A Year in Review

I decided I'm going to do what a few other people have done. I'll just talk about important things I have learned rather than things I have accomplished. Here's nine.

1) Before I start this one I just want to say this may sound like I'm contradicting myself but just keep reading. Live every moment of life to it's fullest with a wider perspective. Don't waste a moment. You'll never ever get it back. Live every second with purpose doing your absolute best. Don't settle for less than what you are worth. Although I did just say that I also want to say that some choices or events in life aren't worth stressing over. Keep a wide perspective. For example the shoes you wear today won't matter in ten years or for that matter next week or even when things don't go your way just have a wider perspective. It will make it easier to get through. Lastly, a quote. "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." ~don't know

2) You can decide on how you're feeling. This may at times seem practically impossible and just not right, but nonetheless it's the truth. Life is so much easier with a good attitude no matter how hard it may be. Everyone possess the power to choose how they are feeling. Even if someone does something awful to you the things others do may influence you but it does not control you. Life seems so much worse when you have a bad attitude and complain about everything. Good attitudes are also contagious. Just be happy you're healthy, sheltered, fed, educated, and alive.

3)Whether you want to accept this or not hard work always comes out ahead. This year it's been so much easier to cheat and sadly it's very accepted. People may just say oh no big deal we're just "sharing resources" that's all. And don't get me wrong I'm guilty of sharing assignments, but I've decided I'm all done with that. You don't get anything out of the lesson and have no idea what's going on. Working hard just in general, it doesn't have to be in school is so much more worth it. You will know exactly what is going on and sometimes even ahead. Life is so much less stressful that way. You won't regret working hard. It's best for you. Don't settle for less than your best effort.

4) Life is difficult. Life is not fair. Life isn't always fun. It's full of trials, struggles, pain, and suffering. Now I know I sound like a downer but it gets better. In my opinion bad things happen to good people for just that reason. Confused? Trials make you bitter or better. The choice is yours. You can either struggle through it with a bad attitude and hate life after it. Or, you can take it as a learning experience. Trials can help you to become stronger and help you to grow and learn. The next time that same obstacle comes along it will be that much easier to get through. If bad things or hard things don't happen to you than good things won't be as good and you wouldn't grow or mature. This is just how I see it. The search of happiness in the end involves the suffering of pain. Life isn't easy. Trials are lessons and challenges.

5) Small and simple things are sometimes just the opposite. Did I confuse you again? "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass." By little choices we make everyday and by our actions we are bringing forth something great. We are living our lives. Little words of wisdom are very significant and sometimes little things or even priceless things are the things that make us most happy in life.

6) Everyday is a new day. Ever heard that before? Stand a little taller. Do a little better. If everyday we choose just one thing to work on we would be such better people. Life is so much more peaceful when we do our very best, put in our most effort, and always try to do better and be better.

7) People generally look much brighter when they look their best. The way you decide to look shows a lot about how much you care. "Better keep yourself clean and bright: you are the window through which you see the whole world." -George Bernard Shaw

8) Stop spending so much time "finding" yourself. This is a big excuse many people use when they make bad choices or experiment with things they shouldn't. They just say well I didn't know any better because they were finding if this was who they are. Quit spending time looking. You can't "find" yourself because you're not hiding. Create yourself. Do your best. Be your best. Become the person you want to become. It's your life. You choose. Create your life. Life is a work of art and you're the artist. Make life. Don't find it.

9) Lastly, there are somethings we just need to let be. We don't always need to make a big fuss over everything and we don't always have to be right or win every single argument. We shouldn't make everything such a big deal. It will all be over before we know it. We also need to be much more patient and forgiving of people. Sometimes we make a huge deal out of something that was perhaps even a misunderstanding. There doesn't need to be so much drama all the time. We should be more laid back and reasonable. It's easier that way.

I learned all of these things through my greatest accomplishments and the things that have made the biggest impact on my life. My religion and morals being the main impact on my life. I think my toughest and one of my proudest accomplishments this year was actually attending a bible study class every school day that starts at 6 a.m. It's not easy to find the strength to get up and go and it's still not over yet but so worth it all. Some of my topics probably make more sense after mentioning this. Especially the one about having a good attitude. Getting up early is no walk in the park and not all fun and games either but I'm the only one who can choose my attitude.