The day I decided to be happy is the day I became alive. Life is far too short to sweat the small stuff, and the older I get the more this becomes relevant.

Until recent life events I didn't truly value my life like I should and didn't realize how precious it truly is.

Life can punch you in the gut when you least expect it, but I guarantee that someone in this exact moment has it much worse than you think you do.

The scariest thing is to go through life just going through the motions everyday.

Wake up. Go to work. Come home. Then go to sleep.

Most of us are so sucked into our daily routines that we forget to start actually living and appreciating all of the things that make life beautiful.

Here are some ways to get more out of your life:

1. Don't settle for a job that will make you dread going into work everyday.

I pray that I never feel stuck at a 9-5 job that I don't love. I will never settle for something that I can't see myself still wanting to show up and do my best at everyday 20 years down the road. We spend half of our lives at work, therefore you might as well feel as if you are part of something bigger than yourself.

2. Breathe.

Sometimes it's good to just take a step back and breathe. Take a look at the positives and forget about all of the negatives in your life for a minute. A good state of mind will lead you down the right direction.

3. Stop holding onto grudges.

"To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it."

-Confucius

4. Focus on the people who will be there in your darkest hours.

Don't feed into people who wouldn't give you the world. I've lost and gained friends over the years, but the ones who have never left my side are the ones I put my efforts into keeping close.

5. Rid your life of all toxicities.

Toxic relationships, unhealthy habits, etc. Cleanse yourself of unneeded drama and other things that are suffocating you.

6. Live originally.

Life gets 10x easier once you accept yourself and stop worrying about what others think.

7. Conquer an obstacle.

Do something that scares you or challenges you everyday. It will keep you from falling into a beaten down routine. It's important to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while.

8. Appreciate the process.

Life isn't easy, I've heard this about a million times and am sure I will hear it a million more. You have to learn to love the process and trust that you will get to where you are meant to be eventually.

9. Quit complaining.

We're all guilty of grumbling here and there when we don't get our way or when we feel as if we've been treated unfairly. Learn to take everything with a grain of salt and find the good in the situation.

10. Live every day like it's your last.

Life is short, sometimes unexpected and often times unfair. But you certainly aren't promised tomorrow and you will never be able to get today back, so make it count.