Life Lessons in 2022

• Do not fear failure. Failure is not final. How we respond to failure will be one of life’s greatest point/s in life’s learning curves. The greatest failure is not trying.

• Fear (False Expectations Appearing Real). Majority of our fears don’t happen in real life. In other words, most times our fears are just all in the mind. Take that bold and courageous step. Do not allow fear to control your mind. Let your mind control your fear. Watch and see conquer milestones when you take a leap of faith.

• Be independent but dependent on the Lord. Independence develops your ability to care for yourself and help other people with the knowledge and abilities you develop in and through the process. It sets you up for further progress. Made me more mature and responsible in the areas of decision-making, financial responsibility, bills management, etc... It isn’t something that’s easily achieved. It takes hard work, time, money and most importantly, wisdom from God. 

• There is no easy business. The principle of “delayed gratification” never gets old and will bear fruit in its time. Do the dirty work in business (I’m not talking about illegal, immoral or unethical acts when I use the word dirty.) It can also mean doing the most “menial” things like cleaning, mopping your store full of dirt and dust, doing shipments by yourself with heavy shipments, going out of your way to meet a customer’s demand, etc…

• See problems in business as opportunities. Opportunities to learn, to grow, to expand, to be better at what you do. (credits to my mentor. Every time I encounter a problem, this mindset really helps me not to be overly stressed Lol!)

• Location is everything. Be willing to invest more for the best location.

• "How can you worship God when you have a victim mindset?". Forgiveness is a choice and it sets you free.

• Break spiritual strongholds, do not partner with them. Do not allow worldly influences of culture to write messages in our hearts. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 

• We never know what’s going on behind open and closed doors or what’s happening on the inside. Don’t allow your experience biases to create a final judgment. Anything can happen. Life is full of surprises, twists and turns.

• Do not avoid difficult conversations. Welcome them. They might be exactly what you need. Whether at work or relationships, clarity helps you know your direction and direction helps you be congruent to your purpose.

• Don’t overthink. Overthinking leads to confusion and stress. “It is what it is” allows you to focus on the present and move forward from there.

• A closed door is not “closed” but an open door to what God has for you. What you think is rejection is actually His redirection for your life. Get excited! 

• Take things one day at a time. We don’t need to know all the details of every single thing. But we need to obey step by step. Step by step obedience allows me to be more dependent on God in every step.

• Stretch that mind. A mind stretched will be more open to new possibilities and will never be the same.

• Growth is never comfortable but always necessary. Discomfort is a catalyst for growth. What a scary thought it is to be in the same place (comfort zone) by choice for years. Give yourself grace and breathe through it.

• I learned to do the things I never thought I could WHILE scaling up my own business (i.e. managing a household, doing house chores, laundry, doing grocery, cleaning). When I learned to do what I used to give attention lightly, I realized that God has a way of making us grow in areas we overlook at so we can mature. God prepares us to increase us for greater capacity (for the next season? 🤣). 

• Anxiety lies. The anxious mind will have you believing things about yourself, your circumstances, and your future that are just not true. 

• The mind is the battleground where our enemy attacks us most. The greatest weapon for lies is God’s TRUTH. Always battle lies with God’s Word. No greater weapon than the Word of Truth.

• I’ve learned to love my Jerusalem and people better when I have accepted them and the situation fully. We cannot change people but we can choose to love them. And when we learn to love unconditionally, before God changes them, He changes us first and this is the greatest blessing.

• Ask for the fruit of the Spirit from the Lord every year. So late this year I asked for the fruit of joy and true enough I have learned to rejoice, pray and give thanks in every situation whether good or bad. (thanks again to my mentor)

• Humility goes a long way. In resolving conflict, do not just keep on pointing out a person's mistake. Learn to ask forgiveness with the intent of listening to understand not to preach which may invalidate a person’s feelings. When you learn to acknowledge and empathize with one’s vulnerability, you will be amazed how humility can deepen and strengthen friendship whether at work or a personal relationship. Doing the opposite won't help. 

• Communicate. Do not shy away from speaking your hurts. Don't pile them up. Do not keep “adjusting” for peace without communicating. Do not be a ticking time bomb waiting for buttons to be pushed until you explode. This is emotionally unhealthy, destructive and unwise. 

• Vulnerability is a sign of HUMILITY. When we admit that we are hurt, it’s actually saying “I am human with feelings and I’m willing to open up so I can do the next right thing."

• We all have childhood wounds. How we responded to hurt, pain and trauma in the past could also be the same today. Learn to unlearn imperfect modeling. Learn from Jesus. Look to Him.

• Developing self-awareness is just so important. It affects every area of our lives. When we are self-aware, we are able to understand our emotions and responses better. From there, we are able to recognize where our thoughts and emotions are leading us, and hence, make the necessary changes we need. Respond, Don't React. 

• Assume responsibility. I am responsible for my own actions and thoughts before God. 

• It’s okay to say no. Do not be a people-pleaser. Always take your shots from God. Not everyone will understand and they are not supposed to. It's okay to build healthy boundaries with the intention of guarding your joy and peace. This can also be how you practice self-love. 

• There is wisdom in choosing your inner circle and who you share it with. You don’t need a lot of voices. You only need God’s voice and a very handpicked Godly counsel. 

• Learning to love yourself without the affirmation of people is where peace and acceptance is found.

• Words of affirmation towards yourself are more powerful than anything someone else can say to you. Know your self. Know your worth. You are valuable because you are God's.

• Exercise and live healthy. Welcome those endorphins. Build healthy habits every year. 

• We don’t always have to speak to prove a point or to defend. There is blessing in silence. Nothing to prove, everything to improve. Learn from your mistakes and grow from there. 

• Guard your heart but don’t build walls. It’s about knowing your weakness and guarding from there. We all have different weaknesses and it’s different for everyone. Don't be afraid to love and be vulnerable as long as it's within God's boundaries, it's okay. 

• Let your actions speak louder than your words. Actions show real attitudes, rather than what we say.

• Inflation is real. Build hard assets. “Cash is King” yes but cash may only last up to one-two generations. But hard assets can save a generation up to the third or even fourth. (Just a personal learning. Not from a business book. I could be wrong in this.) 

• As women, sometimes we need to step back so someone can step up. Be an encourager and celebrate someone’s wins. You’ll be amazed at how the men in your life can reach his true potential when we focus on being an encourager and supporter. Rejoice with and for them.

• Hold everything loosely. People come and go. Things fade away and seasons change. The only one who stays is Jesus. Learn to be so content and joyful in the Lord that whatever happens in your life, in the highs and lows, your greatest delight is found in Him. 

• Be willing to try new things. Do not be closed-minded. What didn't work yesterday does not mean it won't forever. Have an open-mind.  Welcome unconventional ways. Set aside your own judgment. Put it on "suspense file" and see for yourself how we cannot put God's ways in a box. 

• Be more available and open. Be a Ruth. 

• Comparison is a thief of joy. Don't compare yourself with others. 

• There is joy in the present. Appreciate what you have. Focusing on what you don't have will end up in despair. 

• The greatest battles are won in surrender and through prayer. 

• "Pray for God's will". It's not always about what worked and what didn't, when we walk with the Lord there is the reality of God's sovereign will. Pray for it. Walk in it. (credits again to my mentor)