24 Lessons from a 24-Year-Old to the 22-Year-Old

#issue on 28 August 2024

Hello friends!

If anyone reads these lessons and takes them seriously, he will become a pillar in life, a stronghold without despair or malice. He will be an unfearful, believing man, with strong faith in himself and in the works of his hands. If he follows what is written, he will have proven the faith. For these lessons are the pillars of life, a word to the younger man who, in his youth, wonders about himself, having not been taught the things pertaining to this life and the life to come.

My greatest wish for you, my friend, is that you find these lessons both useful and applicable to your life. In the same faith that I am writing these lessons, I hope you will receive them too. I do not wish that every man finds these words good for his life, but let the wise receive the good words and live to see another good day. For as the sun rises from the east to shine upon the darkness of the world, so will the wise rise to light the world in their reproach and way of living. And my friends, I leave you with these 24 lessons in this letter.

1. God First (Matthew 6:33)

My friend, life will not only question who you are, but it will push you to the limit, and sometimes you will have to answer this question for yourself: What is life about? If I am a good friend to you, I will leave you with a good answer that will stand the test of time: life is about the Kingdom of God. A creator who, in the beginning of the earth (the world we live in), created everything in His glory and might, and for His pleasure. In Genesis 2:27 - “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” In this part, God first created man as a spirit in His own image. That’s why humankind has been able to do mighty things—because they were created in His image (they are creators). We can see how we are now even able to create bots (like ChatGPT) in our own likeness. It’s because we have been made gods. I mean, we are gods (Psalms 82:6 - “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High”).

Then we see Adam being created as the first human, reflecting the image that had been created (Genesis 2:7-8 - “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”).

So, this takes us to what we should understand first: man was placed in a kingdom, and that’s where he ought to live. That’s why the Master teacher said in Matthew 6:33 - “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Showing us what’s first important and what’s not, what’s the main thing and what’s not, what we should focus on and what we should not.

2. Be You

Be happy, be brave, be strong. Isn’t it easy to get lost in the busyness of life? With the millions of content being created online to directly or indirectly inspire you to be someone else, and with millions of products being advertised—ads saying, “Buy this, and you will be the best.” The iPhone 16 is coming out soon, and don’t we all feel that after we buy it, we will be better? I mean, isn’t it easy to get lost in all this noise?

We have all heard it, “Be yourself.” What it doesn’t mean is that you have to be some external someone outside of yourself. It means calling out the best version inside you. It’s a call to be the bravest, most fearless you that already exists. Not someone outside or a way to seek validation and likes by presenting the most trending style.

3. Life is a Mystery

I promised myself so many things I haven’t done. I have never seen a day like another. Yes, every day is a new day with all its mysteries, and it will present them to you. So, it’s better to be ready because you have a lot of mystery boxes you will open. Some you will like, some you will not.

Welcome to life.

4. Show Me Your Friends, I’ll Show You Your Future

As the wisest man who ever lived said in Proverbs 13:20 - “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” There is no doubt that your current circle today will determine who you are tomorrow. As I wrote in one of the newsletters, it’s not like you will have to leave all your negative relatives and broke friends behind. But I believe there is a much wiser way of doing it: the 80/20 rule. You can spend 80% of your time with the people who help you grow (believe more, be more faithful, hardworking, think better) and spend less time with the other group.

When it comes to these issues, a lot of people become emotional. Yes, we ought to because these are the people we love and care about. Though there is one reminder that I usually tell myself, “There are no easy decisions at the top.” If you are a leader or aspire to be one, it will always involve hard decisions, and leaving your friends and family behind, like how Abraham did when he was called to the divine, will surely be part of the journey.

5. Journey Before Destination

My friend, imagine we are sitting, just the two of us, and you ask me one thing that you should keep in the back of your mind as you embark on your journey to the better you. Imagine it’s just a quiet room, just the two of us sitting across the table, hands on the table, and eye to eye. I promise you, my friend, and believe me on this: these are the words that will come out of my mouth.

“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.” - Brandon Sanderson

6. You Are Different, So Accept That

I’m tall, I’m short.

I’m fast, I’m slow.

I’m good, I’m bad.

I’m smart, I’m not.

I’m good with numbers, I’m not.

I’m good-looking, I’m not.

One thing you need to do if you want to feel better than you do, if you want to be more than just okay with yourself, but to move to being confident with yourself, I have to tell you this with love—with all love I write to you, my friend:

You should learn to settle with your own differences.

7. Take an Adventure

Yes, life is an adventure. What else can be better than that? It’s full of mysteries; they will either make you or break you. Some people will never get to see the beauty of life. I mean, they are too cautious (afraid). They stand at the seashore, just staring around. I mean, you are more than that; just take the boat and sail. But here’s what they will say, believe me on this one, I have heard it a couple of times:

What if this happens?

And this happens?

And this happens?

Imagine the kind of mess we will be in.

They have a timid approach to life; they will never get to see the other side. Be brave, be courageous, and take on the sail. Of course, things will break; we will mend them. We will cry, we will laugh, we will fail, we will succeed. That’s just life. It’s just a land of opportunities and difficulties.

It takes courage to do it like this.

8. There is No Guarantee You Will Live Forever

It doesn’t matter when you die or how you die; what only matters are two things:

1. Where you go when you die

2. How you live your life before you die

It’s fascinating how we, as humans, live as if we have eternal life. We care so much about what other people think of us and how much time we waste. We live as if we will be remembered forever when we die, but according to research, people generally remember you for only a short time after you pass away. While the exact number of days can vary, some suggest that people move on within a few weeks to a month.

When you die, you will go to either hell or heaven. Why? Jesus, the master teacher, said the road to heaven is narrow, meaning by default, you are on the road to hell unless you receive salvation and live to perfect your salvation.

As John said in Revelation 21:1-2, "The first heaven and the first earth had passed away," showing how this earth is only a temporary place of preparation for the next home. What matters is not how you die or when you die, but the question is: Are you going to see the new city, the new Jerusalem?

9. Do It Now, Later Is Never

Believing in the now and that today is the day—why would you think that tomorrow you will be able to do what you cannot do today? What justification holds that procrastinating thought? Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, and today is the present. The only time you have control over is the present, and it is now.

Losing precious moments with friends, failing to dwell in the now, your mind wandering in the regrets of the past and the imagination of tomorrow—the time lost is never to be redeemed. Once it's gone, it’s gone like the wind. Remind yourself to be here.

10. Do Not Judge Others

One ingredient of unhappiness is judging others. The satisfaction of the ego that points out the weaknesses of others to justify our own ignorance and incompetence is harmful. It is not that we judge with compassion; we judge with pride and envy. Instead of feeling for our fellow human, we wish they were gone.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). Sooner or later, the judgment is upon us, and we are judged by the same measure we used. Feeling lonely, with no one feeling for us, is the result of our own judgments. When you stop judging and express compassion, you live a joyful and fulfilled life.

11. Be Content; Life Has More to Offer

Life has more to offer than you can contain. There is no reason to think with a lack mindset or to be selfish. The idea of a finite pie causes ignorance and an inability to recognize the abundance that exists in the world. The finite pie theory suggests that the world is made up of limited resources that we all must rush to collect before the pie is gone.

At the same time, you don’t have to want more, because that’s only a calling to worldly living. The world has even more than you can contain, which is why it has been able to run for years and years without the resources depleting. You will never satisfy your human pride, but if you align your desires with the riches of the earth, there will always be more. Be content and happy with what you have while you pursue more. In so doing, remember what the master teacher said in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This is not a call to laziness, but rather a reminder to keep the main thing the main thing.

12. Knowledge Is Not Understanding; Knowledge Is Not Wisdom

In knowing more, there is a tendency to become lazy. My friend, let knowledge not fool you. Better than knowledge is applied knowledge. Yes, we live in the information age where people are paid based on what they know, but in other words, that means what you know and what you do with that knowledge.

13. Believe in Yourself More

I have heard of great stories; you have too. One thing that separates those who think they can from those who think they can’t is belief in one's ability to turn imagination into reality. This is not an easy task; this is one of the key things that one must have to become successful in life.

We hold self-limiting beliefs and struggle with self-doubt. Self-limiting beliefs are ideas and concepts we take as true, yet they are false. They hold us back from taking action, slowing our progress. Self-doubt is an element we all live with and fight every day. It is the internal voice that tells us we can’t. It always gives us reasons why something can’t be done, and our task is to push it to the corner, so we can take the necessary actions to make the progress we need.

14. You Are in the Right Environment, But Spend Your Time Wisely

What we have known as the ideal environment, the image we have of it, is a fantasy. Let me call this out because no one else will tell you this truth. When you are young, you think the ideal environment is a wonderland where positive and determined people live and work. We have been sold this idea, and we have come to believe that we must travel to or move to that place. I have never seen or heard of someone who has actually been there.

“In times of stability, leaders create history; in times of instability, history creates leaders.” – John Maxwell

Allow me to invite you to consider the times, not a place. What time are you in, and what are you going to make of it? Or what is time going to make of you? The place you are is where you should be, but what you need is a different mindset. This reminds me of the parable of the two villages.

15. Think Positive

Do we really understand what positive thinking is? Someone will ask, how will I think positively, when I am in such adversity? Thinking positive is not about having the right environment, avoiding crises or obstacles. It’s about having the “how” mindset and taking advantage of our unfair advantages, to internalise a belief of triumphing  above our problems, setbacks and  disadvantages.   

A positive mindset is a powerful tool that can be used to attract positivity and good things. You have to choose either to be a totally optimist or pessimist, when you look at the bottle you have options to  either see it as half full or half empty. What determines your perception is the nature of your mindset, not the status of the bottle.

Positive thinking is often mistakenly viewed as superficial—a feel-good mantra for those who wish to avoid the harsh realities of life. But true positive thinking is much deeper and more profound. It’s about cultivating an inner strength that allows you to confront challenges with grace and resilience. It’s not about denying difficulties but embracing them with the belief that they can be overcome. This mindset is not just a coping mechanism; it’s a transformative way of living that shapes your reality.

Thinking positive is not just a mindset; it’s a way of life.

16. Happiness is a State of Mind

I’m still a victim of this mindset, and as an entrepreneur and writer, one of the habits that I am guilty of is the common thought:

When X happens,

I will do Y,

Then Z will happen,

Then I will be happy.

And we all know this is a recipe for unhappiness. Relying on the positive outcomes or events of the day for your happiness sets you up for disappointment. Happiness shouldn’t be the outcome of happenings; it’s a state of mind. Having a joyful mind at all times is key.

The earlier you understand this, the happier you will be.

17. The Brave Ones Win

The world doesn’t care about your ideas or desires. Ideas are not worth anything; they are only worth something to those who take action. Many people have ideas to change themselves, the people around them, and hopefully the world, but fear keeps them from executing their goals. They are afraid they will lose their job, they are afraid of what their family members will say, and they are afraid they will fail in front of the whole world.

“The man who says ‘I can’ and the man who says ‘I cannot’ are both usually right.” – Henry Ford

If you are the brave one, you will be like David, stepping out to face the giant Philistine with just a sling and a lot of faith and belief to kill the giant. In modern times, this means choosing to start your own business, writing your book like me, or standing up for others. Because you have taken the risk, you lead the many and act in service to them. This is hard, but always remember, there are no easy decisions at the top.

This is how the brave ones win.

18. Winners Win and Losers Lose

Winning is a mindset, just as losing is a mindset. Unless you change your mindset, you will either be a winner or a loser. There is no middle ground; it’s either you are growing or dying. As the Bible says in Matthew 25:29: “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” The loose translation popularized today is "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”

This is a mindset check: do you think in abundance, or do you think in lack? Those who think in abundance will have more because more will be given to them; hence, these are winners. If you always think you have to receive more than you give (a lack mindset), then less will be given to you; hence, you are a loser (at least here on earth).

Winners think like winners. Choose your thoughts wisely.

19. Start from Where You Are

If there is a place, where you are is one.

If you have to do anything, just do it.

If you want to do something, place doesn’t matter.

If there is a place to start, where you are is the right place.

There is always a temptation to think that where you are is not the right place and that you need to start from a more convenient spot. This is a disease of the mind, and it will rob you of your time. Soon you will realize you are still where you are and that you have to start anyway.

Start from where you are; it’s the best place to start.

20. What People Think is a Variable

What people think will matter in the long term, but it won’t in the short term. As long as your actions align with your values, there is no need to let what you think people will think about you prevent you from making progress in life. We are humans; we live in communities, and obviously, what people say matters—but not in a negative way. If it becomes a blockage to achieving your goals, why would you consider it?

It’s fascinating that what people think about you is not a constant; it’s actually a variable. The world forgives your faults and imperfections. Why wouldn’t it? It’s made of the same species (humans) who are also imperfect and make mistakes, so we all will forget the things you got wrong and praise you for the good you have done. But obviously, not everyone will like you, so you have to expect a little bit—or more—hate.

What people think today will probably not matter tomorrow. In his book *7 Rules of Power*, Jeffrey Pfeffer talks about how people will forget how you got to power, no matter how you get there. Even if you get there by doing something wrong, I’m not calling you to do bad—no, God forbid. I’m

just being a pragmatic writer, showing you how the mind works so that you can be free from the effects of dogma. Most of what you worry about today will not matter in the long term.

21. Study the Bible

This is a good invitation for you, my friend. The Bible contains lessons of life and wisdom for every person. It says in Joshua 1:8 - “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

The Bible offers lessons on life, people, communication, and stories that can keep you wise and alive in both the flesh and the spirit. My friend, I invite you to this amazing kingdom.

22. Fear Not, and You Will Have

Many times, we find ourselves frightened about the outcome of the things we ought to do. Fear steals our peace within, makes the process unpleasant, and gives room for many mistakes. The end result is slavery to what you fear. We hear in the Word it says: 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” This means that fear weakens oneself, destroys the drive and zeal to do something, and leads to failure. The only thing people ought to fear is God. Apart from that, fear isn’t part of a believer’s portion.

23. Network Relentlessly

Having a small group of people who have the right mindset is key, but that small group can quickly turn into a tribe. No problem having a tribe—the only issue is that certain beliefs can go unchallenged for a long period of time. Then you remain stagnant, and growth slowly starts stalling. You might as well consider networking relentlessly to have foreign ideas challenge your beliefs.

Common beliefs can quickly turn into self-limiting beliefs. Most people have the wrong mindset about networking. Networking is key to finding people headed on the same path as you. The key to networking is generosity. And the first question to ask is, “What can I do for you?”

24. Life is Designed to Be Hard

If I leave you with any one lesson, my friend, it’s this: be strong and be still, for you are an overcomer.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Yes, all shall be put to shame and disgrace who vent their anger against you; those shall be as nothing and perish who offer resistance. You shall seek but not find those who strive against you; they shall be as nothing at all who do battle with you. For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you." - Isaiah 41:10-13

In this life, you will face challenges, but you will overcome. Be strong and courageous. Life is tough, but so are you.

Happy 24th birthday to me🎉.

If you missed the first issue and second issue of the Wednesday snippets.

We are on issue #3 on the series - Mediocrity is the silent killer:

1. Issue #1.

2. Issue #2

3. Issue #3

• Your mindest is the bridge, issue #2

To achieve all the dreams, we need to wake up with the right mindset every day and maintain the best mindset during the week. The right mindset can make a big difference in a week and consequently in a year.

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Peace ✌️