3 life lessons

First, I've learned your life is rarely decided by one or two big decisions. I've noticed that it's the small. Seemingly insignificant choices that determine who you are, who you will be, and where you are going. Everyone wants to have that big break, but if you have slacked in your daily self-discipline. Then it won't matter what opportunity presents itself. You won't be ready. The Navy SEALS have a saying, "You don't rise to the occasion. You fall back on your training." I agree. Anytime I've succeeded in sports, school, or my job. It's because I studied, worked-out, got educated or worked overtime. Whenever I failed it was rarely because I was in over my head, but usually because I was either arrogant, reckless or lazy.

Second, this may sound like a contradiction to my first point, but life rarely rewards those who deserve it. Even if you work hard, get educated, and do the right thing. You still might not get what you are after. There have been many jobs that I should have gotten but was passed over because someone was friends with the boss. I always tried to be respectful to women growing up, but still got dumped or turned down for the "bad boy." You get the point.

Yet despite what I said. I would still say that diligence and good character are the keys to success. Because if you are in pursuit of a meaningful fulfilling life. Then chasing after a job that's an "all boys club" or a crush that would rather be with someone else. Is not something that you want to be apart of. Like Ernest Hemmingway said in one of my favourite novels the Old man and the Sea, "I'd rather be accurate than lucky. That way when luck comes. I'll be ready."

Third, I've learned the hard way to never take real friendships for granted. When I was in high school or post-secondary or travelling. I always assumed that there would always be amazing people in my life. If that were true, amazing people would simply be normal people. If you are lucky enough to find people that you have a real connection. Don't take them for granted. When you get older, they become harder to find and harder to connect with if you do find them.