Life is short. I'm sure there are a million things elders look back on and wish they would have done. Before your life gets to that point, you need to live, and you need to live the greatest life possible.

1. Laugh until you cry, and cry until you laugh.

These two actions happen to be on the total opposite ends of the spectrum of emotion but seamlessly collide. These experiences make us realize how every sad moment can be happy and every happy moment can be sad. Sadness and happiness are close relatives as one always greet the other on the end of its journey. We should be grateful for each moment with either emotion because they are truly the key to growing as a human being.

2. Take a chance.

As simple as this sounds, you would be surprised how many people live their lives alive, but never living. It is okay to take a chance because failure is expected of us, only when we succeed do we shock the flock. If those that surround you tear you down when you fail instead of building you up, their opinions shouldn’t affect you because their need to put others down speaks more about their character than your failure will ever say of your own. When you carry on after your failures, you will show that your strength is pure and not a facade created to hide your own insecurities like those that attempted to hold you back.

3. Volunteer.

I am sure many of you have donated blood and/or donated goods to a can drive or homeless shelter. Not to discount either of these because they are truly honorable, but the type of volunteering I am referring to is interactive. Visiting a local animal shelter, childrens hospital, or even a homeless shelter. Hear other people’s stories; connect with other beings. We as humans thrive off of helping others in need, and in turn we also realize that those we are suppose to be helping can teach us more than we could ever teach or help them.

4. Go on a vacation alone.

Experience serenity for yourself. Whether you go camping up north or visit downtown. Go someone that makes you feel at ease and lavish in it, alone. Experiencing things with others is a remarkable feeling and very important but if you forget to connect with your own self then you risk losing the person you are. Figure out what about your vacation spot gives you comfort and why. All of the answers you stumble upon on will allow you to reconnect with who you are and what you love.

5. Own a pet.

Know the unconditional love an animal. Too often is the affection of an animal underrated. A pet would do anything and be anything for its owner. They will love and protect you at all costs. A person will never experience a humanly affection compared to that of their own animal. Whether it be a parakeet, bunny, ferret, dog cat, etc., get a pet.

6. Keep a drawer of memories.

A very important part of life is looking back and seeing how far you've come. It is a very satisfactory moment as well reminiscent. I recommend keeping a memory box that allows you to physically be able to see how far you have come and appreciate great moments of the past. As you go through old notes and pictures the sense of nostalgia you experience will also be accompanied by gratitude of the person you can and are becoming.

7. Pray.

Say a prayer. I know to some people asking a God you don’t even know is there to help you in your daily life may seem a little redundant. But you’ll never know until you try. I would always recommend having a spiritual connection with a higher power. I personally am a christian but would never shove my religion down others throats, I just simply recommend trying to pray, it could never hurt to try.

8. Love someone else.

Find another person to love. Impact another human being with true kindness and caring without expecting the same in return. Love isn’t necessarily something that needs to be returned. Whether it be your spouse, grandmother, parent, sibling, friend or even stranger; find a person, and unconditionally love them. You will make an impact on their life whether it seems to be appreciated or not. Loving someone else is never about what you will get out of it but simply what you can give to others.

9. Love yourself.

In order to love anyone else you must first love yourself. I know it tends to be hard to see past humanly flawed imperfections. But it is natural. Ill let you in on a secret: every person messes up. Don't see your past a fear the future, see your past, learn and prepare to grow in the future. It is never too late to start over. So if you struggle with loving who you are i recommend starting fresh and figuring out who you want to become, how to become that person, and then finally becoming the person who you were meant to be.

10. Be able to say, and mean, " I am truly happy".

Happiness is so rare in a world full of destruction, death, and chaos. I have always believed happiness is based on perspective and certain experiences and events tend to cause us to lose sight of our paths. But never be afraid to smile on the darkest of days because you know only rainbows come after rain. Happiness is a choice, and it’s simply the hardest choice we will ever have to choose because it sometimes causes us to face and conquer past and present demons. I pray you have the courage to do so. I hope at least once in your life you can truly be happy, if only for a moment.

So please find the joy in sadness and the sadness and joy. Leap at opportunity and seize the day. Lend a helping hand and experience this world on your own. Experience the love of an animal, and dive into who you once were. Say a prayer. Love another person as well as you possibly can, then turn around and love yourself just as well. And if only for one day, please find happiness and greet it with open arms. This life is a give and take experience. The amount of knowledge and beauty this world shares with us should be equal to that of the impact we leave on the world.