10 Crucial Things To Remember For 2018

1. Where you are ≠ Who you are.

When you are going through a difficult phase in life, it is the easiest thing in the world to convince yourself that your circumstances will never change and that you are destined to remain in the doldrums.

Push those negative thoughts away and remind yourself that you are a warrior with the power to turn your life around at any given moment.

Let the distance between where you are in life and where you aspire to be inspire you instead of intimidating you. Build a bridge to help yourself get across one step at a time.

2. It is okay to not be #1 all the time.

Trust me when I tell you that you need to swallow the bitter pill of defeat before you can truly savour your success.

Defeat makes you more human than victory ever can. It teaches you the value of modesty. It allows you to find the courage to rise from the depths of despair to the soaring heights of success.

A wise man can learn more from his defeat than a fool can learn from his victory.

3. Patience is a virtue.

Whether it is a job you want or a travel destination on your bucket list or a life partner you seek, patience is the key.

All great things require time and effort and your heart’s deepest desires are worthy of both. Give yourself the gift of time and keep making an effort so that one day you will watch your dreams unfold into your own beautiful reality.

You deserve the best life has to offer because you have chosen to be patient for what you really want and have placed your trust in a higher entity.

4. We are meant to meet the people we meet.

I believe people come into our lives for only two reasons: to either teach us something or to be taught something by us.

Perhaps that person met you because they had to remind you that your light is a guide. Perhaps because they had to teach you what you require in your potential life partner.

Perhaps you met that person because you had to remind them of their self-worth. Perhaps because you had to teach them that love is simply a synonym for sacrifice.

While some people you meet may take up only a few sentences in the book of your life, others will feature in entire chapters. Wait for the one that ends up as your own book dedication.

5. Love does not conquer all.

Love does not conquer religion or incompatibility. Love does not conquer differing needs or demands. Love does not conquer people’s fears. Sometimes love is not enough.

You can love someone with all your heart and they can love you back with a burning intensity but still not be willing to meet you halfway on the bridge.

It is not your job to convince anyone to meet you halfway. The right person will take two steps for every single step you take towards them. That is how you will know.

6. You can conquer all.

No one else can understand your journey and no one else has to. No one else can teach you how to pick yourself up after a fall. No one else can look out for your best interests better than you can. Every single time you are enough.

Be proud of how you have reacted to the challenges life has thrown your way. You have been brave in the face of the most adverse circumstances. You have never stopped believing in yourself.

It ain’t over ‘til you say it’s over.

7. Most of our fears are irrational.

Each one of us has gone through something that has changed us so drastically that we can never go back to the person we once were. It is only natural to still have nightmares and be fearful of what the future might bring.

I have been a pessimist and I have been an optimist and I have discovered that the optimist sleeps much better at night.

There is still time to become the person you have always wanted to become. There is still time for you to achieve your dreams. There is still time for love to find you.

Let go of your fears and embrace the uncertainty of life.

8. Live in the moment.

As simple as this sounds, I truly envy people who have mastered the art of enjoying any given moment without reminiscing about the past or worrying about the future.

Too often we lose the essence of a moment during our reminiscing or worry. It is only through a memory that we are able to relive that moment once it is over which is why we end up reminiscing about the past. It’s a vicious cycle.

Don’t be trapped in this cycle. Live the moment itself instead of reliving only a memory for the rest of your life.

9. Start living for yourself.

You cannot keep saving people for the rest of your life with no regard for your own mental well-being. It is time to start putting your own needs first.

Putting yourself first doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you wise. You can only help other people once you’ve figured out how to help yourself.

Love yourself before you fall in love with anyone else.

10. Transform your thoughts into words.

The most important gift I have received this year is the gift of writing. It has formed the foundation of the process of self-discovery and served as a means of catharsis.

Write about what hurts. Write about what makes you happy. Write about your own experiences. Just write.

Your words will live on even in your absence. Some might find comfort in your words while others might find inspiration.

This is how you will leave behind a lasting legacy.