1. Your family is your backbone.

We are one of the largest, most tight-knit families I have ever encountered. We have policemen, IT guys, engineers, doctors, teachers, stock brokers, nurses, accountants, lawyers, bankers, salesmen, contractors, television producers, human resources managers, and a lot more, so if you have ANY questions, there will be at least one person who can give you an answer. And if we start pushing you to become a cosmetologist or a plumber, it's not because we don't support your dreams. It's simply that we desperately need those in the family. On a more serious note, we will always be here so don't be afraid of anything or anyone. Make time and value your family. They'll be here when no one else is.

2. Surround yourself with better, smarter, more successful people.

As humans, we tend to play to the level of our competition. Typically, when someone is in an environment where they are surrounded by motivated, smart, successful people, they will do anything to show they belong. The opposite is also true. We want to fit in. We want to belong. And that is okay. With that said, surround yourself with people who you desire to be like. The people you ARE like are okay to have around also, but this will not push you. You will grow when you are pushed.

3. Pay for experiences, not things.

A $4,000 purse can't teach you anything. A trip to somewhere and doing cool things while you're there is probably less than $4,000 and will bring you more happiness. I promise. There was a time when I had $3 in my bank account and a $20 bill in my wallet. (College... you'll go through it too.) I went to a park and came across a homeless man. I spent my $20 on a meal for him and I, and we sat and talked. I got more out of that conversation than I would've gotten from another meal for myself or a t-shirt or whatever else I would've spent that on. Point is, learn that life is not about things. It is about people. We are all people just trying to be happy. CEOs and homeless men deserve the same respect and the same listening ear. Be the person who gives that to both of them and you will find happiness.

4. Listen to the advice of more experienced individuals.

From experience, I know that people do not like constructive criticism or advice when it is not asked for. I think I was about 10-years-old when my sister told me to "shut up and listen". I told her I was listening and she said "no, you're hearing, not listening. If you want to be like them, listen to what these people have to say and copy it". I hate to say it, but she was right. They have been where you are and a million other places. Listen to them. Really comprehend what they're saying and if you don't, ask questions.

5. Have a pet.

It will teach you responsibility. It will give you someone to talk to when you need someone to just listen and not say anything (because finding a human who will just listen is sometimes very difficult). They are the best example of unconditional love and you can learn a lot from them if you open your mind to it.

6. Live in moderation.

Eat fruit and eat cookies. Workout and take naps. Do everything that you want to do but don't over-do or under-do anything. That's when problems start happening.

7. Learn to enjoy every little thing.

This is harder said than done. The simplest things in life are often the hardest. As humans, we overthink and over-analyze and it tends to screw us up. Learn to take a second. Really see what's going on around you. Pay attention. Make eye contact. ACTUALLY smell the flowers. Watch the happiness overwhelm the people around you when they do something they love or talk about something that excites them. Remember it and let it take over for a moment.

8. Do what makes you happy and money will follow.

People have made millions off of doing nearly nothing. Do not worry about money. If you love something so much that it scares you, do it. Do it until you're blue in the face. Do it until someone has to pay you for it.

9. Success is teamwork.

Bringing others down will never help you. The only way to succeed is to give credit where it's due, uplift others, and lend a helping hand whenever you can. We live in a rough world, especially now. People will remember your kindness and good things will happen to you because of it. Success comes to people who are trustworthy, helpful, nice, wonderful people. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule but bank on the fact that you are not the exception. (Plus, I don't want anyone thinking my kid is a bully... so be nice.)

10. Keep your mind open.

Everyone has different ideas and that is because we've all taken a different path. Some of us have had very difficult lives. Some of us have had easy lives. Either way, all of us have endured pain and enjoyed happiness. You can relate to everyone in some way. Listen to why someone believes what they do. It is okay for them to believe that. Even tell them "I see where you're coming from, but I see it like this ... because I went through this...". The more you relate to each other, the less it is an argument and the more it becomes an educational conversation. THIS.IS.VERY.IMPORTANT.

11. Understand how hard simplicity really is.

Like I said before, simple things are the hardest. Saying "I love you" can be very hard. It's simple, yet we make it complicated. Keeping eye contact for 45 seconds sounds simple but many find it hard (even me), because we feel like we're letting someone in and that can be very scary. Once you tackle the simple things, everything else seems easy.

12. Take care of yourself in every way, as much as possible.

Get massages, do your makeup, buy a new outfit, go for a run, make a healthy choice. Pamper yourself. The more you feel like you love yourself, the easier it will be for you to show love to others.

13. Be your own advocate.

I cannot tell you how many times I have been misdiagnosed by doctors. A lot of doctors haven't even tried to help me because I wasn't easy to diagnose. A lot of people in general won't help me because whatever it is that I need, isn't convenient or easy for them. Be there for yourself. Start doing research. Count on yourself, not others, to get whatever you need done.

14. Organize your coupons.

Sounds simple but it's not. Get a filing system and go through them every few weeks. Make sure you throw out the expired ones. Coupons will save your life (and bank account) and you should have an easy method of locating which ones you need.

15. Be the listening ear that everyone needs.

People will tell you that everyone wants two things: to love and be loved. I will tell you that there is a third. Everyone wants someone to listen to them. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has had their heart broken or has had something happen to them that completely changed them forever. The more you listen to others, the more understanding you will be and the easier life will be for you. If you can understand why someone hurt you, it gives you more power to forgive them. But sometimes other people can't explain themselves, so you'll have to explain it to yourself for your own sake. (And despite popular opinion, it does not boil down to "he's a jerk" or "she's just stupid".)

16. Forgive others, even if you don't think they deserve it.

For me, forgiveness never had to do with the other person. They could be sorry or not be sorry. Typically, I chose to forgive them before they even knew they hurt me. It was not because I was a push-over or even because I'm a Christian. In fact, many of the people I have forgiven, I have cut out of my life. If you do not forgive others, you will hold grudges. And I know some people think it's funny to joke about grudges, but that negative energy can really impact you in ways you won't see coming. Grudges hold a power over you. The only way to gain some control back is to forgive them. Remember what they did and why. Decide if you think they are really sorry. Take the situation into consideration. But ALWAYS forgive. You don't want to live your life chained down by grudges and anger. It will only hold you back.

17. Learn how to be a good friend.

Understand what loyalty really is. Sometimes loyalty is "snitching" (if snitching means getting them help for a very serious problem). Know that you will never be more beautiful than when you are 100% focused on another human being. The moments when you are 100% dedicated to someone else are the moments that people fall in love with you. People see the beauty in those who are selfless enough to let go of themselves long enough to help someone else. It does not go unnoticed.

18. Change is the only path to growth.

Routine feels good. If you're my child, you will see how much I love it. I take the same route everywhere. I will skip shortcuts just to go the way I know. But even I push myself for change because I know it's the only way to grow. I moved across the country for college, I changed the organizations I was involved in, I changed my major, I changed the people I wanted around me, etc. If I can teach you anything about change, I want you to know that change is scary. But facing that fear is the only way to get rid of it. It will make your life a lot easier if you learn this early on.

19. If you're a girl, paint your toe nails.

You might not want to but I promise you that if they aren't painted, you will look down at your feet and immediately say "ew, gross". And so will I. So paint them, or I will when you fall asleep.

20. Celebrate your failures.

This one sounds odd, I know. But the only real failure is not trying. I would rather see you go for something will all you have and it not work out than you sitting around saying "wow, I wish I would've tried doing that". Every failure will teach you something that gets you closer to success. Failure is a GOOD thing. (Unless we're talking failing tests, then we're going to talk.)

21. Do whatever you want but do it well.

I don't care WHAT you want to do. All I care is that you put everything you have into it. Learn all of the information you possibly can about it and start practicing. Watch videos, read books, find forums to talk about it, take a class. Do whatever you need to do.

22. Know how to give your opinion.

The only way people will listen to you is if they want to. Keep the garbage out of your speech. Don't cuss, don't call names, and don't say that someone is stupid for thinking something different than you. What are you REALLY trying to say? For example: saying "I hate you" means nothing, honestly. It means "I have a lot of negative feelings towards you". Which is a step towards telling them what you actually mean but it is pretty irrelevant so you might as well skip to something like "I am really sad and hurt because you said that XYZ" or "because you did XYZ and it felt to me like you did not care about my feelings". That will get you 100x further than saying "I hate you". Learn to communicate. If someone isn't smart, explain everything to them (don't be condescending, just be simple in your language and thought process). If they're a very careless person, play into that. If they're very sensitive, be a little more cautious. The way that you give your opinion should change based on whatever situation you're in. Make your message fit the receiver.

23. Take risks.

Tell your crush you like them. Try something new. Talk about your feelings openly and honestly. Take a really hard class. Go on an unplanned trip. Go on a date with someone who isn't your type. Let life teach you things. Don't be afraid of learning from experience. Be smart but branch out.

24. Learn how to talk about your feelings.

If you're anything like I am, then you are terrible about talking about your feelings. You would rather focus on everyone else's problems so that you don't have to talk about yours. But not talking about your feelings can be detrimental. Bottling things up will only make you explode later. People won't be able to understand why you do the things you do and it will really upset the people you love. Let others in. Let others care about you. Let them hear about what hurts you. It's okay.

25. Know how to protect yourself.

Be aware of your surroundings. You should know what the person behind you is wearing, what the person next to you looks like, and what the person in front of you sounds like. Always pay attention. I'll teach you the little things (like clenching your purse to your body, throwing it if someone tries to steal it from you so that you can run, where to hit someone to defend yourself, etc.) But make sure you know all of it and make sure you can use it if it ever comes down to it.