What I have learned in life part two:

Often times when someone does something to you that can’t be explained, it has more to do with them than it does with you. We all have our “stuff.”

No matter how hard we try, we cannot make other people own their “stuff,” we can only own our “stuff.”

Thank the people who have been there for you and who support you often.

Stop doubting people. If they say they are going to do something, try to believe them. And if they fall short, forgive easily.

Sometimes we have to make decisions based on our needs and wants. We cannot always please everyone else.

Everyone is responsible for making themselves happy. It’s not your job to please everyone.

Care for everyone, but do not let other people consume you.

Don’t settle for the lunchmeat in your life when you could have the steak.

Remind yourself that you are enough and that you do enough often.

Take P!nk’s advice, “change the voices in your head, and make them like you instead”

Rely on God. For everything.

Express your fears out loud. Keeping them locked inside magnifies the fear.

“You don’t have to feel guilty about removing toxic people from your life. It doesn’t matter whether someone is a relative, romantic interest, employer, childhood friend, or a new acquaintance— you don’t have to make room for people who cause you pain or make you feel small. It’s one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries, and continues to treat you in a harmful way, they need to go.” –Daniel Koepke

Listen to your gut. Your body knows things before you do.

You have the power to change what you don’t like— a situation, who you have become, how you react; you can change it.

Don’t let this cold world make you hard. Stay soft and sensitive to the people around you and what they are feeling.

Forgive, but don’t forget because you never want to be hurt the same way again.

We are all a little broken and that is okay. It’s okay to not be okay. You’re not perfect. I’m not perfect. Society isn’t perfect.

It is okay to cry. Did you catch that? It. Is. Okay. To. Cry. Crying does not signify weakness; it signifies that you are still sensitive enough to feel and that you have been strong for too long. Do not be ashamed of your tears. Everyone cries.

“It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you have known forever don’t see things the way you do. So you keep the memories, but you find yourself moving on.” –Nicholas Sparks

If you can’t figure out where you stand with someone, it might be time to stop standing and just walk away.

If someone treats you like crap, just remember that there is something wrong with them, not you. Normal people don’t go around destroying other human beings.

Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening; it will stop you from enjoying the good stuff.

Put forth everything you have when you sing. Release all of your emotions with each note that you belt.

You don’t have to attend every argument that you are invited to.

Calm down. You are exactly where you need to be. Not a step ahead or a lick behind.

Music is one of your best friends. Accept it. Find the songs that say what you can’t. Your favorite song will tell a person more about you than your words ever will. And remember, every song can have more than one meaning based on the listener.

If you love the song and someone else hates it, BLAST THE MUSIC ANYWAY!

Do what you want. Chances are you are going to do it later anyway.

Listen to what children have to say. Even the little stuff, because if you don’t they won’t tell you them big stuff, because to them, it has always been the big stuff.

Avoid using negligible words when you are talking to someone, especially when you have been trusted. It will beat the other person down.

Watch your words and your actions in everything you do. Every. Single. Little. Thing.

Don’t say things you don’t mean and don’t volunteer for anything you don’t want to do.

If you say you are going to do something— do it. Be reliable and don’t wait until the last minute to do it.

Love yourself. You are as amazing and beautiful as people have told you. Don’t let the negative voices in your life consume you.

When you are told something that you don’t want to hear, take it and chew on it for a little while. Try to find their point of view and figure out where they are coming from. Listen to and explore their advice, but you don’t have to listen to it. You’ll decide what you need to do.
If you feel like you need counseling, toss the idea around, and only go if you feel like it is right.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” –Dr. Seuss

Get a massage every now and again. You need to release the tension that you have stored in your muscles. Let go of what you have been holding in.