First, take your victories where you can. Victories are not only those events in our lives typically considered momentous, such as graduations, weddings or births. Rather, each day brings with it the opportunity to succeed in a difficult task, to make a friend or to learn something new. Take time to savor every one of these accomplishments, even if they are small. Not only will your life be enriched at that moment, but you also will build up a reservoir of confidence and happiness to help you make it through the inevitable hard times. In the same vein, be happy now. You need to seize the joys of life along the way, not wait for that mythical “someday” when you will be happy. Because, if you wait, that day will never arrive.
Second, let your defeats roll off you like water from a duck. To live is to strive and to strive is sometimes to fail. You will undoubtedly fail more than once, but that does not make you a failure as a person. When you do fail, take whatever lessons you can from it and then let it go. Dwelling on it will not change the outcome and will only make the rest of your life harder.
Third, be kind to those you meet. There are so many people in this world struggling under terrible loads, most of which we cannot see. Treat everyone with respect and gentleness, try not to judge them, and help them when you can. A smile and a kind word cost you nothing, but may be the very thing someone needs to make it through the day.
Finally, remember that the things you do and the people you meet are more important than the things you have. When you look back on your life, you will almost never remember the various and sundry material things you have possessed. You will, however, remember the people who have shared your life and the experiences you have had together. Do not be afraid to love and trust someone special. Your life will be infinitely the richer for it.
