5 Hard Truths From a 53 Year Old

1. "People who are not treating you well are not going to treat you any better if you work harder"

As human beings, we crave validation if we like to admit it or not. It's in our DNA. We want to know that we're doing good, that we're on the right path, that our hard work is paying off. And so, when there is someone in our life who doesn't validate us, who thinks what we're doing 'no make sense', there is a tendency to want to prove that person wrong, to want to 'show them', especially if this is a person who we like or want validation from. But there is no point. A person who is not treating you well today will not treat you better tomorrow because you've started overworking yourself. They may capitalize on it and enjoy the benefits of this new found hard work. But how somebody treats another shows the person's character, and a person with a nasty character will still treat you badly no matter what you do. This is not to say that you shouldn't work harder or do better, especially if the person wanting and pushing you to is a trusted person that wants to see you do better for yourself, or wants you to show up to life better. But if it is a bully or a scorner who doesn't already treat you well, best believe that no matter what you do, that person will look at you with scorn and dismissal regardless of whatever you do. Remember, people who are not treating you well are not going to treat you any better if you work harder.

2. "Your body is definitely going to repay you for how you treat it when you were young"

Actions have consequences and the seeds we plant today are going to sprout fruits tomorrow. Don't take harmful substances, please. Right now, it seems to be the thing a lot of young people are doing, and there's so much peer pressure to give into at least one vice if you want to feel 'among'. But believe me when I say, there is no use. Keep your body clean of unwanted toxins that health professionals have warned against. Exercise your body, even if it's just buy jumping skipping rope for three to five minutes everyday. Your body is definitely going to repay you for how you treat it when you were young, so treat it kindly.

3. "Please stop hiding your age because we're all so lucky to be getting older"

Growing older is a gift. Turning any new age is a blessing that we should all be so lucky to receive. So, flaunt that age. And be proud of that age. Anybody insulting or ridiculing anybody for being older also prays and hopes they get to live as long, so shake their offensive words off and bask in the joy of having been blessed with an age so many aspire to reach.

4. "When you have conflict with someone, 9 out of 10 times, that person has already told you who they are"

Looking at "what is" and not "what I want it to be" is one of the hardest things for us as human beings to do. When we have a conflict or somebody does us evil, it's almost like our brains cannot process it. So we start to move things around, try to bend our minds to make sense of how the other person could have done what they did to us. But there is no need. It is more beneficial to look at people for who they are, how they show up in times of conflict, and what they do after. How a person behaves tells you who they are. Their actions are their fruits. Remember that! When you have conflict with someone, 9 out of 10 times, that person will either reveal who they are, or has already told you who they are.

5. "The people you surround yourself with will always impact how you're showing up in the world."

It is true: birds of a feather do flock together. The people you surround yourself with inform what you think is right, what you think is possible, what you will tolerate, etc. Be careful to surround yourself with people with a good moral compass. With people that will inspire and not crush your dreams. With people who stray you away from paths that are dangerous and not lead you down them either as guinea pigs or so you can be low with them. Be mindful of your company. It will impact greatly on how you show up to the world every single day.

Finally: Be kind to yourself. Please ❤️

This story was inspired by tamsenfadal's Instagram video.