I really hate the fact that hindsight is actually 20/20. There are things which I respect having to go through the experience of them rather than hearing about what I should have done --or should do.

I get that.

It's not great, but it's not the worst thing.

Specifically, when I was in high school, and even sometimes now, I wish that I would have been given the candid advice from others' mistakes. And honestly, this is more so with relationships, friendships, etc.

From my perspective, I wish that I would have been able to know the difference between falling for flattery and infatuation versus falling for genuine intentions. The discernment of something superficial goes beyond romantic relationships. It gives us an understanding of our own superficial infatuations when we aren't falling for someone else's infatuation of ourselves.

Likewise, character and integrity are not defined by what people say about us, nor are they defined by how we describe ourselves. It is impossible to fall for words without an honest action behind them.Character and integrity are defined by what we do --not what we say.

Yes, we should keep our word, but it would have saved me a lot of heartbreak if I would have respected that with promises must come intended action.

I wish that I would have let a lot of people go sooner if I would have fully understood and took heed of that advice. That's just how people work. And it's okay to let go of peoples' hands when they are no longer uplifting to your spirit.

And it's okay to grieve that loss --even if it was a toxic, messy situation.

It's the art of losing things that I wish I would have respected more, and still wish that I would respect this more now.

On another note, the same goes for individuals who do not support you, challenge you to grow or love you when you need it the most, are the exact people who are okay to let go of. There are sometimes when you need to be selfish, and there is no rule against that.

And with that, stop making excuses for people who do not deserve it. It is very important to give allowances because we cannot expect people to not disappoint us. That's infallible. However, that does not mean that we have to stick around for repeat mistakes from people who hear what we are saying but fail to actually listen.

People who love and care about you will also care enough to respect your needs, wants, and worries. Those are the individuals to hang onto.

Above all, do not betray your morals and beliefs for the interest of another. Someone who truly cares about you will respect you for you.

And you should be enough for that.