I have learned a lot about my life and life in general in the last year or so…

I’ve learned that no matter what you are going through there is someone out there that has felt the range of emotions you are feeling. They may not have been through what you are going through, but maybe they have been through something similar. We are never alone. We are surrounded by people that love us and above all, we ALWAYS have God on our side. And that, that alone is enough.

I have learned that your trust issues have more to do with yourself than they do anyone else. It is our own fear that we have to get over. Trusting someone fully IS possible. It can be hard to find this kind of people, but if you just open your eyes and look around you, you will find them. Trust me, I have had trust issues since I was five years old, but now at 18, I am learning to trust. Fully. It is possible, and taking that leap of faith is worth it.

On the contrary, there are people you cannot trust. Some people are just curious about your life and they don’t want to be there for you at all. All they want to do is gossip.

I have always been one to give people the benefit of the doubt, but in the past year I have found it to be particularly crucial. If you doubt people and their intentions you never give yourself a chance to love and trust them fully.

When all goes to hell there are going to be a handful of people that are with you through it the whole way. It doesn’t matter if you have known them your whole life, or just met them three months ago. They may or may not be in your bloodline, regardless they are your family. They are the ones who are willing to do anything for you, no matter what time of day it is. They are the people who will hold you while you are in tears and cannot see the light to come after your darkest hour. They are the people who love and support you 100%. They will be the ones that know all of your flaws, but love you anyway. There will be times that all you want to do is cry and these people will listen to you, despite the common belief of fighting the emotions and moving on. Those are the people that you need to keep in your life. And sometimes you need to fight to keep them there. They are your blessings. Don’t take them for granted.

And on the other hand, there are people in your life that tell you they will always be there, but when it comes down to it, you’re standing alone. People you thought would always be there can be the ones walking away . Bloodline or not. Sometimes you will learn that someone you met a month ago is more of a parent or sister to you than anyone else is… it isn’t about the ones who are always in your life; it is about the people who walked in and never left your side.

Life sucks. Things are going to happen that make you want to crawl into a black hole and die. Those are the times you need to say a prayer, let it go, and carry on. Find comfort in God and music and in your blessings. Those things will get you through the hardest battles.

Life is beautiful. Things will happen the make you take a step back and just look around in amazement. Cherish these moments and remember them on days your sunshine is dulled.

No matter what you do, or what choice you make there is always going to be someone who isn’t happy. Do things that make you and God happy, because at the end of the day, those two opinions are the only ones that matter.

Go to church as much as you can. There is just something about the atmosphere and spending quality time with the Maker that is refreshing.

Pray more; worry less.

Smile. And a lot. Smile because you deserve to. Smiling improves your mood. And one smile can have the power to make someone’s day.

Smile at strangers for you never know what battles they are facing.

NEVER let anyone dull your sparkle. Keep sparkling, for in the dark one needs light to see.

Dance. Even if you aren’t that good. Take time alone to choreograph a dance every now and again, even if you are the only one who will ever see it.

Sing in the shower. At the top of your lungs. Pretend you are an international superstar at the latest concert. Who cares if you are tone deaf, it is good for the soul.

Create your own positivity. Life is too short to wait for someone else to be optimistic for you. Most people are negative, we can’t escape that, but we can chose to surround ourselves with optimists, and we can be that optimistic light in their pessimistic darkness.

People can only make you feel how you let them. You have complete control over your emotions and how you let other people affect you. They want a reaction; you have the choice to react or to be neutral. I recommend being neutral, the sooner you stop reacting the sooner they will stop provoking.

Hug often. Hugging is a good and natural medicine. It transfers good energy between two people. Hugs can speak when words are absent. They have the ability to comfort.

Hold your children, and your spouse, and anyone else that you love from time to time. Humans need to be held. Physical touch is very important to being a healthy individual.

These is something that is very cliché, but true— tell the ones you love that you love them often. Knowing and hearing you are loved are two different things.

Be so organized that if you were halfway across the world you could tell someone exactly where something was. Doing this will declutter your mind as well.

Rearrange. Rearrange often. It is a good was to move energy in a positive way and it will refresh your room. It will create a new positive energy. And play around with feng shui, you’ll be surprised at how much moving your mirror away from the end of your bed will affect your inner energy.

Learn correct grammar and try to use it.

Be classy. Avoid swearing as much as possible, look for class and not swag. Swag will not pay your bills ten years from now.

Always, always, ALWAYS wear fabulous underwear, even if you are the only one who will see them. You’ll feel better and more confident about yourself.

A woman should never leave the house in sweatpants; she must always be prepared to meet a dashing stranger or her worst enemy.

Get a correct amount of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can make one grouchy, overly emotional, and extremely aggravated; none of which is fun for either the receiving or giving party.

Stand up for what you believe in even if that means standing alone.

Drink a cup of hot tea every now and again. Two teaspoons sugar, one teaspoon honey.

Life is short. Take the money and buy what you want every now and again. Splurge on yourself, you deserve it.

Color. In a coloring book. It is very therapeutic. No children needed.

And last, but not least, do things for yourself. You cannot please everyone else. Each and every one of us is responsible to make ourselves happy.