It seems that everything comes in a list format nowadays. “Wash, Rinse and Repeat” or “Open Box, Remove Contents, Try and Assemble." Maybe it is because when we see things in a list format our brain interprets them as a set of instructions – rules that must be followed.

The proliferation of articles about happiness as of late has been astonishing. Everybody is coming up with the magic formula for finding happiness. I don’t know about you, but I need to keep things simple and in perspective at all times.

My perspective on what living life to the fullest actually is: waking up on a Monday morning with no complaints because Friday will come as soon as you know it. It's knowing you always deserve to laugh. It's doing what's right even if, in the end, it might be wrong. It's doing whatever you want to do, even if you look like a dork doing so. It's the little things that can make people smile and fill your heart with greater joy. It's about being yourself because no one can tell you, you're doing it wrong.

As humans, we are really good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. Every day we have a certain schedule we have to stay on, tasks we have to accomplish and people to please. What if one day we just stopped and cared about what we want? I know, it's not that simple, but there is always that "what if." Do more than just exist. I came up with 12 things to remind myself daily of who I want to be as a person, whether that is being a role model, a good friend, or the person my parents raised me to be and they help me live my life to the fullest.

1. The past cannot be changed.

2. Opinions don't define your reality.

3. Everyone's journey is different.

4. Things always get better with time.

5. Judgements are a confession of character.

6. Overthinking will lead to sadness.

7. Happiness is found within.

8. Positive thoughts create positive things.

9. Smiles are contagious.

10. Kindness is free.

11. You only fail if you quit.

12. What goes around, comes around.

Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and the awful, it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That's just living, heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it's breathtakingly beautiful.

All I am trying to say is, if you want the person, go get them. You're not sure if you should eat the greasy burger? Do it anyways. It's a school night and you're friends are going out, go with them. Your next decision could change your life forever. Good or bad, at least you can say you tried it. You're not going to master the rest of your life in one day. Just relax. Master the day. Then just keep doing that every day.

"To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out to another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self. To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing." -William Arthur Ward

To me, a meaningful life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated, or being perfect. It's about being real, being humble, being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others. It's time to start living your own life, not set on others expectations.