We go through life always looking at the next step; we humans are naturally goal-oriented and strive to chase dreams and there really is nothing wrong with it. In actuality, it's an ethereal thing to be able to fantasize about possibilities and be able to hope for the best outcomes in life. We don't survive by instinct, we live by choices and chances. But sometimes, we get so caught up in what could happen, that we forget what is happening.
Everyone has heard the saying "stop and smell the roses" and sometimes we do stop and realize how beautiful the moment is, but generally, we only take in a moment and forget to take in the time. We only get so many years in our lifetime and although time is a social construct, we will never get these moments back. Hopefully we all live long and healthy lives, but we will never be in perfect health and harmony. We need to remember to take in the days, the years, and the all the moments. We need to love the good and the bad because in the end, these are the things that are going to define us as people. It is so easy to get caught up in all the stresses and bad times, and allow these foolish things to override the good. We forget to recognize that the positives in life are what we should focus on. It's so easy to allow all the negatives to fill your mind and focus, which ultimately can deflect happiness.
You could be dealing with bullies at school, trying to get your crush's attention, attempting to pass a test, pursuing a job position, or even just trying to conquer life day by day, but we all deal with our own troubles that not everyone is going to understand. Each person in this world deals with their own issues in their own ways aiming to make the right decision. We should never judge others and we shouldn't judge ourselves so harshly. It is impossible to always make the right decision, but if you tried your hardest after thinking over what could happen carefully, there is no shame in the execution. Nothing in life is absolutely guaranteed; we can plan and work hard towards a goal, but there is just no promise that everything will turn out exactly the way it is supposed to be from the start. There is no reason to be so hard on ourselves so stop beating yourself up and focus on the fact that you tried.
It's important to live graciously and with purpose. Never let your dreams die and never doubt your ability to reach the finish line. If you work hard enough, never be disappointed in yourself if another runner just so happens to pass you at the last second to take first. You can not control everything and everyone, but congratulate yourself for your noble effort. We are so quick to be hard on ourselves for not succeeding, but how disappointing can it be when we know that we are capable of finishing. The universe doesn't always work in our favor and sometimes, some people are just better equipped to fill a position, but that does not define the type of person you are. The time you take to achieve a goal and the energy you exert in the process is what you should be proud.
To live a fulfilled life, we must always look at the big picture; if we focus on all the little mistakes and mishaps, we forget to recognize the beauty and the uniqueness. We only get one chance to paint our life, we aren't able to erase, paint over, or dispose of the canvas; what we make is what we get. Although not all of us are completely satisfied with the final product, we must notice the time and effort we put into the masterpiece. Not every line, color, or image is going to be perfect, but it is important to recognize that you tried. We aren't all Picasso's or Monet's, but we are humans that are just trying our best to be happy. So don't just take a moment, but soak in life as you know it right now because you won't have this time forever. Someday you are going to look back and recognize that life throws a lot your way, but in the end, you lived through a lot and have great stories to tell.
