There are two types of people. The ones who live and the ones who merely exist. In order to truly live, do these 12 things every day.
1. Be kind.
Compliment the girl who is really shy and quiet. Smile at the boy who's sitting by himself. Offer to buy someone's coffee. Help someone who's lost. Sit with somebody new at lunch. Break the stereotypes. One kind gesture can change someone's day.
2. Be creative.
Wear all black. Wear no makeup. Let your hair down. Express yourself. Sing at the top of your lungs. Dance until you can no longer feel your feet. Jam out to The Beatles on vinyl or sing along to your favorite musical soundtrack. Admire a great actor or aspire to be like your favorite athlete. Stay up all night reading a good book. Doodle on the corners of your notebooks. Paint for the sake of making a mess. Find a blank canvas and make it your own.
3. Love your parents.
Spend time with your parents. Tell them you love them. It's hard for them to see you grow up into wonderful, independent young adults. Remember they're getting older too.
4. Your demons are just your demons.
Don't let them control you. Easier said than done. Do not let your fears keep you from being unstoppable.
5. Laughter is contagious.
It's okay to laugh like an idiot at your own lame jokes. It's okay to cackle like an evil witch in the middle of class because you remembered how your sister forgot to put sugar in the sugar cookies. Be silly. Be quirky. Be lame. Be young and dumb. Make memories.
6. Friends will come and go.
Smile at the memories you make with them. Be grateful they are a part of your life. Learn from them. Laugh with them. Love with them. Be silly with them. If they are meant to stay, they will.
7. Volunteer to drive your little brother to school.
Ask him what his favorite movie is. What he likes to play on the playground at lunch. Does he have a crush on anybody? He's only getting older, wiser and smarter. Capture the innocence.
8. Let your sister borrow your clothes.
Look at it as she likes your style and aspires to be like you. Swap outfits and create different looks. Bond over something. One day her room won't be down the hall from you. Appreciate the time you get to spend with her now.
9. Fall in love.
Let yourself become vulnerable enough to love someone. Be raw and delicate. Passionate and protective. Tell them you love them. Make sure they know you care.
10. Believe in yourself.
Have confidence in who you are. Insecurity is only temporary. Be proud of the things you have accomplished and the goals you have. Stand behind your opinions. Trust in your beliefs. Don't let people push you around. Work hard to achieve your dreams. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
11. Love yourself.
You are made the way you were supposed to be. Every freckle, curve, scar and wrinkle. Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes. Love that you are unique. Smile when you look at your reflection. Point out the amazing qualities you have. Let your light shine.
12. It's okay to make mistakes.
Learn from them. Don't let your past define your future. Don't let a number on a test define how smart you are. It's okay to be different. Blast your music in the car at five in the morning. Go on spontaneous road trips with your friends. Drink tea.Tell the guy you have a crush on he is cute. Tell the girl you like she's cute. Order a pizza at midnight and stay up late watching scary movies. Eat the whole tub of ice cream. Buy the really cute and expensive pair of shoes.You are only a teenager once. Soak up knowledge in everything you do and everyone you meet. Everything happens for a reason. Travel the world. Work hard. Be courageous. Be brave. Be humble. Be the change you want to see in the world.
Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. That's the difference between those who live, and those who merely exist.
