Over the past 19 years, I have been taught and influenced by wise, intelligent people like teachers, friends, my parents and other close relatives. After reflecting on nearly two decades of life, I have realized that I have gained a decent amount of knowledge and awareness about life in general. However, I still have a long way to go on my journey and cannot wait for what's to come in the next 19 years.
1. Happiness is a choice.
Always try to find the silver lining in what may seem like a bad situation. The decision to be optimistic will positively influence both yourself and others around you.
2. Parents are almost always right.
While this isn’t always what you want to hear, your parents are the two people in this world who always have your best interest in mind. They deserve a thank you every once in awhile.
3. Uncertainty of what the future holds is normal.
Coming from someone who has changed majors four times already, not knowing what you want to major in or do with your life isn’t the end of the world. College is the perfect opportunity to explore new things and take chances.
4. Pets are better than people.
They’re a guaranteed snuggle buddy, adorable form of entertainment and definitely cuter than most people I know.
5. A small act of kindness goes a long way.
Whether it’s smiling at a stranger or holding the door open for the person behind you, people tend to pay it forward.
Regardless of the specific religion, believing in something is extremely valuable. Faith is there to both lean on in tough times and be thankful for in good ones.
7. There's a difference between dieting and a healthy lifestyle.
Four-day juice cleanses or no carb/sugar/fat diets aren’t the way to go. Be conscious and remember to eat in moderation — that slice of pizza won’t kill you.
8. Stop comparing yourself to others.
Once you stop caring about what others think and constantly trying to please everyone you will become increasingly happier, I guarantee it.
9. Forgiveness is a gift to give yourself.
Holding a grudge against someone only hurts yourself; the feelings of bitterness, frustration and anger are never worth it. Forgiveness allows you to take back control of how you feel and be happy again.
10. People matter, things don't.
Sure a high-paying job, fancy cars and nice clothes are great, but it’s relationships with others and important people in your life that makes life worth living.
11. Say yes to last-minute plans and that extra shot of vodka.
The best nights are almost always the unexpected ones. Throw on some makeup and heels, down a few shots and go make memories. You’ll (hopefully) never regret it.
12. However, find the balance between work and play.
Time management and knowing when to put in the effort are crucial lessons to learn. A college education is something to be extremely grateful for, so don’t waste it by going out every night.
13. Surround yourself with good people.
Being able to choose your friends in college is like a gift to be cherished. Be friends with people who believe in you and inspire you to be a better person.
14. Change is a good thing.
Don’t be afraid of it! Trying something new is often exciting and sometimes change is exactly what you need.
15. It hurts to be beautiful.
Just remember while tweezing your eyebrows, suffering through uncomfortable heels or doing that extra mile on the treadmill: no pain, no gain.
16. Step out of your comfort zone.
Whether it's going skydiving or asking that guy in your history class to get lunch, taking a chance and putting yourself out there creates new experiences and only gets easier.
17. Be able to laugh at yourself.
Not taking life too seriously and having a sense of humor is a valuable lesson in my book. Although tripping down the stairs or jumbling up your words during a presentation may seem embarrassing, learn to laugh it off.
18. The 5 P's (Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance).
This one’s for you Papa! This saying can be applied to anything in life and stresses the importance of scheduling and organization.
19. Nobody has it all figured out.
Making mistakes is an important part of life. What truly matters is being able to pick yourself up and see what you have accomplished.
