KNOWING WHO YOU ARE? LIFE STAGES!

Life is divided into stages, and each stage compels us to make decisions that will dictate how our lives are going to be in the future. We actually encounter them everyday: whether to eat bread or rice, show up on a date or not, upgrade your cheap mobile phone or stick with it, go get married or stay single, and a whole lot more. Decisions are what drive our lives to our destiny; our choices today will be our life tomorrow. Though we may not know what lies ahead, we must be careful of whatever decisions we make. Below is a list of the biggest decisions we'll ever make. Be acquainted with them, so that when it's your turn to decide, at least you already have an idea what to choose.

1. College. Everybody says that going to college will pave a way for a fulfilling, well-paying career. This is true, though not entirely accurate. In fact, 3 of the wealthiest, most famous billionaires in the U.S. are actually college dropouts. What really matters is how you manage through life, rather than your scholastic records. Earning a degree is expensive, and you're not even sure if investing on your education is a wise decision. You might end up not seeing the return on investment for the resources you spent in the long run. But, you have to acknowledge that possessing a degree is already one step closer to fulfilling your dream.
2. Voting. Everyday we come across choices like what brand of smartphone to buy, what shoes to wear, and whom to vote. Ever since our formative years, there has already been a tradition of electing our class officers who will take care of class affairs and responsibilities. As we grow old, the jurisdiction expands from the classroom to the country as a whole. In casting our votes, we have our own reasons, and I suppose the greatest of all is for the betterment of our society. Each and every vote is precious, for it will determine the fate of the country and how it will be judged by history. It all starts by exercising your right to vote.
3. Getting married. Aside from honoring the sanctity of marriage, it is also regarded as a legally binding contract with serious implications in cases of breaching the said contract. The question remains, "Why get married?" Isn't it enough that you are happy dating someone? If it doesn't go well, then it's easy to break up. But under marriage, a divorce is needed, which can drain an individual's wealth. Studies also show that being in an unhappy marriage causes as much damage to the heart as a smoking habit. Marriage can be dangerous for your health, and divorce can be dangerous for your wealth. So before tying the knot, think carefully.
4. Having a baby. The ability to reproduce is one of the characteristics of life. Without reproduction, the earth will just be a desolate place uninhabited by living organisms, so we reproduce. Actually too much of this has already led to overpopulation in some areas. Anyway, before deciding to have a baby, you first have to understand the demands of parenthood per se. There are physical, mental, emotional, and not to forget, financial aspects that are needed to be met before introducing a new life here in this world. Make sure you are capable of raising a child, or else things could go ugly.
5. Aiming for a promotion. Every one of us wants to reach the top, realize his potential, be respected, and leave a legacy. We have to keep moving forward, or else we will be left behind. To be stagnant in the same position at the same salary is a sign of failure because that is a sign that we failed to climb the corporate ladder. However, promotion is actually a choice that we have to make. It's not something unknown that the more you go up, the more it gets harder: your accountability expands and you gain more responsibilities. And the higher you go, the harder you fall if all else fails.
6. Buying a house. Owning a house is everybody's dream. Having a house in your possession is one of the best determinants to pronounce financial stability. A home is also an opportunity to erect a firm foundation for building a family. This is a very big investment, so decide well before closing the deal.
7. Retiring. Many people picture retirement as a time when all they have to do is relax to rest their weary minds and bodies from many years of hard work. But for the few, this isn't how they see their retirement to be; some see their work as their source of happiness. That's the reason why there are some who continue with their careers even though they are already physically senile. But of course, it's always their choice. The rule of thumb is, "Do whatever makes you happy."

The way things will turn out in your life is entirely up to you. You can screw your life or manage to be a success, and everything depends on you. Though we may have different dreams and aspirations, the point of living is making sure that what we do makes us genuinely happy.