"1) Stop falling in love with the boy next to you in class that gives you attention. I know he has captivating eyes and a smile full of potential and hair made of the sun, but it won’t be worth it in the end. You’ll thank yourself later.

2) Do not try to listen to happy, upbeat music when you are crying and alone late at night. It will only make you feel lonelier. Learn to embrace the sad music and only then should you wipe away your tears.

3) When your heart feels too heavy, tie balloons of good things to it. Count them as you tie the knots and keep counting until they help pick up the barely-beating organ off the ground.

4) During those moments when you see your former best friends in the hallway, do not sneak away. Do not avoid them. Do not ignore them even though they did the same to you. Square your shoulders and fix your million dollar smile on your face. Talk to your new, better friends. Flip your hair over your shoulders. Be confident.

5) When everything disappears in the room except for one person and you can start to feel your lives connect in a second of eye contact that seems to last an eternity, trust your instincts.

6) The day you see a young yet frazzled mother of three giggly children while you sit in your car, get out. Offer to help get her groceries in her car. Return the cart and wave good-bye to the kids fighting over the front seat.

7) Do not hold grudges against those who did you wrong.

8) When someone spills water all over your work, do not get mad. Instead, help them clean up the mess and start it over. Assure them it’s fine and make jokes. This is how you can make a lifelong friend and a good story.

9) Put flowers on random gravestones and tell the souls beneath that they are loved, if only for a moment.”

"Balance is hard. I’m learning to stop pleasing others but to ultimately please God. I’ve learned that pleasing others was toxic to me, I was constantly worried about whether or not I’m making this person happy or not, or if my actions are good enough for them. It’s detrimental to my mental health and I done letting it consume my life. Don’t get me wrong, I love making others happy and I will continue to try to every chance I get, however, if it’s making me unhappy or uncomfortable I will stop. I don’t want to please others by the way I live, I want to please Christ. Nothing will ever be good enough for humans, they will judge, bring you down, and it’s all for their own good. I’ve accepted that. But the Father knows my heart and my intentions and loves me unconditionally. He is so full of grace that he looks last my mistakes unlike fellow human beings. I think I’ve made my point here. So don’t message me on anon assuming things or saying that what I did made you “sad”. My life is my life, your life is yours. Don’t depend on me for your feelings.Live your life, and I will gladly live mine. Lastly, ask yourself if what you’re saying is building others up, because your words to me certainly did not; and that, my friend, makes ME sad."

“Another year is fast approaching.
Go be that starving artist you’re afraid to be.
Open up that journal and get poetic finally.
Volunteer.
Suck it up and travel.
You were not born here to work and pay taxes.
You were put here to be part of a vast organism to explore and create.
Stop putting it off.
The world has much more to offer than what’s on 15 televisions at TGI Fridays.
Take pictures.
Scare people.
Shake up the scene.
Be the change you want to see in the world.”