(no subject)
i was looking through some old papers in my files last night, and i came across a pyschology assignment from earlier this year. i had to write a letter to my child to give to him or her on his/her 18th birthday. this is just an excerpt that details the lessons i have learned so far in life, but i thought that since the end of the year is near and some of us are moving onto other things, id post them...
and i got the chills reading it again.
- Confidence is the key. Hating myself only brought me sadness, insecurities, and stress. You are who you are for a reason, so always remember that.
- Don’t let others get you down. People who treat you with less respect than you treat them are not worth your time. I had my fair share of people try to make my life hell, and I let them get to me at some points. Believe me, it’s not worth it.
- Sometimes you’re the only person who’s willing to stand up for something. If you know in your heart that you are right, you should never be ashamed to defend yourself, an idea, or a group of people.
- People are going to be mean and fake. Look for the good in people, but don’t be naïve enough to think that everyone is going to like you. Sometimes you just have to be the bigger person.
- Wear your heart on your sleeve. Be compassionate. Don’t be afraid to let others know you care about them. Having a support network of people who love you can never be a bad thing.
- “Do one thing everyday that scares you.” (Eleanor Roosevelt) Step out of your bubble and do things people would not expect you to do.
- Don’t have regrets. Take every heartbreak, insult, and bad decision in stride, and know that your past is what makes you unique. You can’t go back and change things, so don’t dwell on the thought for too long.
- Live in the present. The future is too far away to plan in advance. Don’t ever settle for predictable or usual-keep people on their feet! Be spontaneous and fun “Seize the day. Make your life extraordinary.” (Dead Poet’s Society)
- Don’t be stupid. Protect yourself. Know that you are NOT invincible and that things can be taken away from you in an instant. A friend of mine was shot in the head by accident one September and was given a nonexistent chance to survive. His family was notified as the priest prayed his last rites over his body on the hospital bed, and they struggled to swallow the fact that their son and brother was about to die. A year and a half and several surgeries later, Gip is as normal as any college student. Use this as a lesson.
- Believe in miracles. They come in all shapes and sizes and in times that you need them most. Stop thinking that things are “coincidences”, because they simply aren’t. Everything happens for a reason.
- Laugh and smile as much as you can. I read somewhere that laughing makes you live longer and strengthens your ab muscles, so never stop cracking jokes.
- Help people who are less fortunate than yourself-sometimes all it takes is a little push in the right direction. Also, don’t be stubborn enough to think that at some point, you’ll be the one in need. If someone offers do something for you, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Just know that it’s okay to do things for yourself every once in a while.
- Let your voice be heard. Live and speak with passion.
- Come to love the Lord. If you haven’t yet, don’t be afraid. I’m not going to push you because I want you to feel the Holy Spirit on your own time. And if you have, know that together, “we walk by faith-not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
- Be understanding of others. You are not perfect, and neither are they. Meet in the middle. Do not let the sun go down on your anger. “Learn this from me. Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us, but hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves.” (Mitch Albom)
- We are all interconnected. “Each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories…but the stories are all one.” (The Five People You Meet in Heaven)
- Stay true to who you are. You are more precious than you will ever know.
- Remember where you come from and what you believe in. Be proud to be your parents’ child, and keep near your heart the things that they’ve taught you.
- Find your meaning in life. Find whatever makes you happy, and never let it go.
im done.