wise

I wrote this about two or three years ago. It's supposed to be a letter to my future self. I tried to write a piece of wisdom for each letter of the alphabet (almost did all of them...didn't quite make it), so naturally some are better (wiser?) than others.

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Apologize when necessary, and perhaps more often than not. It is better to be humble than stubborn, and after several eye-rolling, half-hearted apologies, you just may come to see the other person's point of view- as well as your own faults.

Be aware that personal flaws are not meant to be road blocks; they are obstacles intended to be overcome. When the time is right, when you are as wise and self-aware as is necessary to jump that hurdle, you will.

Catch yourself before you fall. You never know if anyone will be at the bottom waiting for you. You are your biggest enemy and best ally. Become aware of both, and you will achieve balance.

Don't forget to thank those around you, even those who have hurt you. We learn best from pain. Our experiences shape who we are, for better or for worse. It is up to us as individuals to apply the lessons others have taught.

Everything happens for a reason, but we have the power to control everything. Awareness of our capability as humans is reason enough to make anything happen.

Friendship is a familial obligation. We see each other through life stages: crawling, crying, learning, growing...even as adults. Let us not forget this.

Give more than you take, but do not be a martyr. It is easy to expect praise for a well-intended act, but the silent good-doing acquires the most benefit in the end. Do not expect reciprocation. Expectations are often grandiose and out of place.

Happiness transcends all explanation. It cannot be defined simply as a verb, adjective, adverb, or noun. Embody all that is happy and right with the world, and words will no longer be necessary.

If you find yourself in a tough spot, do not struggle; you will only worsen the situation. The thinking man often out-performs the man of action, for the brain and heart are the elite muscles.

Jump head-first into everything you do. Your feet do not see.

Keep love in your heart always: it mends fences, opens doors, and sets the soul free. If love is all you have, you have all you need.

Listen to those who have taken the time to speak with you. Take something away from every conversation. We have much to learn, and the world has much to teach.

Make mistakes. The pursuit of perfection is a dull and lonely life. Sometimes a lapse in judgment can be just what you need, if only to do nothing more than provide a laugh. Be wrong often. Swear you're right, if you'd like. Who is to say what is right isn't wrong, anyway? Imperfections are beautiful. Break up the monotony.

Never let anyone tell you what you can and can't do. You are your own person, and only you can decide your limitations. Most important of all, tell your mind who's boss. Tell it that it's going to set itself to whatever you feel like doing that day. Don't be afraid of success.

Own up to the fact that you have no idea what the sought-after "meaning of life" is. Make a meaning for yourself.

Positive attitude makes all the difference. Tell yourself it will be, and it will be so. Pessimism sucks the life out of a person. Nothing can be, if you cease to be.

Redefine yourself. You can say, do, or be anything you want. Do not be afraid of change-- you can be someone else tomorrow.

Sing loudly. Let the whole world hear your genuine, off-key story.

The world does not stop spinning when you have a bad day. Slow down, feel the earth's rotation, become empowered by its momentum. Live your life knowing you are a part of something great.

Utilize the tools you have been given. You are more than prepared for any task.