You should know that I am a relatively stress-free individual. Not in the sense that nothing in life stresses me out, or that I do not find myself smack in the middle of stressful situations, but rather I tend to deal with it calmly. Anger, frustration and confusion all come out to play, but for the most part, I still sleep peacefully at night.

I believe, as I have mostly, that all I need to do, is the best that I can do. At any given time. Whenever I am doing that, things are at their peak. Even when things do not work out the way I would have wished them to be, or hoped they would turn out, I am happy. Because at least… I tried. However, when I do not give it my best, even when I give it my worst, I confidently, albeit regrettably, deal with the consequences. I take responsibility for my own lack of effort without justification. I do seek understanding of course, after all, this is how one learns, but no need to point the finger and try to escape blame in order for things to be OK.

Why?

Because it is always OK. Bad things happen. They will always happen, in as much as they always have. I will fail. That is inevitable. The question simply is, will I learn from it, and more importantly, what will I learn? Will this lesson actually turn out to be opposing the path I would have loved to go on? or will it actually improve upon it?

That is to say, for instance: I end a long relationship. I was in love. The woman I was with has disappointed me, much like all others. Do I decide that I should look for someone who makes sense? Someone with whom it is practical to be with? Such as for instance someone who is weak and is easily led? or do I in fact maintain my standards and learn what features caused the past relationships to end? what characteristics were in common (even the ones that are different) that were the reason why our relationship couldn’t work?

You always need to learn the lessons that give you what you wanted in the first place. And this way, you always move forward. Do not let the past dictate your life. Even though it defines who you are now, it should not influence your future. Meaning, failed experiences or bad ones may add a level of precaution that might have been missing, but shouldn’t negate a new experience, however similar it might be.

In life, all that matters is that you give it your best, that you follow your heart, and find the wisdom to laugh at your mistakes. Always believe that tomorrow can be better than today, even if there are no guaranties of it. The most beautiful thing about the future is that it can not be predicted. It can change. You can change it. You can influence it. All you have to do, is change something today, and tomorrow will follow.

At least in this lifetime, the sun will always rise in the morning and set in the evening. Rise in the East and go to bed in the West. Life may end, but it also goes on. Whether we ride that train or not, these are the facts of life that will not change.

So we might as well get on the train and enjoy the ride.

No matter what you do, you will die. When you die is unknown. You can control it of course. You can put yourself at risk or end your life yourself. But you will most certainly die. It is not a choice.

To live however, is a choice that you have to make. You are alive yes, but are you living? That is the choice you need to make.

Living is about making active choices. It is not a simple matter of accepting circumstances. It is about seizing the moment, taking risks every once in a while and trusting in your heart. Your instinct.

If you want people to believe in you, you first must believe in yourself.

If you want people to like or love you, you first must love yourself.

If you want people to trust you, then you should trust yourself first.

If you want others to change, then change yourself.

This is your life. Only you can live it. So don’t live someone else’s life. Try to live yours first, and if you still have time, then maybe you can give someone else’s life a shot.