I might just be eighteen years old, but in the near to be two decades I've been on this planet, I'd like to think that I've learned some pretty good life lessons. I'd like to take some time just to share some of them with you... if you'd like to listen.
The key to happiness
People are always saying that they have the key to happiness. Maybe they do... for them. But much like a key will not open every door, neither will one piece of advice make everyone happy. Happiness is not a destination, and it is not a right. Once you accept that, you'll find that you appreciate every moment of happiness, every smile, every laugh, and you treasure it through the more difficult times in your life.
Following your dreams
I consider this to be the most important thing you can do in life. The heart wants what the heart wants. You can try to reason with it, try to fool yourself into thinking that it wouldn't be worth it and it's just a crazy pipe-dream, but it yearns for it regardless. People will tell you that it isn't possible. Ignore them. You will tell yourself that you can't do it. Don't listen to yourself. If you put the work in, you can achieve anything, and anyone who tells you differently is merely an example of someone who had a dream... and didn't attempt to make it a reality. You want something? Go out and get it. You might have to struggle for it, but once you finally achieve it, you'll be able to experience a sense of achievement that few people in life get to feel.
Appreciate what you have in your life
Tell the people in your life you love them more often. It doesn't have to be your significant other. Love isn't reserved for soul-mates. Love is for everyone; friends, family, role-models. You don't even have to use the words "I love you" in order to convey to someone that you do.
Appreciate what you have in your life too. Your health, your home, your job, your relationships... offer a hand to those who aren't as fortunate as yourself once in a while. It's amazing what people can achieve if they try to do just one good deed per day.
Work on your art
Writing, painting, music, photography, acting... whatever. Creating something is a way to express your soul. Take your pain and expose it to the world in an artistic manner. Take your love and put it out there for everyone to see. Whatever you're feeling, make it into art, whether you're a musician, a photographer, an artist, an author... just take your preferred creative outlet and put your art out there. Your soul will feel the benefit of doing so, and who knows, someone might be able to look at your work and feel a little bit better for doing so.
Nothing is worth your negative energy
Hatred is the most pointless emotion ever. The fury that rises within you when you see someone in the street isn't good for your health, and it certainly isn't good for their's. So why bother? Letting go of your grudges may be difficult, but it really isn't worth holding on to. Focus on the people that you are glad are in your life and let go of everything else.
Love yourself
You are wonderful and unique. You're one of a kind, an endangered species. If you don't like something about yourself, then strive to change it, but never be ashamed of who you are, or what you look like. And if there's someone in your life that doesn't realise how amazing you are... then they don't deserve to be in your life. Love yourself, and respect how awesome you are. With that being said...
Respect others
We don't all have the same opinions. We don't all have the same tastes. It's a fact of life. But there's no reason not to respect others differing viewpoints if they have done so in a respectful way themselves. If they are expressing a highly offensive opinion, then by all means, point out that they are doing so, but don't say that they are stupid for doing so. Everyone has a right to express their views, but no-one has the right to outright insult or deeply offend others by doing so.
What about you guys? What are your life lessons?
