25 lessons after 25 years ❤️

Reflecting on a quarter century of life on this beautiful Earth

Hi friends,

Today, I celebrate my 25th birthday, so I want to share 25 lessons and reflections based on my life of happy moments, stressful times, joyous memories, regrets, anxiety, reading/learning, and love.

1. Caretake this moment. The present is what makes our life. Despite everything going on around us, take good care of this precious moment, pay attention to the details of ordinary life.

2. A calm mind, fit body and house full of love is all you ask for.

3. Spend less time on what’s not essential, less energy on what’s not essential, less money on what’s not essential.

4. Don’t complain when it rains. Feel its wetness. Don’t complain when it’s hot out — feel the warmth.

5. Give yourself the gift of silence and time (or a nice walk outside) before letting the urge of yelling/arguing/judging gets the best of you.

6. Feel what you are feeling. It’s OK — there is peace in this moment, it can be found.

7. You can make an art out of anything. Basically, everything is interesting if you go deep enough.

8. Resist the urge of consumerism, or feeling the ‘need’ to have XYZ. Being here, being alive, waking up to this moment: That is the greatest gift.

9. A full life is not smooth. It’s about being, at times, in no-man’s land, experiencing moments as new and as something to be embraced.

10. The little things really are the big things.

11. Reflect on your miracle story, how magical it is that we are here breathing on Earth. All of it was a longshot, all of it is a miracle.

12. The best drug is an hour of exercise or good conversation with someone you love.

13. Approaching each situation as an experiment — ‘failure’ is merely research — lowers the stakes and makes life more fun.

14. The best gift we can give someone is our undivided attention — the gift of awareness, too. It costs no money.

15. All of the conditions for happiness already exist in the here and now, not in some distance future, success, fame, money or power. Happiness is an outcome, not a goal. It is the result of fulfillment.

16. Action decides mood. Just start, rather than wait for the ‘perfect’ time or inspiration.

17. I’m been hard on myself, sometimes too hard. Zoom out, be easy, let go. Don’t take yourself or what you do too seriously. We’re not getting out of this life alive.

18. Find joy in the little moments, even if they’re brief. Travel is good for the heart. Read as much as you can to nourish your mind and soul.

19. The climb is the fun part (there is no ‘arrival’).

20. Want purpose? We can start by being the best person we can be today, in this moment.

21. “Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” — Rumi

22. Never resist the urge to do a good act or kindness.

23. Setting low expectations can help mitigate disappointment. Most of our disappointments are rooted in expectations that aren’t fair to ourselves.

24. “The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places.” — Hemingway

25. This life is pretty short, so connect, love, laugh, forgive, and be gentle with yourself and those around you.

Parting quote, from Morrie Schwartz, Tuesdays with Morrie:

“As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still here. All the memories are still there. You live on—in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here.”

Another 25 years on Earth is no guarantee for me, but I remain grateful for this day — each day is a precious gift to be cared for and immersed in. Let that guide us forward to lead a rich life of love, kindness and meaning.

Wishing you all peace and good health.

Love,

Matthew

P.S. — I’m trying to take more time to enjoy where I am, right now, in this moment, with the people I love. Thus, a few photos with mom, dad and Ally. Much love. ❤️