1. People are going to have different beliefs and opinions than you are. Don’t let that stop you from getting to know them.

Others will always have differing opinions and beliefs. That does not make them bad people necessarily. Take the time to get to know them before you judge.

2. Forgiveness is one of our most important abilities. Utilize it.

People make mistakes, and so do you. It is just as crucial to forgive yourself as it is to forgive others. Life’s too short not to let it go.

3. Being happy alone is the key to being happy with someone else.

You’ll never put your own happiness first if you are always fearing being alone. Instead, learn what makes you happy. Then you can focus on being happy with someone else.

4. Meditation is a game-changer.

Even if it’s just a quiet moment to yourself, it is a blessing to be able to sit with your own thoughts. It has helped to center my mind and keep me focused in times of stress or frustration.

5. Everyone is just looking for a purpose.

No matter what, others are struggling looking for purpose too. It may seem like you are the only one with your problems, but there are others who feel the same way. You are not alone.

6. You’ll never regret saying “thank you.”

Politeness is the best quality. “Please” and “thank you” can get you a long way – don’t take it for granted.

7. Comparing yourself to others will always end in disappointment.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, it is much more satisfying and self-motivating to compare you to yourself. Are you a better person than you were yesterday?

8. Find what motivates you.

Motivation is hard to come by these days. When you find something that motivates you and makes you look toward the future, don’t give it up.

9. Never stop growing.

Falling to complacency can be detrimental. Instead, always continue to strive to learn and grow, even in small ways. Taking an online course or learning a new skill in your free time can go a long way.

10. Failure has a bad rep.

Failure has always had a negative connotation, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The important part is how you react to failure: are you ashamed, or do you let it motivate you?

11. Learning how to cook is more important than people realize.

Fast food and take out get exhausting. Learning how to cook a quick meal at home can be your best friend after a long day.

12. Always have a backup plan.

Shoot for your dreams. Take risks, especially while we are young. But always have a backup strategy. That way, if you find that you don’t like what you’re doing, or plans fall through, you always have something else to back you up. And then, if your dream stops serving you, you get to look for another one!

13. Make time for the people who are important to you.

I get it, free time is not abundant these days. It can often be hard to find the time to hang out with friends, or call your mom. That is why it is even more important now to make the time for the people who are most important to you. Don’t let them fall through the cracks.

14. It’s okay not to listen to everyone’s advice.

There will be times where people will give you too much advice. You don’t have to follow all of it.

15. Give yourself a break.

At a time where it is so easy to get stressed and overwhelmed, it’s super important to give yourself a break every once in a while. Whether it’s taking a bath, going to a movie, or just watching an episode of your favorite show, unwinding is really refreshing and can be the key to success.

16. Nothing is permanent.

Life is hard. Sometimes you’ll get yourself into a situation that you feel might never end; It will. The sun always comes out behind the clouds, but you may have to deal with a little bit of rain in the meantime.

17. Don’t underestimate yourself.

You can do a lot more than you think you can. Keep trying, it’ll be worth it.

18. Courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage and fearlessness are two different things. To be fearless is to live without being scared, courage is to persist despite it. You don’t have to be fearless, you just have to continue working toward the future despite being afraid of it.

19. Listening is 100 times more powerful than advice.

You don’t always have to fix everyone’s problems. Sometimes, it’s better to sit with someone, to listen, and to allow them to feel heard and validated. That is the key to friendship.

20. Confidence is powerful

There’s nothing better than showing how confident you are. It looks great in a first impression! You deserve to feel your best.