Congratulations! Graduation is such an exciting time - the ceremony, the pictures, all the crazy people like me trying impart some knowledge in you...Now you get to begin the next big part of your journey. It feels like ages ago for me, but I can remember it like it was only yesterday...
Starting a new chapter can be fun, exhilarating, refreshing...and scary. When your ever-present side-kicks are anxiety and depression it can be hard to see through the fear to find the fun. I know, because I've been there. So, I'm going to share some things that I've stumbled over, lessons I've learned the hard way, and a few things that I wish someone would have told me a long time ago...
Your attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure...Choose the Adventure!
You cannot make others change. But when you change your reaction to them, you are changing not only how they see you, but also your entire relationship.
The toughest moments are the best lessons. Too many people waste a lot of energy trying to avoid what is difficult. Those moments are truly the best opportunities for growth.
You're human - don't beat yourself up when you make a mistake...We all do! If you're not making mistakes, you can't learn from them.
When things start to upset you, remember how little it will matter at the end of the day. Can you remember something that upset you a year ago? Are you still upset & stressing about it? Most likely those things have faded and quite possibly are completely forgotten, so don't let something silly ruin your day.
No one is given a good life or a bad life - we are all just given a life, and everyday we must choose to make it a good one. Believe that you were not born to feel defeated, guilty, ashamed, or unworthy...you were born to be victorious! If you could spend like 8 years believing in Santa, you can believe in yourself for five minutes...then 10 minutes...then an hour...
It's okay to cry - and cry hard sometimes - as long as you eventually grab a tissue to wipe away the tears as you stand up to face whatever made you cry. You can make it through any obstacle that presents itself. You've already survived all of the absolute toughest, worst days you've had so far.
Find what brings you joy and nurture it - maybe it's a hobby that you'll be lucky enough to turn into your career. Take your time - It's not a sprint. No one is ahead or behind. No one is more advanced or enlightened. It's not really a contest - we are all exactly where we need to be.
Never stop learning. In life, we are all teachers and we are all students, it just depends on the day.
Don't let perfection be the enemy of what is good in your life. Perfection is an illusion, a mirage. Don't beat yourself up over what goes awry. Instead celebrate what goes well. judge yourself only in comparison to who you used to be - as long as you're improving over time, you're doing something right. Embrace the sweet spot between settling and total perfection. No one is happy when they settle & perfection isn't real.
Live your life unapologetically. You owe it to yourself to be happy. Sometimes you'll get confused looks, but they're just jealous of your shine.
Don't be afraid of being you ~ unapologetically, unabashedly you. At the end of every day the only person you need to reconcile your actions, feelings, and beliefs with is you. If that makes you a flamingo in a flock of pigeons, rock the hell out of the color pink.
Be Kind - Always. I recently challenged myself to do at least one kind thing a day for someone I've never met. I buy a cup of coffee for the person behind me in line, put quarters in the machines at the store for little kids, smile at strangers on the street. It doesn't need to be a big expensive gesture - but every kindness will put a smile in your heart. If you have the ability to give a bit of kindness, do it. The world needs more of that.
Every atom in your body comes from exploded stars. And the atoms in your right hand are probably from a different star than the ones in your left hand. You are all stardust ~ how poetic is that?!
The two most powerful words i know are "I am." You shape your entire reality by what you put behind them...
- I am strong
- I am resilient
- I am trying my best
- I am valuable
- I am not perfect, but I am the perfect me
- I am not giving up
- I am empathetic
- I am a warrior, ready to conquer
- I am not broken
- I am loving
- I am taking things one day at a time
- I am independent
- I am human
- I am a survivor
You are 75% water...the very same kind of water that wears stones into sand...
When you feel weak or vulnerable look in the mirror & take a deep breath. As you feel the air going into your lungs remember that air is what fuels fires capable of destroying everything it touches...
...You are so very, very much...
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