25 nuggets of wisdom from Christian

I’ve always liked the name Christian and I personally know quite a number of people who carry this beautiful name (anything with Christ in it is beautiful).

I don’t know if the name has got to do with it, but the people I know who are named Christian live up to their name. A classmate in the grades was named Christian and he was a nice kid (we never fought).

A nephew from my first cousin was also christened Christian and he grew up into a fine boy (now living in Texas), whose only flaw is that he eats too much.

In the music field, we have Christian Bautista. Oh what a nice name it is: Baptized Christian. So far he has been hanging on to his good reputation and name – despite the sinful surroundings that is show business. Definitely, he is a good example to the young showbiz crowd and he should be emulated.

Recently, he turned 25 and to mark this important milestone in his life, I asked him to give me a list of the 25 important things he learned in his quarter of a century on this earth so that other youngsters may learn from him. Here is his list:

1. Put God first. If you seek Him first, everything will fall into place.

2. How to swim. You’ll never know when you’ll have to actually go out of the emergency exit door in an airplane and start swimming for your life.

3. Learn how to keep your friends. Real friends will always be ready to answer your call when needed. Keeping in touch with them would mean a lot.

4. Learn how to drive a car. It’s still the most practical way to get around.

5. Don’t take your family for granted. Your family is always there for you but sometimes busy schedules and tiredness make you forget their presence. Remember they are just waiting for you to say to them: How are you?

6. Be sporty. It keeps you fit. It’s fun and energizing.

7. Read the newspaper. You learn so much even if you just browse through the pages.

8. Relatives like cousins, uncles and aunts are also fun to be with! Getting to know them more now will be very helpful later.

9. School is important. While I was studying I thought, "Am I going to need this when I’m old?." Now I’m saying, "Boy, I’m sure glad I took down notes!"

10. Widen your connections. Get to know as many people as you can. Rich is the man with many friends!

11. Fame is temporary, but inspiration can be forever. There’s a difference between an audience knowing your song and a couple making it their theme song for the rest of their lives.

12. Fortune is nothing. Money can buy you lots of immediate relief and pleasures. But it won’t last.

13. Smile more. Even if you don’t feel like it. It makes a big difference instantly.

14. Don’t be too serious. Being serious may work during a talk show, but not when friends are joking around in a party.

15. Put your heart into everything you do. People will notice when you are faking it. So put heart into your smile, your work, your life!

16. Memorize people’s names and faces. If you’re having a hard time, don’t make an excuse. Get a memory book and start learning how to remember.

17. Feel good about yourself. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Learn to use your strengths to your advantage and be happy with them!

18. Know how to use a computer. Better get acquainted with the personal computer before the information age overtakes you too much.

19. It’s ok to talk about the good old days. Sometimes the good times we had before can never match the possible experiences in the future.

20. Don’t play with fire. Don’t think you can always take the heat. You’ll never know when your moth wings will catch a spark.

21. Learn how to appreciate and say thank you. It means so much to the people who helped you directly or indirectly.

22. Know how to forgive and forget. Dwelling on the mistakes of the past can only make you feel worse. Learn from them.

23. Be adventurous. Sometimes the right adventure can change the course of your life – if you choose the right path.

24. When you are 25 think about 25 important things you’ve learned in your life. You’ll be amazed how much you’ve learned!

25. Don’t stop at 25. Keep on learning and improving day by day.