that may be revealed sooner or later.
20. Your parents are people, too — Repeat as needed until you understand they are your support system as well as people who feel, just like you and they go through life with your best interests at the forefront. Give them the chance to advise you on certain lessons they’ve learned that may apply to your circumstances.
21. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak, and cutting someone out doesn’t make you cold — On one side of the coin, forgiving someone means your strength was greater than your ego while on the other side; some people don’t deserve any effort from you.
22. Your best friend might hurt you — Everyone is going to hurt you. Some friendships come to an end, and that’s okay.
“People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.” — Unknown
23. Travel — As of now, more responsibilities and less time is a consistent state for you so travel during your off-time, see the world. These experiences will shape your character.
24. Listen to your heart more — If it’s giving you signs that something is or isn’t right, trust it.
“At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.” — Lao Tzu
25. Stop freaking out about not knowing EXACTLY what you want to do with your life yet. Twenty-one (21) is NOT the pinnacle of your adult life. You still have a lifetime ahead. The older you get the more you realise that no one has a clue what they’re doing.
Celebrate and be thankful for this life and the blessings that you have been given!

I love you!
References
Choudhary, Shubham. 2015. “What Things Or Skills Should Every 21 Year Old Know?”. Quora.Com. https://www.quora.com/What-things-or-skills-should-every-21-year-old-know.
Cullum, Erin. 2017. “What We Would Tell Our 21-Year-Old Selves If We Had The Chance”. POPSUGAR Smart Living. https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/Things-I-Wish-I-Knew-21-37289179.
Jun, Sng Ler. 2017. “10 Crucial Things You Ought To Know When You Turn 21 Years Old”. HYPE & STUFF. http://www.hypeandstuff.com/things-to-know-at-21-years-old/.
KBS World. 2017. Kim Sohyun & Son Junho — Libiamo, Libiamo Ne’ Lieti Calici. Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld7MzctZ2-Q.
