Be the hero of your own story.

Whatever mistakes you have made up until now are off the table – the only thing that matters from this point on is how you move forward. Do it with passion for it is in you. Do not expect anyone else to create your own success or happiness – that is entirely yours to make.

Do the simple things every day.

Smile and laugh every day. Be positive and act positively as often as you can. Even if you are sick, for example if you have HIV, you should learn to appreciate what you are, for you are a creation just like this story.

Find inspiration daily.

Whatever you are doing, a mega-dose of inspiration can help keep you going. So find that inspiration. The best part? It is everywhere. Read a book by your favourite author. Get out and explore nature. Listen to some awesome music. Remember always: “you are because we are” so others matter in your life.

Stop hiding.

Life is lived once. Be your unabashed self. By not doing it, you are not only robbing the world of your awesomeness, you will never be able to realize your full potential. Do not try to be someone else – they’ll always be better at it than you could ever dream of being.

Stomp out comparison.

Someone will always be “better” than you are at something but it doesn’t matter. Be inspired by them to push yourself further, and nothing more. If they can do it, it’s within your power to do it as well while applying your unique spin to it.

Be kind.

Never ever underestimate the power of a smile, a kind gesture, a sympathetic word or a listening ear – all of which are easy to give and cost you nothing. Be sensitive, you never know what someone right next to you is going through, and if this would make a difference in another person’s life.

Be grateful.

Practice gratitude daily. Take five minutes at the end of your day to chill and write down a small list of the things that made you smile, laugh, or that you’re glad are part of your life. There’s always something to be grateful about, especially when you realize that lots of people out there have it worse than you do.

Be present.

With the humongous list of things to do and more ways to distract ourselves than ever, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important RIGHT NOW, not sulking about the past or worrying about the future. The most important thing we can give others and ourselves is our undivided attention.

Be forgiving.

If you’re angry with someone or something, get over it – fast. Let go of whatever anger or resentment you are holding within yourself. If you do not, you are doing far more harm to yourself than anyone else ever could. Forgiveness is for you, primarily.

Rise.

Sometimes you don’t win.

Sometimes things don’t turn out as planned.

Sometimes you don’t end up with whom you want to be with.

Sometime you just don’t feel like continuing anymore.

So, what do you do?

Rise.

Death

One of these days, we are going to die – and who knows then? This is the most empowering thing you will ever hear.

How many days, months or years have passed by without our having really lived them? 

Doesn’t matter. Starting today, start doing more of what you love and what makes you happy. Tell the people close to you that you love them. Reach out to an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while and see what’s up.

One day you’ll wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted – do them now.