We’ve seen it- relationship goals, outfit goals, hair goals, makeup goals, car goals, food goals…. LIFE goals. We scroll through Pinterest with longing and wishful thinking, that if you just did this or just looked like that, it would be you. We trick ourselves into thinking we’re not good enough, which is false- you are. So, cheers- to making your own life exceed the Pinterest goals.
1. stop comparing yourself
The girl with the flat stomach with the massive thigh gap on Instagram- what if she’s genuinely unhappy. She’s going through life, defining herself through the likes she receives on her Instagram. The point is, no one’s life is perfect- no matter how they look or how you perceive their life to be, don’t compare yourself, live your own life. Chase joy, and the aspects that make you, you- pursue it- be in love with your life, and your life alone. Not the models looking back at you, not the words screaming you’re not good enough… you are.
2. Find room for Jesus
The Big one… for the BIG man himself. Know Him. Identify with him, the creator of this universe. The promise made to us, everyone, no matter where you come from, what you’ve done, the gates of heaven are opened wide when we buy into THIS promise- by accepting Him as our Lord, you are saved- just too easy. It’s supposed to be because he loves us. Imagine a love that is unconditional, loves all things, bears all things. A friend, a father, a leader, who will never leave you- who is always rooting for you, guiding you. There is pure, real joy in this promise and a life filled knowing him and chasing him. There is a purpose, there is peace in hard situations, and a love you never realized was so raw and real. And once you know Him, don’t let it go- you may stray, but if you ever get lost, turn to His word.
3. Find the right people to do life with
As we go through life, we go through phases discovering who we are and who we hope to be. In all times of our lives, well fall from being over the moon happy, to down in the ditch sad. Finding those people cheering with you when you’re happy, or pulling you up when your sad can be hard. It can feel impossible- but those people are there, and you’re supposed to find them. Look for those who encourage you to look to the cross in every situation. Friends to hold you when you're sad, and bear your pain and burden as their own. To hold your hand as you cry, or plan an intricate celebration when the times of your life are good- a birthday, a shower, a wedding. Find those friends, who you couldn’t imagine doing life without. Who make you laugh, who are real with you- who can tell you when you’re wrong, give you the real raw advice when you need it- guidance straight from God, through them. Know these people, and love these people- be this person for them. Be the type of person that attracts these people- shy away from gossip, be humorous- the soul is happiest when you’re laughing. Most of all, give more than you take. Be humble, be kind, be loving. Be everybody’s person.
Four: Let love in
There’s that phrase society seems to buy into so much- the one that got away, that you don’t know what you had until it’s gone. That love seems to be this idea we fall in and out of, that it’s real or not real, and the world can be so sinful and sad it’s hard to believe it’s there. However, if love comes knocking, let it in- discover in it, grow in it, and believe in the fact that you’re worthy of being loved. We make stupid mistakes- love is messy, it can hurt, but it’s worth it. So chase it, don’t be afraid to fall in love- don’t hold back, because the prize is worth more than the risk. Don’t let something go just too look back and wonder what could’ve been- make it happen, be daring, be bold. Doing life with someone is one of the greatest adventure’s we can take- so if you’re crushing on a boy you went on a date night with, go talk to him. Hang out with him, get to know him. If the cute boy in your class asks you out, go, even if you’re not that into him- GO!! Be adventurous, be bold!
Five: PASSION
Find your passion, make it your life- live vividly, joyfully, and boldly!!
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “For what it’s worth… it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it I hope you make the best of it. I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people that have a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” I love this- we have time to reinvent ourselves and figure it all out. That we don’t have to be in college stressing out about what to major in because, in that moment, that’s what determines our lives. I love that we have the freedom to wake up one day and try something new- to not have this set in a stone plan of how our life is supposed to turn out or expectations of what we’re supposed to do with it. That we have the power to live wherever we want, study where we want and what we want... we have a lifetime to choose happiness, so do that. Choose happiness- reinvent yourself. Be every type of person- work on wall street, when you get tired of it, go take cooking classes in Italy- go be a teacher, be a doctor- use your life to accomplish whatever you please when and how you desire too. Always, always choose joy.
Six: Travel
One of the greatest pleasures is traveling- near or far, road trips or plane rides, across state lines, or across an ocean, life is meant to discover, learn, and know this world. You gain perspective, knowledge, and become humbler when you’ve seen more- you realize how small you truly are, and are filled with longing to know more, see more, of the beauties that lie all around us. It makes life worth living, exciting, and adventurous. So go see the world- study abroad if you can, travel all over- know the world you live in.
Find joy, discover the world and yourself- live in the moment and be humble, be a friend to all. Try new things, and when you find something you love, follow it- find your passion. If you find love, let it in- it’s worth the risk. Live on the edge, however, guard your heart. Love just as He does, be like Him, and you will live a happier life- pure, solid, undeniable goals.
