In an effort to save her words and pass them on to my children, I have written down her snippets of advice and thoughts on life. A few years after my project was done she passed away in her sleep. Today, I want to share some of her inspiring words with you, I hope they will help you as much as they have helped me.
1. Breathe in the future, breathe out the past
No matter where you are or what you’re going through, remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Never expect, assume, or demand anything - just do your best, control what you can, and let go of what you can't.
2. Others should accept you for who you are
Speak your truth even if your voice shakes and you know it won't be well-received. You are something beautiful and unique, so if you hold that back, the whole world becomes a little less amazing. Walk your path confidently and proudly - don’t expect anyone else to understand your journey.
3. You are not who you used to be, and that’s okay
People go through many ups and downs in life, and it changes them. You are no different. Your perspective has changed, your likes and dislikes have changed, your political views may have changed, and that is all normal. When people accuse you of changing, just reply by saying: “Of course I’ve changed. That’s what life is all about. I’m still the same person, just stronger and wiser.”
Whatever happens, hold on to hope. Learn from everything and don’t be afraid to make the same mistake twice, three times, or as many times as necessary.
5. Life should be simple
Focus on one thing at a time. You don’t have to do everything, and you don’t need to do something every second of your life. Breathe, be present, and do your best - it's the most anyone, including yourself, could ever hope for.
6. Educate yourself to be happy, not to be rich
There is a big difference between knowing the price of things, and knowing the value of things. In the end, you will come to realize that the best days are the days when you don’t need anything special to make you smile.
Your misery or unhappiness is determined not by your circumstances, but by your attitude. Smile at those who want to hurt you - show them that they can’t take away your happiness from you. Your willpower is stronger than you know.
8. Pay close attention to those you care about
When people say “I’m okay,” you need to look them in the eyes, hug them tight, and reply, “I know you’re not”. Don’t be too upset if some people only seem to remember you when they need you, only be upset if they are not there when you need them.
Don’t live your life trying to impress others. Live it so you'll impress yourself. If you know you will regret not doing something, just do it. It's that simple.
12. If you can't find your happy ending, maybe it’s time to look for a new beginning.
We all fail from time to time, it's just a part of life. Don’t be stubborn and just accept it. The strongest people out there are the same people who have fought the toughest battles, lost, and moved on to a new beginning.
