40 Things about 40. A birthday blog by Muhammad Dawud.

Here we are.

Forty years ago, some doctor slapped me on the ass, and I took my first breaths. Since that glorious afternoon, I’ve been able to navigate childhood, serving my country, and becoming a parent myself.

Some people call this age “over the hill,” like it’s the peak before decline. Honestly? I feel just as healthy as I did 20 years ago. Sure, I lost a few points on my PFT, but it’s still first class. I’ve gained less than two pounds a year, my 40-yard dash is still under 4.7, and I can still bench my body weight.

I’ve stopped drinking, but I’ll be sipping something in celebration - Celebrating the last 20 years, and the 10 years before that, and the 10 years before that. As I look ahead to the next 40 years, God willing, I wanted to share 40 awesome lessons that I’ve learned— and plan to carry with me into the future.

1. Family is tantamount.

This can’t be said enough. You don’t pick your family, but you are blessed with them.

2. You can be good at everything, but find something to be great at.

I struggle with this because I take pride in paideia, but you have to be hyper-focused to be successful in accomplishing your goals in this digital age. Focus is power.

3. Sometimes your best is not good enough for some people, and that’s okay.

Time is the beautiful sandpaper that molds us into the person we need to be. Don’t blame yourself for what you didn’t know yet.

4. If you are doing it for the accolades, you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

I wasted many years trying to impress people who didn’t care. Never let the need to belong make you easy to exploit.

5. Chlorophyll is the best deodorant you can drink.

What you put in your body shows up in your energy, your skin, even your scent. Eat more living foods.

6. Stop smoking.

You see how soon some of our childhood heroes are dying? Complications from high blood pressure, and nobody wants to wake up to smoker’s breath.

7. Live in your luxuries.

The best moments in life are often free — feeling good, doing what you love. Do that more.

8. Read as many books as you can.

As I’ve said before, paideia is essential, and education is freedom. The ability to think deeply and draw connections unlocks the world.

9. Create an investment portfolio, and get some life insurance.

Generational Wealth is the key, and once you learn that there are families that are working on ensuring wealth for their 20th generation, it shows you the gravitas of compound interest, and passing down assets instead of debt to your future bloodline.

10. Workout for an hour a day.

Exercise is sustaining your heart rate for a sustained period of time. It doesn’t have to be the gym, working out can be as simple as walking your dogs and stretching daily. An hour of elevated heart rate — walk, stretch, lift, play. Just move.

11. Stop talking to your exes.

I truly love all of them, and as beautiful as they are, there’s a reason why it ended. Don’t let your past block your future. Let the past stay in the past. Love them from a distance.

12. Everything that you want is on the other side of fear.

To have what you’ve never had, you’ll have to do what you’ve never done.

13. Learn how to cook several five course meals.

There is something special about cooking meals from scratch. Having a foundational knowledge of cuisine is essential to wealth, and is testament to power, creativity, and self-reliance.

14. Travel the world.

Travel builds understanding you can’t get any other way.

15. Gift your kids a business and a rental property.

And it’s okay if they don’t run it, but show them the importance of not asking their boss if they can go home early.

16. Religion is what you practice, Spirituality is who you are.

You can follow a faith and still be cruel. People with a pure heart are needed now more than ever. Clear eyes, full heart, cant lose. Ever.

17. Life is like driving a car.

Don’t speed. Wear your seatbelt. Check your mirrors — just don’t stare too long.

18. Understand your frequency, and protect it at all costs.

Understand that your frequency will precede you. Some people will pour into you, and there are others that you will need to pour into. Always understand both in order to build your frequency.

19. Become the person that you want to be around.

It’s that simple. Nobody wants to be around someone that doesn’t want to be around themselves. All of human unhappiness comes from not knowing how to remain at rest. Alone. Especially if you’re single — become the partner you hope to find.

20. There are people that won’t like what you are doing, just because it’s you doing it.

Haters gonna hate. Love them anyway, they’ll eventually come around, and if they don’t, that’s their problem. Their feelings aren’t your assignment.

21. Make sure that you’re doing a good deed daily.

Go out of your way. Do it anyway. Understand that gratitude is founded in the highest frequency of gratitude. Build it daily.

22. Fasting is so important to your overall health.

Fasting gives your stomach a break, and your mind a workout. Discipline in one area builds strength in others.

23. Everything may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.

It’s up to you to make the best opportunity. Winners build. Others blame.

24. No amount of money will make you a better person.

Understand that wealth is a responsibility, not a cloak for your insecurities. Wealth reveals character; It doesn’t fix it.

25. Before you start breaking generational curses, do your research.

Life comes in cycles, but understand what your ancestors had to go through to get you here. I’m currently in the 1860’s in Charleston, South Carolina. Know what your ancestors endured — it gives perspective and purpose.

26. Actively work on increasing your patience.

Patience is wealth. Take deep breaths, and let a few people go ahead of you in that grocery store line.

27. Love like your heart has never been broken.

It’s been half a decade since my last relationship, and nobody said it’s easy, but I know that there’s someone out there that loves the same way that I do. Staying closed only lets the past win. Be open to new possibilities.

28. Nobody became successful alone.

It’s okay to be HIM, but realize how powerful you could be if you build a team of 30 other YOUS.

29. Life is a performance; Make it look easy.

You don’t know what it took that person to make it look that easy, but life is a stage, and the easier you make it look, the more that will be given to you. Grace under pressure is a superpower.

30. Take care of the 10 year old version of you.

Live life like you are giving the youth everything that you didn’t have growing up. Become the person you needed.

31. Grow some of your own food.

Growing your own food is some of the most gangster shit you can do, and It will give you perspective on the world — and food tastes better when you raised it.

32. Nobody owes you anything.

Work harder. Don’t become too humble. Don’t brag too much. Give the kids something to believe in.

33. No such thing as haters, only students you haven't taught yet.

I love all of them. People hate what they can’t understand, so forgive their ignorance, and lead with grace.

34. Say no as many times as you need to.

And say yes when it matters. Both shape your life.

35. There are so many things on this planet more rewarding than sex.

Sex can only fill a void for so long if you don’t understand it’s true power and significance. Pleasure fades. Purpose lasts.

36. You should be improving every single day.

One percent is not a lot, but over time, it becomes a whole new life. Just 15 minutes a day, becomes 90 hours a year. There’s nothing you can’t do or learn.

37. Be kind. You never know what someone is going through.

The most courageous act is to inspire. It’s always easier to smile, and love comes from the heart. Live by the golden rule.

38. The mistake we take with time is thinking that we have it.

Do the important things now. Don’t take your time for granted. We only get one time on this planet. Make it count.

39. Nobody cares about the adversity you had to overcome until you become successful.

Keep going, don’t give up, and give them something to talk about. You are the reference point.

40. It’s not all about you.

When you put your ego away, you become your truest form of yourself.

Forty isn’t a finish line — it’s a checkpoint. It’s proof that I survived, learned, built, failed, adjusted, and kept going. I’m grateful for every scar, every lesson, every win, and every loss because they shaped the man I am today. If the first 40 years were about becoming, the next 40 will be about refining, building, and pouring into others.

THE MARATHON CONTINUES.

The gratitude deepens.

The best is still ahead — Mashallah.