Care to join me on this journey?

If all difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out at all.

- Dan Rather

In the concrete jungle where you are thrust upon once you hit two decades on earth -- it's a struggle to come out unscathed. While being in your 20s has its boons (options, opportunities, discoveries), it also has its banes (choices to be made, more growing up do, cutting off some ties).

So I have come up with my own Survival Kit. I'm turning 23 this year (scary that it's nearer to 25 than to 20) so I share this to all you people in the same boat as I am. For those who already know that this too shall pass, do feel free to add a few of your own items.

My Survival Kit for the 20-something

Item Category 1: Literature. No one must explore the Jungle without maps or how-to booklets.

a. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. Very explanatory by title alone.

b. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway (memoir). To make you dream of Paris.

c. Elements of Style by Strunk and White. You're gonna need it, believe me.

d. Disappointment With God by Phillip Yancey. To keep you in perspective. Especially for the questioning minds.

e. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. All people who have asked the question "What am I going to do with my life?" will relate to Esther's character.

f. Kiko Machine comic series by Manix Abrera. Sometimes, a little humor helps.

Item Category 2: Films. Orientation through visual and auditory means have been proven highly effective.

a. Reality Bites. A must-watch for all fresh graduates. I swear.

b. Garden State. Nothing like Zach Braff and Natalie Portman to send you on a flashback to your past. Sabi nga, "Ang di lumingon sa pinanggalingan, di makakarating sa paroroonan." (Pathetic attempt at translation: Anyone who turns his back on his past will not reach his destination)

c. Finding Forrester. Because we all need a mentor.

d. Death Becomes Her. To remind us that immortality on this earth is not to be longed for.

e. Once. Just because I said so.

f. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Everyone needs a good romantic comedy.

Item Category 3. The Playlist. There are times when the sounds of the Jungle need to be tuned out.

a. I believe that John Mayer has been successful in capturing the yearnings of this generation. Specific songs for this phase in your life: No Such Thing, Waiting on the World to Change, Clarity, and Vultures. The last one being my particular favorite.

b. The Eraserheads.

c. Switchfoot's This is your life and Meant to live

d. Alanis Morisette's You Learn and That I would be good

e. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's Falling Slowly

f. Sugarfree's cover of Apo Hiking Society's Batang-bata ka pa

g. Hillsong's Here in My Life

h. Newsboys' You are my King

i. The Beatles' Strawberry fields forever

j. U2's I still haven't found what I'm looking for

k. The Who's Teenage Wasteland

l. Ingrid Michaelson's Keep Breathing

m. Regina Spektor's The Call (From Prince Caspian OST)

n. Up Dharma Down's The world is our playground and we will always be home

Item Category 4. The Intagibles. You'll know if you have it.

a. Desire to learn.

b. Ability to let go.

c. A little submissive spirit

d. Fighter's Instinct. (Ika nga ni Ma'am A. "Choose your battles")

e. Intentionality. Live your life with purpose -- waiting for things to happen gets you nowhere.

Item Category 5: Your companions. No matter how prepared you are, you'll always need someone to have your back.

a. Kindred Spirits. When you've forgotten who you are, they'll remind you.

b. High School close friends. They see how much you've changed and how much you haven't. Help you keep in touch with your old dreams.

c. Parents. This is the time of your life when you'll actually acknowledge that they know better than you do.

d. Former teachers. For wisdom.

e. New acquaintances. You just have to sift through them -- sometimes you'll find a gem.

f. Your personal heroes. Find encouragement from them.

And lastly, you'll need lots of this: Prayer. Talk to your Maker.