05.01.05 | 1:31 PM
1. Not everyone is going to like you, and that's okay! If everyone liked everyone, there really wouldn't be such a thing as friendship. I'd take friendship over everyone liking me any day because I have the best friends in the entire world.
2. Love and accept your family because they are the only one you got. Sure, very few families are ideal and none are perfect. There is usually something good about each family. Look really hard when you feel like you hate your family and you will usually see why you can't live without them.
3. Never accept anything less than the best. Whether it is in love or at work or in your education or friendship, never settle. Always go for the ultimate because you deserve the very best life has to offer.
4. If you don't like something at first, stick with it before you quit. There are times that you will come to love something that you first hate. It just takes a little patience and an open mind to see that there is a chance that this could be just what you are looking for.
5. Always tell the truth. It doesn't matter what the circumstances, the truth is always the best. It may spare someone's feelings to lie sometimes, but what happens when they find out the truth? That hurts a lot more. I hate to be lied to, so I will try to never lie to you.
6. Allow yourself to be a little naughty sometimes. Go for that extra cookie. Kiss the occasional boy. Stay up late or go out on a school night. Time goes by so fast and we can never get those minutes back.
7. Continue to show up for those that you love and that love you. By just showing up for someone, you are speaking volumes. To show up is to show that you care, and sometimes, that is all a person needs to have in order to have a better day.
8. Say "I love you" when you mean it and don't hesitate to say it when it is meant. Life is a short journey in our spiritual travels, so it is important that we tell those that we love that they are loved as much as possible while we are still together on Earth.
9. Smile. Even if you are in a bad mood, a smile can turn that all around. And if you see someone on the street who isn't having a good day, look them in the eye and smile. That may make all the difference to a stranger.
10. Open your eyes when you are kissing the one that you love from time to time. It gives you an entirely different outlook on romance and it also makes you realize how much you love him. If you can stare into someone's eyes as you kiss him, you will get the most amazing rush.
11. Always try to smell pretty and wear clean socks. There is nothing worse than someone who doesn't smell nice, and I hate guys with dirty socks. These two things are very universal and transcend race, age, sexual orientation, and gender. Seriously.
12. Pray. When everything has gone horribly wrong and you feel like you are going to breakdown, talk to God. And when everything is wonderful and your heart is on fire in amazement, talk to God. He is there for you in the good and the bad. Make sure to thank Him from time to time because even He likes to hear it.
13. Don't be afraid to flaunt your talents. There is always going to be someone is better at something than you and there is always going to be someone is worse than you at the same thing. Allow others to see your level of expertise and be proud of yourself. If you are willing to work hard at something you love, then you should allow others to see your skills.
14. It's okay to act silly. Whether it is singing at the top of your lungs to a favorite song at a stoplight or wearing a crazy hat that you just love or telling random people on the street that God loves them, acting silly makes your heart younger. When you are feeling old, let yourself slip back into that time when everything is carefree. It's contagious.
15. Get an education. It doesn't matter how you go about it, but try to learn as much as you can. If that means college or on-the-job training or technical school, then work hard at it. Just get an education because it will always pay off in the end. It will take you to new highs that you once only dreamed of, and that is amazing in and of itself.
16. Dream big. Continue to set goals for yourself every day because there is always something else to be achieved. They can be as big or as small as you want them to be, but always strive to reach your goals. Aspire to dream, and you will live.
17. Sometimes you have to just let go. Moving on from the past (especially loves) is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Yet, it is also one of the most rewarding. Forgive but never forget, is my best advice. Always remember but also never hold onto it for too long. Just let go.
18. Sarcasm isn't necessarily a bad thing. You can always find a way to break the ice if you are extremely sarcastic like me. It's a way to put people at ease through dry humor. Just be careful to not let it dip into cynacism or pessimism. That's just foolish.
19. Like what you like, whether it's cool or not. It may not be cool that I love Mandy Moore and actually enjoy watching old reruns of "Boy Meets World," but it's what I love. I don't care if no one else in the world is into what I am into because then it just makes me unique. If I am passionate about something, then that's all I need. Don't like something just because others do; like it because it's lovable.
20. Remember and cherish because time passes so quickly. Friends move away. Your family passes away and changes with the times. Neighborhoods change. Towns grow. Memories are forever. Spend every moment living how you want to remember it as well as you want others to remember it. Don't have any regrets. Live life to its fullest because it's worth it. Life is beautiful.