Every direction you turn in life, you are bound to learn a lesson -- whether it is something small, or something that will change your way of thinking. Throughout the years, you have had people around you telling you important lessons you need to know, however, I have discovered that the lessons become more powerful once you learn them on your own. Whether they are learned the hard way, or through experience, each lesson is valuable in how you handle different situations. These lessons have been the most life changing to me once I have realized them.

1. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself.

People assume that when you forgive, that you are allowing the other person to get away with what they did to hurt you. It is actually accepting what has happened in the past and realizing that there is nothing you can do to change it. You do not have to condone what they did or agree with it, but just let go of the hope that the situation could have been different. When you forgive someone that did you wrong, you automatically allow yourself to heal from that situation instead of holding a grudge. Forgiving will benefit you more than the other person because having resentment is worse than not letting it impact you anymore.

2. Life is about the journey not the destination.

People tend to get caught up in the idea of having the perfect life, and how they are going to achieve it; in the process, they lose focus on their everyday life. Allow yourself to live in the moment and be present to those who surround you. The destination is the place you end up but the journey is where all the experiences are.

3. It is not a mistake if you learn from it.

Without failure, success would be impossible. Nobody is perfect and mistakes are a part of life. If you learn from it, it can only make you stronger and lead to accomplishing your goals instead of feeling defeated.

4. Do not overlook the small moments in life because one day you might realize that they were actually the big moments.

Something so simple can have more meaning than the extravagant moments. Things do not need to be over the top in order to be special. Take time to appreciate the small moments because sometimes they can be the most memorable ones.

5. Surround yourself with people that have your best interest.

When you have friends supporting you at all times, it can automatically boost your self-esteem and make you be the best version of you. Having the ultimate support from those who care for you is the best form of motivation. They will always be there to lift you up when you are down and to be your cheerleader when you are doing well.

6. The power of positive thought.

Those who have a better outlook on life tend to be more successful. Why waste your time being negative when you are able to be positive. Constantly being negative can have a lot of harmful results such as affecting your health and immune system. Thinking on the bright side will only bring you happiness and a better attitude.