As every minute of this day passes, I’ve come to realize that I’m officially a quarter of a century old. Thanks for the lovely reminders.
Grateful is a word I want to focus on today. A word that might not be used as often in the world we live in right now, but one that absolutely should be part of our vocabulary more often.Â
Grateful for our friends, our family, and most importantly, who we’ve become and who we will become. The people I’m surrounded by have made me realize how lucky I am, not only to have constant pressure to succeed, but also to have reminders that I should never give up on my goals.
“Stop undervaluing your work, you’re killing it bro.”, “You have so much potential. With a plan, you’re on your way.”, "Honestly, you inspire me brother. Keep it up.”, “You’re a national treasure. Great camera work bro." Thank you for being there, rain or shine. You will all be valued in my future.
This is also important: be grateful for the little things. You would be shocked to see how big they become over time.
As much as we can all reminisce about, or even regret, our past, we have to realize that it does not define who we are today.
Memories are tremendously important and should be reflected on often, but the present deserves just as much attention. The present is everything (like that Kung Fu Panda guy says).
When we use the present to do what we say we will do, we give ourselves the ability to prioritize better, build a brand, stay healthy, adopt new activities, and open ourselves up to opportunity. That’s exactly why I value connections so much.
“Immediate action compounds into giant wins over the course of a year.” That statement is powerful. When we combine it with gratitude, we allow ourselves to become who we want to be without losing ourselves in the process. Our emotion, personality, and character stay intact.
Being grateful is like a reality check that reminds you of your value and of the people who have helped you, while keeping you grounded in your objective.
At 25, that perspective feels like the real gift. Not the years, not the milestones, but the ability to recognize who’s beside you, where you are, and where you’re going.
