21st Birthday – As I near my 40th birthday in 2015, I find myself caught up in a deep reflection sparked by a popular internet trend: the desire to rewind time to a specific age.

With four decades of life under my belt, I have learned so much from nature and the whirlwind of society. Thinking back to when I was 21, I can’t help but wish for the technologies that are now commonplace. And looking at the choices I made—or didn’t make—back then, I’m struck by how much I’ve grown and learned since. I am not a writer or expert storyteller, but this is me laying it all out: a heartfelt journey through my own personal growth and the universal struggle to navigate life’s twists and turns with the wisdom of hindsight.
As I approach July 13th and my milestone of four decades on this Earth, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by a mix of emotions—tears welling up as I ponder my place in the ongoing story of humanity’s impact on our planet.
At 40, yes, my parents were always right.
To provide context, my relationship with my mother was positive. Although I am aware that my sentence has grammatical errors, I couldn’t come up with a better way to express my idea. My adoration for my mother has persisted, even to this day. My upbringing was led by my mother alone, and she exerted great effort in all aspects.
What so special – 21st Birthday
Since I was young, my aspiration has been to become an exemplary inhabitant of the planet Earth. Presently, I continue to foster this goal through my aspirations, ambitions, and endeavors. As my son currently stands at 6 years old, it is certain that when he reaches the age I am now, he will contemplate the remaining course of his life, and even more so at the age of 80.

In the rhythm of our weekly conversations, she took the lead, weaving through surface-level exchanges. I, not a troubled adolescent by any measure, found myself resisting simple gestures—hugs, assistance—responding with a curt “no” when my mother sought closeness. Despite sharing a modest one-room apartment, I remained indifferent to shared activities. It’s crucial to note that my relationship with my mother was positive; however, my expressions were often veiled by my own reservations. Raised by her alone, she invested tremendous effort in every aspect of my upbringing.
- Regret Consumes Me: I am overwhelmed with regret for my reluctance to engage in meaningful conversations. Her passing has intensified this sorrow, reminding me of missed opportunities.
- Words Left Unspoken: In the aftermath of her departure, the silence is deafening. I ache to go back and break down the emotional barriers that kept me from expressing my love and affection.
- Longing for Time Reversed: I yearn for the chance to undo the past, to fill the void left by our unspoken conversations and unsaid words. Each moment without her amplifies the pain, leaving me in tears of remorse and longing.
My grandparents endured the 1918–1920 pandemic, emerging stronger and adapting to a new way of life. They shared real stories, expressing a desire to revisit those dark years and make amends. Now, we discuss quantum mechanics, 6G networks, super AI, and machine consciousness. What more can I dream of for my kids in this ever-evolving world?
I wish I had this strategy (I call it the Vins Strategy) when I was 21 years old. Activate your trigger—it’s not just a strategy; it’s the heartbeat of success. Dive deep into the stories of achievers, letting their wisdom shape your path. With a strategic mentor who is already at the point where you want to be, carve a trajectory towards your aspirations. Craft goals, envision greatness, and execute with unwavering determination. Your success story begins with the activation of that transformative trigger. Embrace it, ignite your potential, and watch as the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, paving the way for a legacy of remarkable achievement.
Who Am I
Earth has been around for 4.5 billion years, and scientists believe it became life-friendly about 4.3 billion years ago. Fossils, which are like Earth’s old memories, only go back 3.7 billion years. Our universe is like a huge party, and there might be even more universes we don’t know about!
- Overwhelmed by Cosmic Majesty: The vastness of our universe, with its two trillion galaxies and countless stars, leaves me in tears of awe and wonder. Each galaxy, like our Milky Way, feels like a celestial celebration, illuminated by our own Sun hosting a cosmic party.
- Our Fragile Home: Within the Milky Way, our Sun’s nine planets include Earth, our precious home. It’s heartbreaking to realize amidst its beauty and complexity, there are over 200 countries, each unique. I am humbled to be from a city in one of these remarkable countries.
- Embracing the Magnitude: Contemplating this cosmic scale brings tears to my eyes, realizing the vastness of our universe and the intricacies of our planet. It’s a poignant reminder of our place in this grand tapestry, evoking deep emotions and a sense of profound connection.
Being a Homosapien means I’m one of 10 million species on Earth, and there are around 8 billion people like me. In the big picture of the universe, am I important? Not really, just someone enjoying the cosmic journey!
Journey – Lessons and Could Have Done Better
1st Lesson to My 21-Year-Old Self: Embrace a balanced life beyond self-focus. Prioritize exercise, mindful eating, and sharing with others. Cherish and respect your parents more, responding to your mother with care. Reflecting on my experiences, living with parents, even after marriage, would have saved money and spared disagreements. Advise your younger self to focus on aspects requiring special care.
- Live for Others: In retrospect, I feel remorseful for not realizing sooner the great value of dedicating my existence to serving others. Merely directing one’s attention towards oneself is insufficient and does not lead to a state of satisfaction. The boundless fervor for existence transcends all boundaries. At the time, I did not comprehend the objective of reading books. I prioritized achieving my own goals over helping others, leading to minimal effort on my part in supporting others.
- Little Wiser Use of Resources – I desire that I had the opportunity to allocate resources towards my avocation of photography and passion in physics. It’s common knowledge that physics has been instrumental in preventing us from being a millennium behind. The past would be inaccessible to our children if there were no cameras. I love my camera and little block of physics knowledge in my mind.
- Social Media:If Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter were there, then I would have told myself that you should cut your time on social media and make personal contact with family and friends; rather than using Whatsapp to say good morning to your parents, go hug and kiss your mother (I wish she would have been alive today) and say good morning with lots of smiles and warm wishes.
- Personal life : My personal life was just focused on my future, my studies, and finding a good job. You should spend some time with God, your parents, and your friends, caring for others and sharing what you have with others who do not even have what you have. (Even though at some points in my life I had only one room to call home and relied on public transport.)
- Social responsibilities: Social responsibilities involve shifting from expecting favors to giving through small donations and sharing resources. Embrace a culture of teaching what you know and learning openly from others. Develop awareness not only of what you buy but also of the ethical aspects of production, rejecting anything associated with harmful practices like environmental damage, child labor, unsafe working conditions, or other inhumane circumstances.
- Internet of the Thing:This was there like point-of-sale (POS) devices for credit card purchases, but not with the same name or mind set. I should have promoted these aspects for the betterment of society, as such technological breakthroughs offer improved health, day-to-day life, and community.
- Mobile Financial Services:Make use of technology to pay your school fee, buy your books, and buy your bus or train tickets. Have a small savings club with friends to save and make use of pooled funds by supporting the person in need.
- Online Schooling / Education system: This should have been there at that time, this would have saved significant cost and time for me and many others.
- Funky gadgets:Use one of the best devices that is affordable to you, not your friends or their dad’s car or pocket size. The devices are endless, but at the end, the use is the same, which is “keep you off from people around you”. I wish Android existed then so I could have contributed so much as a youngster with lots of innovative ideas and fantasies without hesitation or worry of being laughed at or failing.
- Confidence: Elevate your self-assurance and stand out more prominently. Adopting a confident posture, reminiscent of a young tree standing tall, sets you apart, especially if you surpass the six-foot mark. During my teenage years, I often slouched to blend in with my peers, except on the basketball court. Many tall individuals face similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of actively maintaining good posture. In contemporary times, some even opt for stilettos to enhance their stature.
- Travel the Globe :Getting away from everything you know and leaving your comfort zone will help you become more independent and force you to enjoy many new experiences. Many unexpected opportunities will present themselves outside your comfort zone. I could give you a hundred examples. Meeting unknown cultures and people is very important to broaden one’s horizons.
- Mentor:I should have chosen a better and different mentor (it’s not that the mentor I chose at that time was bad or inferior). Having a person in your life who is older and wiser than you and who will guide you with your life goals is something very valuable. I had a mentor who asked me to do what I wanted to do, and it was too open and too free, so at that point in time, I can say I was like a headless chicken (I can only say this today).
Securing special funding for personal or business endeavors enables us to adopt a new identity aligned with specific goals. Renewing our life membership, we aspire for financial sustainability, expanding our income streams to support our vital work. Reflecting on conformity, I realize the importance of embracing originality. Grateful to outgrow old habits, I look forward to new opportunities with God’s help and good health.
I Wish I Can Speak to my 21-year-old Self
The 21st birthday is a milestone in many countries, like America and India, signifying legal alcohol consumption. Youngsters celebrate with lively gatherings, reveling in the company of peers. It’s a special occasion to commemorate grandly with loved ones. Use these 21st birthday wishes and quotes to encourage contemplation on aspirations and goals as they prepare for the future.
- Unconventional Experiences: If given the chance, I’d engage in unconventional activities that weren’t available in my younger years, creating a unique and varied life experience.
- Extended Stay at Home: I would prioritize staying with my parents longer, appreciating the comfort of home until I turned 40, realizing the value of family support.
- Effortless Progress: Imagining my present self back then, I see a smoother journey and fewer stressful moments, with things falling into place effortlessly.
- Deeper Faith: Reflecting on my past, I notice a deeper trust in and reliance on God, a spiritual growth that has evolved over time.
- Global Interconnectedness: The increasing interconnectedness through technology allows us to witness diverse lifestyles globally, but it also highlights the disparities in opportunities that persist worldwide.
I spoke at the London School of Economics and Political Science about the need to accelerate development so people can lift themselves out of poverty. To use limited funds in the most effective way possible, we must fundamentally rethink our approach to development finance. Aspirations, linked to opportunity, can breed dynamism and inclusive, sustainable economic growth. That’s something we all want to see.

Conclusions – And there it is – a list that resonates, with certain items distinctly relevant to the younger version of myself. Yet, this might not be the opportune moment to embark on every point. People often find remorse in the opportunities they missed in their youth rather than the paths they took. But what if we alter the narrative? Instead of casting our gaze back with regret, why not cast it forward with unwavering determination? Among the five things you’ve identified, which one will you commence tomorrow? In the tapestry of our evolving selves, with changing faces and accumulating maturity, we step into a new era every 2-3 years. The canvas is vast, and the brush is in your hands.
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As you reflect on your life journey thus far, may you find moments of gratitude for the experiences that have shaped you into the person you are today. Embrace this milestone with open arms and a heart full of excitement for the adventures that lie ahead. Here’s to embracing every twist and turn, cherishing the lessons learned, and embracing the endless possibilities that await you. Happy birthday and cheers to the beautiful journey ahead!