Life Lessons

As I approach the dreaded 4-0, I started thinking about the lessons I have learned in life. In all, I came up with dozens but I have narrowed them down to my top 10.

1. Love has nothing to do with looks; but everything to do with timing trust, and interest.
2. Laughing, crying, joy and anger are all essential and make us human.
3. The greatest truths in life are uncovered with simple, steady awareness.
4. Greed will bury even the lucky eventually.
5. Bad things DO happen to good people.
6. Time heals all wounds, no matter how you feel in the moment.
7. Karma does exist.
8. Never let your own well-being be contingent on something or somebody else
9. Taking ownership of failure can build the foundation for your success.
10. If you never act, you will never know for sure.

Getting older makes you think about who you are, where you've been and the people that you love. Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be (possibly your roommate, a neighbor, coworker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be a straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you become. Who you are meant to be. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, or breaks your heart; forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart to things.

Make every day count!!! Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before,and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are great and believe it. If you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you. You can make anything you wish of your life. Then go out and live it without regrets!

If you LOVE someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store...