A year is filled with beautiful memories, great friends and new experiences. However, 365 days also contain heartaches, stresses and change. I wholeheartedly believe that everything, no matter how tragic or terrible, happens for a reason. Even the most unfavorable situations resolve and every experience contains takeaways. It’s time to learn from this past year and live 2016 to its fullest.
Respect yourself
Showing the utmost respect toward others was engrained into my lifestyle from a very young age through my parents and my Christian education. For some, honoring others is a challenge in itself. For others, respecting others is second nature. While respecting others comes easy to some, respecting oneself can sometimes be where the ultimate challenge lies. If you’ve done a few things you aren’t the most proud of this past year, it’s time to leave those memories behind. You’ve discovered what you are and are not okay with. It’s the perfect time to regroup and be proud of who you are right now. Carry yourself in a way that demands the respect of others and shows the level of respect you have for yourself.
Don’t settle
Situations and individuals can influence you to compromise your morals and alter your beliefs. Surround yourself with people who support who you are and continuously remind you just how valuable you are. Don’t waste your time with an individual who doesn’t appreciate you. You will find someone who deserves your time and energy. Until then, keep your standards high. You should never change yourself to please someone else. If someone truly cares about you, they won’t want you to alter yourself either.
Be kind
We’ve all been at a restaurant where the waiter or waitress was less than friendly. We’ve accidentally bumped into a stranger and still gotten a death glare even after sincerely apologizing. We’ve had bad days where our frustrations have been taken out on people we deeply care about. Even when life takes unexpected turns and plans don’t go our way, it’s important remain kind. We need to consider how we appreciate being treated and treat others this way.
Do your best
Put your all into everything you do. Use the gifts you were given to do your absolute best. You truly get out what you put in. Putting only a fraction of your heart into your work will result in only a small portion of satisfaction. You don’t want to live life wishing you had just worked a little bit harder to get what you wanted. When you look back, you want to be able to say that you did everything in your power to succeed.
Reach for the stars
If you want to achieve something that seems impossible, go for it. The phrase “stranger things have happened” exists for a reason. You will never have to wonder “what if” if you just try. Your expectations aren’t set too high and you don't have your hopes up, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t just give it a shot.
Try new things
It’s so easy to fall into a comfortable pattern. We eat the same food from the same restaurants in the same cities. We wear the same clothes from the same stores in the same malls. We do the same leisure activities at the same places with the same people. Without stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things, you won’t be able to discover and experience new favorites.
Live healthy
We’ve all looked in the mirror and haven’t been pleased with what was looking back at us. Instead of feeling defeated, love yourself and do something about it. Whether that something is hitting the gym more often or eating less junk food, you’ll feel so much better both mentally and physically. Don’t do these things because you want to look the way society thinks you should. Do it for yourself. Make a change if you aren’t satisfied with the way you’re currently living and take care of yourself so you can be the best you.
Make time for what’s important
I am constantly struggling to find the perfect balance between work and play. Perfection doesn’t exist, so I’m just going to have to keep attempting to set aside a little time to do what I love. When homework and workloads start piling up, taking a break can slip your mind. It’s important to make time for the people and the things that are important to you. When you do what you love, you’ll be less overwhelmed and won’t burn out as easily.
Hold onto the positive lessons you learned in 2015 and release any and all unpleasant memories. It’s time to enter 2016 with respect for yourself and others, continuous kindness and unconditional love.
