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| "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha © 2014 | Valerie Wong |
Sometimes I get so caught up in the problems around me that I forget what my goal is--I forget what it's like to be happy, to be peaceful, and to be positive. The materialism and bullshit that is instilled in the environment around me clogs my mind and lets me forget that nothing around me is permanent, and that change can come in the matter of seconds.
In the chaos of this world, and in our busy lives, we all need reminders to keep us on track. On our smartphones, we have apps that remind us when we have appointments, meetings, events to go to, when to pay our bills, etcetera. My parents prefer the old fashioned way; they keep a notepad out in our kitchen table where we write down all the things we have to do that day.
But in the midst of all this, do we have reminders to stay positive, to stay healthy, to smile more, to lean back and relax? I know that my family doesn't. My parents live in a constant state of stress, and lately, that has been getting to me.
The threat of my parents being unemployed, the threat of me coming out of college knee-deep in my loans, the threat of never finding a job, the threat of moving to a different state and leaving behind these 15 years of my life--all of this is getting to my head, and I find myself being angry more often than not.
So, this is a reminder to me, and I hope it can be a reminder to you, the reader, that nothing is permanent, and that the world offers more than negativity--it's just up to every individual to discover that themselves.
- For every bad memory, there are at least 10 good memories to go with it. Look through your pictures, you'll realize how many good memories you have.
- You are blessed with an abundant, beautiful, and supportive family that gives you a ton of shit sometimes, but in the end has good intentions and wants nothing but happiness for you.
- Every healthy relationship has their ups and downs; that includes romantic relationships, friendships, families, and especially your relationship with yourself.
- If things were perfect, you wouldn't know the difference between good or bad.
- There's no need for you to stay in a shitty friendship. You don't have to be everyone's friend, and you don't have to force yourself to fit in. Friendships are supposed to be natural and easy.
- With that, you also don't have to stay in a shitty relationship. Don't stay just because you have history, or because you think they're the only person. Life is too short for a sub-par relationship, and for you to not be happy.
- Basically, get the fuck out of anything shitty.
- You can let things go. Again, nothing is permanent. Sometimes it's better to be left with a good memory than a bad memory that will tarnish the good.
- There are other places in this world than where you're stuck right now. Travel, discover places you've never known. You've already traveled and experienced a lot, and you sure as hell know that it opens both your eyes and mind.
- There's no need to want or "need" so many things. Materialism is what makes people so self-centered. A simpler life calls for a simpler lifestyle.
- In the end, we are all human beings. Each of us are born and each of us will one day cease to exist.
- There's no one to impress but yourself. Refer to number 11.
- Don't be scared of people. Refer to number 12.
- Be humble, but also know how to love yourself and know your self worth.
- “You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world . . . but you do have some say in who hurts you."
- Things will only change if you allow it to change.
- Equilibrium. Things will always balance out.
- Smiles look good on everyone, and it releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. It's like a natural high.
- Laugh more, it feels better than crying (unless you're laughing till you're crying).
- Everything will be okay. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually, everything will be okay.
Remember that sadness, chaos, and anger will go away. Good times will fill the space that those negative emotions left behind.
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