Before you proceed, be forewarned that the person writing these words is not an expert. She is neither a life coach who knows how to win friends and influence people nor a renowned pastor who can show you the way to a purpose-driven life. The writer is merely an ordinary eccentric female in her mid-20s who thinks that there is more to life than all the superficial things we're seeing or doing.
The following ramblings are what she thinks matter in each individual's quest for self-growth and betterment:
1. Don't compare yourself with others. They live a different life. They were born and raised differently. Their parents are not your parents. They have a different set of friends. For sure, your respective experiences differ. If from the outset you and I were different, then there's certainly no point of comparison.
2. Read and expand your horizons. There is a whole world of amazing books out there. Take time to read them. Sometimes, it requires more courage to digest words because the tendency to be visual is just an excuse. Do not be too dependent on pictures. They may enhance your flair for color but not your capacity to think critically. Know this - a person who reads proper books has MORE SUBSTANCE than a person who simply reads showbiz bits in magazines or tabloids. You can read about so many interesting things. Why settle on the surface when you can go and explore places and ideas you've never discovered before? When all's said and done, there's nothing more joyful or beautiful than the art of learning.
3. Pray. Because prayer heals and we all need to ask for His intervention. We are imperfect beings after all! In this world where almost everyone lives the carpe diem life, there's hardly any time to pray unless you're hounded by problems. Pray not just because you're suffering or in pain. Pray because you believe in His saving mercy and that life will be better if you just let go and entrust everything to HIM.
4. Show them that you care. Every ounce of care molds a person. Do not be self-absorbed. The world doesn't revolve around one ego. There are people with bigger problems! The problems we face may not even compare. Care because you need it just as much.
5. GIVE. You can't live forever. What you have now will all disappear. The present is temporary. Life is passing. Give if you have and when you can. Don't be enslaved by material things. These will die with YOU! Give because all your possessions do not belong to you. Give away your talents because they're not yours to keep. You are but a lessee and HE your lessor in this mysterious contract called life. Give before your time on earth expires.
6. Keep the Faith. Once in a while, life deals you a few bad cards. Seldom though they maybe, some of these cards have enough power to rip your soul apart and tear your ego to shreds. Take heart. Let them not discourage you from pursuing your dreams or becoming more than what people perceive you to be. Have faith in the person God created in you. Do not forsake yourself during the times you need to be YOU the most. Keep the faith because even the smallest of faith can move mountains.
7. Dance to your own tune. Face it, it sucks to always go with the flow. I mean, the crowd is composed of individuals, each supposedly different from the other. Can you really move and think and act the same way as they do? What works for others does not always work for you - or the other way around. Mediocrity? Bah, way too easy! Don't you know you're better than that? You have to find your rhythm in the midst of all this noise or sure as heck you're going to end up tone deaf! It's your life, your music (no copyright infringement intended, MYX!). There's a tune only you can create. Dance and rejoice in your own individuality. Amen? Amen!
8. When life gives you lemons, make lemonades, lemon pies, lemon masks or lemon cakes (whatever). Oh yeah. At the end of the day, everything is just a matter of perspective. Whatever you've become, it's your choice. If your plans crumble, try not to put the blame on people or the system or God all the time. Enough, dude. Grow up. Half of the things you blame don't really give a damn about you. And come to think of it, you've got a brain, some hands and feet, and an inkling of what you like or dislike to do for the rest of your life. So why the excuses? Either you let those lemon bombs squeeze the life out of you or you squeeze those lemons yourself. Grow one in your backyard even (But if you live in Cebu or anywhere outside Northern Philippines, just plant bananas or malunggay instead.).
Remember, isolation (ergo, a box inside your head) is not good for you. You don't want to sit on a lemon tree all your life. No sirree. The world is crazy beautiful, you know. Just get out there for all the right reasons.
