Our Top 5 favorite ‘lessons learned’ from Jonathan McReynolds’ birthday reflections
By EEW Magazine // Birthdays
Last month, gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds turned 29 years old and took occasion to share wisdom that far exceeds his years on earth.
On his Life Room Talk blog, in a post titled “Lessons learned by 29,” the Dove Award-winning recording artist shared 16 truths he lives by that he has discovered in his less than 30 years. Today, EEW is choosing our Top 5 favorite nuggets of wisdom.
Here they are no specific order:
#1 Happiness is not reality based. It is perspective based. No annual income, relationship status, height or weight is, in itself, the key to happiness. To some, $500,000 and 250lbs is a step up. To others, it is a step down. Even further, to some, a dying relative is reason to break down. To others, it would've been nice to have had memories of a relative at all. Calibrate your perspective before you go through the trouble of trying to change your reality. I'd hate for you to get what you wanted and it's not what you wanted. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
#2 The most important trait in someone is humility. Period. Without it, the intelligent are unteachable. The beautiful are one dimensional. The gifted will never know what the gift was for. The successful are headed to destruction. The married will never compromise and grow. There are only two kinds of people in the world: the humble and those who will be humbled. (Matthew 23:12)
#3 It is wise to act as if no one owes you anything. Most of the time, they don't anyway. Convince yourself that you are not entitled to a smile, a post, support, accolades, an opportunity, a relationship, a ring or a second chance. If comparison kills, entitlement buries.
#4 Someone will always be there to hate your treasure and someone will be there to love your trash. The amazing things you do will never be unanimously appreciated and the things you aren't proud of will always find a fan.
#5 It is wise to act as if no one has an issue with you and that you are already accepted. It's easier on your heart, attitude, and sanity. You will perform better and you will behave more respectably if you are not always anticipating opposition. You're strong enough to take a shot to the gut if they give you one, but keeping track of haters, grudges, eye rolls, and judges gives life to them and drains yours. My uncle says "the easiest thing to be is nice." Ecclesiastes says "Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others."
Good wisdom to live by, right?
We can’t wait to see what the next 29 years will teach Mr. McReynolds!
If you want to scoop up the rest of the gems he drops on his blog, click here. But, before you go, listen to his live rendition of one our favorite Jonathan McReynolds songs, “Cycles.”