Sometimes an epiphany has an everlasting effect on your life and your livelihood. But what really makes us who we are? Is it the things we love? Or those we hate? The things we do? The people we meet? Or maybe we are just a combination of the elements we allow to compose us.
1. Every Moment Actually Matters...
It may not be something we think about, or even want to drive our thoughts into—but just as every moment has an end, so does every life. Though it may seem like we are effortlessly invincible, inevitably alive and well, we are very much breakable. We may not appreciate it, acknowledge it, or even sense it in the depth of our souls— but we are living just as much as we are dying—the synchronized cycle of life and death. So, every moment actually does matter. Whether you’re reading a novel by the ocean, baking cookies with your Mother in a tiny kitchen, or traveling the world with your best friend—you are alive. Spend time with your parents, grandparents, friends, cousins, brothers, sisters—everyone who means anything to you—because unfortunately love does not grant us immortality. Our emotions, passions, desires, and memories are timeless—but we aren’t. And though it may seem cliché, years from now when we grow older and our lives puzzles have nearly been deciphered... we're gonna wish noticed the limitations of time and just how sacred it is.
2. Your past will hurt you as long as you refuse to claim the present.
Memories, people live with them and die for them. But, we are not slaves to our memories, nor are we defined by what has happened to us. Though there are experiences that can quite literally feel like they are corrupting the most innocent senses of your spirit, turning your heart inside out, and redefining everything you ever thought you knew—they are not. You are more, more than your tragedies, mistakes and experiences. You are the ringleader of your life and though there are an infinite number of circumstances that are out of our control—we will not let them render us powerless.
3. It is all about perspective.
The way we look at things and the associations we attribute to them, matters more than we take the time to recognize. Sometimes, just finding a new angle changes the shape of your world entirely. There are innumerable conditions in life that we simply cannot change, we can allow them to shape us, corrupt us, or even become us—or we can just look at them differently. I've learned that adopting as many perspectives as you can and analyzing life from every possible wavelength—will be your wisdom and your strength. Considering unfamiliar views of the world may actually even change your horizons for the better.
4. It is what it is and it is all what it's supposed to be.
Take chances, be bold, daring and optimistic. Put yourself in situations that make you feel uncomfortable and force yourself to grow. Trust in the timing of your life, have faith in the belief that there is some connection between the past, present, and future. We are driven by intrinsic passionate-energy, just let that energy become you. One day, years or even decades from now, we will all live different lives; lives derived from the very same route we are on right now. But the thing is, we will never get there if we stop taking chances now. We will never reach our life's potential if we turn around and assume the entire future is bogus. Things will happen, in time, change is always inevitable. Just take a look at your life, do you recognize it?
5. It isn't how you feel about a person, it's how they make you feel about yourself.
Do not spend your time with people who lower your self-worth, determine your position beneath them, or make you believe your current state of growth is unchangeable or obsolete. There are a mass of people in this world who feed off the negativity they put out. Don't let their energy consume you. The true measure of a person's character is not how you feel about them, it is how they make you feel about yourself. Surround yourself with people who make you feel like you matter, who show you your own value. The right people will not only make you feel like you can be someone, but they will show you just how wonderful that someone is. Stop diluting the pureness of your personality with alterations and filters that others set. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable with who you are that is their problem, not yours. Don't sacrifice yourself for the likes of other people. If you do, you may find you no longer like yourself.
6. If everyone were perfect individuality would be extinct.
7. We are not here to judge.
Everyone has a story, everyone has a past, and some of us aren't lucky enough to call every moment of it beautiful. We cannot judge someone when we have no idea what they have experienced, we likely couldn't even imagine enduring their hardships. But rather than supporting one another we have a tendency to critique and devalue the lives of others. We need to empathize with each other, empower one another, and respect the true value of all that has made us who we've become. This world has been infested with ideals that have jaded the beauty of life. We have allowed racism, prejudice, hate, and war preside over love and humility. Our outward appearances will never define who we are or what we believe, yet somehow others use them to do just that. No matter who you are, what you do, who you love, where you come from, your race, religion, orientation or gender: We are all people who deserve to be treated equally. This society has become a biased weapon and the people in it are the one's holding the knife, while at the same time, being cut by it. When we take power away from these toxic social constructions, we put beauty back into life. We are the antidote for change
.8. Be confident in who you are.
Do not question yourself, question everything around you instead. Sometimes, we are surrounded by negative energy and we may not even realize it. We get sucked into an endless cycle of negativity and self-hate. We allow society to determine who we are, who we are supposed to be, and even what makes us beautiful—no one social construction should have that much power. Find yourself and be that person, and if you find that you're someone you do not like, change.
9. Have trust within yourself.
Have faith in the timing of your life, trust the motion of your soul's very own ocean. Things come your way at the speed and direction they are supposed to, just let it be. Be who you are and do what makes YOU feel beautiful, confident, and essentially happy. Do not let anyone stop you from being yourself, trust the way you feel about yourself and your own self-definition before you let others define you.
10. Find your Purpose.
What's your purpose for living? What drives the fire at your core? Find what you're made of, be the orbit to your life's intrinsic pull. You are here for a reason, surrender to your inner-voice, let your passions guide you to the truth of your existence. There is purpose within your soul, find it, and never ever let it go
.11. Find something to love.
No matter what situation you are in, physically, spiritually, or emotionally find your LIGHT. Find something to love, if not someone to love. There is always something to appreciate about life, don't let pessimistic ignorance inhibit your recognition of that. Appreciate those you love, those who love you, and if you come to a place where you feel like there's nothing worth loving—remember that YOU are worth loving.
12. Life is unpredictable, tragic, and at times ruthless but nonetheless it's meaningful.
13. We are only human.
