My Life Lessons
By Ejaz Shah — 29th September 2020
I have some breaking news.
A couple of weeks old, so not quite ‘breaking news’, but let’s pretend…
Ladies and gentlemen, yours truly has reached a milestone.
No, the extra pounds around the waist have not been shed – I’ve added to them! Not quite a martial arts maestro just yet, I’m still visualising that goal through old Bruce Lee flicks!
However, and this might surprise you, so do take a seat. Although my dashing not-quite-side-profile-but-its-my-best-angle photograph might not show it, my friends, I have reached the golden age of 40!
I know, you’re shocked, I completely understand, stay seated.
Forty is a big age, and although you do not feel it as time rushes you by, looking back now, there is so much that I have experienced, both the good, bad and ugly. Through these experiences I have gained so many lessons, some really painful ones and some really useful ones. Where these personal life lessons have been really beneficial to me and I’m sure will be in time to come, I have also looked at others, to gain wisdom from the lessons they have learned in their lives.
In this blog I have decided to share some of the most valuable lessons that I have gained, from people that inspire me:
1. “Make your own luck” - Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee for me really was the ultimate, he achieved so much in his short life. His work ethic, his commitment, his focus, everything about him is something we can learn from. His achievements speak for themselves, the biggest achievement being, that he did it all himself.
“You have to create your own luck. You have to be aware of the opportunities around you and take advantage of them”
2. “Do a job you love” - Steve Jobs
I am living proof of this lesson. I tried many other ventures, trying to find something I loved, my purpose. I knew what I wanted, but at the same time, I didn’t know what I wanted – does that make sense?! In the end I worked hard at what I enjoyed; it was what I was good at, and it has led me to where I am today, in a job that I love. Find what you love, you deserve to be happy in what you are doing.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matter of the heart, you’ll know when you find it”
I am living proof of this lesson. I tried many other ventures, trying to find something I loved, my purpose. I knew what I wanted, but at the same time, I didn’t know what I wanted – does that make sense?! In the end I worked hard at what I enjoyed; it was what I was good at, and it has led me to where I am today, in a job that I love. Find what you love, you deserve to be happy in what you are doing.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matter of the heart, you’ll know when you find it”
3. “Life isn't a race” - Confucius
In this day and age, we are constantly fed with images, posts and tweets of the amazing lives others around us are living. If we turn our social media off, we get it from our elders, ‘son, have you seen Mr Hussain’s son’s best friends, cousins wife’s, brothers, work colleagues, second cousin? He’s a doctor, your age, soon to be a surgeon, vah vah!’ Don’t compare yourself to others. Your progress in life is personal to your experiences. Just keep at it, don’t give up and you will get there – where you want to be, not necessary where those around you are.
“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop”
4. “Women are leaders” - Muhammad Ali Jinnah
My mother gave birth to me, nurtured me. I grew up with my four sisters, my wife stands by me at each turn, my three daughters give me life daily. I have existed amongst women and I am better for it. No explanation is needed for this. We will only succeed in life with our women standing beside us.
“No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men”
5. “Be patient” - Bill Gates
‘Sabr’. This can be tough to implement. We tend to seek immediate gratification, because we need the satisfaction. But we also know that in time what is meant for us will not forsake us. Keep reaching for those goals, but be patient, your time will come.
“Patience is a key element of success”
6. “Leave your mark on society” - Rosa Parks
All of us will leave a mark on society, in a big or small way, positive or negative. The type of mark we leave is down to us. This has never been more important than it is today. We are living in a world where people are making divisions amongst us, let us instead work for each other, to make a better society, for us, for our children, for the future.
I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free… so other people would be also free.
7. “Educate! Educate! Educate!” - Malcolm X
For me this is the key to everything. I have said this before on my previous blogs, you must educate yourself, in order to be the best version of yourself and achieve your goals. Education is not limited to the classroom; life is a journey and we are constantly learning. Those that will strive ahead, are those that are prepared for tomorrow, by learning for it today.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”
8. “It's not bragging if you can back it up” - Muhammed Ali
The man that amazed the world with his talent and quick wit. His achievements in the ring were what bought him acclaim and worldwide fame, but I say it is his actions and words outside the ring that make him the Greatest. Of. All. Time. Let’s try and emulate the good in him.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”
9. “Time is of essence” - Anna Wintour
This lesson is similar to that of patience; however, I view the importance of timing as so crucial that I needed to include this. We rush in everything we do; it has become second nature to us. However, I have learnt this lesson, in painful ways. Rather than rushing to achieve something, learn, prepare and execute your plans with precision and at the right time.
“It’s always about timing. If it’s too soon, no one understands. If it’s too late, everyone’s forgotten”
10. “Save for a rainy day” - My Grandfather
This is not a direct quote, this is a piece of advice my father has repeated to me throughout my life, a lesson that was passed on to him by his father. Although, in my youth this piece of advice might have gone over my head, since I have become a father this has been one of the most important and relevant advice I have gained. I always worry about my family’s well-being, like every father does, and I have taken it upon myself to implement this lesson in my life.
“Son, regardless of what you earn, always save something, even if it is the bare minimal amount”
Wrapping it up
There are so many more I could have added to the list above, I am constantly inspired by those around me. I hope the ones that I have included provide you with some inspiration.
At this milestone I am more excited than I have ever been. Life has blessed me in so many ways, for that I am eternally grateful, however, I have so much more I want to achieve. So please friends, raise your glass, your cup of chai, coffee, green juice (really?!), here’s to the next forty years 😊
I receive comments, messages and emails from all you wonderful readers, and I am as inspired by your aspirations, determination, dreams and plans as I am by those individuals I have mentioned above. So please comment below with your life lessons, the lessons that inspire you and I look forward to reading them.
Just before I go...
For those that know me personally will know I have been a fan of Tupac since school days so I could not leave this blog without including a couple of quotes from the legend himself!!
- “During your life, never stop dreaming. No one can take away your dreams.”
- “Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back, it simply means that you are 2 steps ahead.”
- “For every dark night, there’s a brighter day.”
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