Take a moment to think about what you're doing right now. Are you in a rush? Trying to get somewhere? Procrastinating? Mindlessly reading this while your mind is wandering to other thoughts?
Take a breath. I'm not talking about those shallow breaths you took when your cheesy SAT prep teacher told you to take some breaths to "calm yourself" and you reluctantly complied. I'm talking about one of those deep-yoga-type of breaths that you can feel down in your core, take a couple of those.
Now that I have your attention, I have a couple of questions to ask you. Or, better yet, for you to ask yourself on a daily basis. Our generation lives in a ridiculously fast-paced world consistently focusing on what is happening next. We exhaust the majority of our energy worrying about the next big thing, picking sides and dispositions on people we have never met in our life. We are more focused on getting the perfect "gram" of our experiences rather than actually stopping to think about where we actually are. We live in a world full of notifications, follower ratios, social cues, etc. And oh, did you hear that so and so liked so and so's picture?
Have you ever stopped to think about what's actually happening around you? No, not the Instagram or "Summer 16" Facebook album of yourself. Your actual world: the pits and peeks. Ask yourself these questions and remember these statements.
1. Who do you want to be remembered as?
Are you the person you want people to remember you as? Do you want to be remembered for your perfect social media profiles or for the presence you gave to people? Start making conscious steps every day to build yourself to be the person who you want to be known as. Utilize people around you who exemplify these qualities and use them as an example.
2. The people you surround yourself with are a reflection of yourself.
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, "We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with." The people you attract in life reflect how you portray yourself to others. Does each and every individual in your life make you a better version of yourself? You should be surrounding yourself with people who make you an inspired, happier version of yourself. Is there anyone in your life who fails to make you happy? If your answer is yes, then find out why that is. A relationship that troubles you, whether it is platonic or romantic, is a relationship that is not worth keeping. Never excuse friendships out of convenience or if they do not bring out the best qualities of yourself.
3. Are you treating others the way you want to be treated?
A simple preschool lesson that so many people have failed to remember. Do not treat someone with disrespect and expect to get respect back. There is no reason in this world to not be a kind, gracious person to people who deserve it. Do not treat someone with disrespect until they have given you a reason not to. This world is currently bringing forth so much negativity, do your part to be one of the better people.
4. What have you failed at?
Recognize and acknowledge your failures. The first step to growth is recognizing what you have failed at and why. Was it a personal flaw? Or something that you just didn't enjoy? Once you have identified these aspects, find the positivity in them. How did this help you grow? Did it lead you to something new? Your failures do not define you, but rather help you recognize the defining characteristics of yourself.
5. Find a passion.
I wholeheartedly believe that there is a passion for everyone in this world. For some people it could be something as obscure as beekeeping or collecting mugs, for others it could a sport or painting. No matter what your passion is, focus on it and don't ever let it go from your life. Try your absolute hardest to keep your passion always relevant in your life. A life without a passion and purpose is not a fulfilling life.
6. If the world were to end tomorrow, would you be completely satisfied with the life you have lived?
Probably the most cliche of all the questions, but probably the most important. In your life thus far, have you accomplished everything that you were capable of? Are you satisfied with the person you are today? If you have any things that you still want to accomplish, then go out and do them. The only failure in life is the failure to not try.
