In the bitter-sweetness of life...

In the bitter-sweetness of life...

Be thankful for friends, but be your own biggest motivator.
Find peace in hardships and blessings in happiness.
See the world for what it is, but be optimistic in life.
Guard your heart, but don't be afraid to love.

Believe the boy when he says you are too good, and make sure he always remembers that.
Remember that, sometimes, pride will be the most important thing you have.
And other times, humility will be the most virtuous attribute.
Be a fearless leader, and know that the best leaders are also great followers.

Know what your own beliefs are, and stand firm in them.
Don't let others look down on you, and make sure you are not looking down on them.
Learn to laugh at yourself and correct your mistakes. Take time to breathe, think, and relax.
Remind yourselves that people are only mean because they are trying to cover hurt.

Take time to pray for those who bring you down, and try your best to lift them up.
Always eat dessert, and treat yourself every now and then.
Splurge on something expensive, but know the importance of saving.
Tell the people you love how you feel, and keep it to yourself when you feel the opposite.

Know that, in order to make someone else happy, you have to first be happy yourself.
Understand that true forgiveness doesn't require an apology, but realize the impact of a sincere apology.
Surround yourself with people you love, and spend plenty of time alone.
Be aware that loss is inevitable, and how you grieve is what will make the difference.

Be grateful for a God who is bigger than us, who loves us, who likes us.
Do what you love, and don't settle for what you can live with.
Take time to be a part of something that is different than you are. Let your mind wander and grow.
Smile. Eat cake. Appreciate the little things, but remember it's the big things that count.

Life and the ocean.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve become unavoidably aware of how much my life has changed, I’ve changed, over the past year, and how, for the first time, I don’t have any idea what to expect for my future. As I stood on the beach, staring out into the ocean and thinking about how much I have ahead of me, I let the tide wash over me and realized something.

The ocean, in all its vastness, can be lonesome and depressing, or it can be encouraging and promising. Life is just the same.

Life, just like the ocean, is always changing. It’s always moving on; no second the same as the last.

Life, just like the ocean, is often scary and dangerous; widely unpredictable, and sometimes it’s easier to just stand back and admire it from a distance than to jump in and brave the waters.

Life, just like the ocean, is often missed and taken for granted- often because we are too scared to jump in and enjoy it.

Life, just like the ocean, can be refreshing. Maybe sometimes you don’t want to take part in what it offers, but sometimes, there’s nothing more you want than to be a part of what it’s giving you. 

Life, just like the ocean, can hurt you. You can get lost in it. It seems impossible to see through to the other side, but just as often as you get lost in it, it will carry you back to where you are supposed to be.

Life, just like the ocean, should be taken as it is. It won’t ever be perfect. It will be too harsh or too calm, but we have to appreciate it for what it is in this moment.

Life, just like the ocean, will knock you over if you’re not standing firm, and sometimes, even if you are standing firm. You just have to find your feet and stand up again.

Life, just like the ocean, is much more enjoyable when you allow others to take part with you.

Life, just like the ocean, is full of ups and downs. Find a way to stay afloat, and try not to get in too deep.