Some Life Lessons to End the Year

1. Pain is part of growing.

Sometimes life closes doors because it’s time to move forward. And that’s a good thing because we often won’t move unless circumstances force us to. When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose. Move on from what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you. Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. Good things take time. Everything is going to come together; maybe not immediately, but eventually.

When you roll with life, instead of resisting it, you grow.

2. Everything in life is temporary.

Every time it rains, it stops raining. Every time you get hurt, you heal. After darkness there is always light – you are reminded of this every morning, but still you often forget, and instead choose to believe that the night will last forever. It won’t. Nothing lasts forever.

So if things are good right now, enjoy it. If things are bad, don’t worry because it won’t last forever either. Just because life isn’t easy at the moment, doesn’t mean you can’t laugh. Every moment gives you a new beginning and a new ending. You get a second chance, every second. You just have to take it and make the best of it.

3. Worrying and complaining changes nothing.

Those who complain the most, accomplish the least. It’s always better to attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed. It’s not over if you’ve lost; it’s over when you do nothing but complain about it. Don’t let the shadows of the past darken the doorstep of your future. Spending today complaining about yesterday won’t make tomorrow any brighter. Take action instead. True happiness arrives only when you stop complaining about your problems and you start being grateful for all the problems you don’t have.

4. Your scars are symbols of your strength.

Don’t ever be ashamed. A scar means the hurt is over and the wound is closed. It means you conquered the pain, learned a lesson, grew stronger, and moved forward. Don’t allow your scars to hold you hostage. Don’t allow them to make you live your life in fear. You can’t make the scars in your life disappear, but you can change the way you see them.

5. Every little struggle is a step forward.

In life, patience is not about waiting; it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard on your dreams, knowing that the work is worth it. So if you’re going to try, put in the time and go all the way. Otherwise, there’s no point in starting. This could mean losing stability and comfort for awhile, and maybe even your mind on occasion. It could mean stretching your comfort zone. It could mean sacrificing all that’s familiar. It could mean accepting ridicule from your peers. It could mean lots of time alone. Solitude, though, gives you the space you need. Everything else is a test of your determination, of how much you really want it. If you want it, you’ll do it, despite failure and the odds. You will realize that the struggle is not found on the path, it is the path. There’s no better feeling than knowing what it means to be ALIVE.

6. Other people’s negativity is not your problem.

Be positive when negativity surrounds you. Smile when others try to bring you down. It’s an easy way to maintain your enthusiasm and focus. Keep being you. Don’t let someone else’s bitterness change who you are. You can’t take things too personally, even if it seems personal. Rarely do people do things because of you; they do things because of them. Above all, don’t change just to impress someone who says you’re not good enough. Change because it makes you a better person and leads you to a brighter future. People are going to talk regardless of what you do or how well you do it. You can’t please all of the people all of the time. If you believe strongly in something, don’t be afraid to fight for it. Great strength comes from overcoming what others think is impossible. Your life only comes around once. This is IT. So do what makes you happy and be with whoever makes you smile, often.

7. What’s meant to be will eventually BE.

True strength comes when you have so much to cry and complain about, but you prefer to smile and appreciate your life instead. There are blessings hidden in every struggle. You can’t force things to happen. You can only drive yourself crazy trying. At some point you have to let go and let what’s meant to be, BE. In the end, loving your life is about trusting your intuition, taking chances, losing and finding happiness, cherishing the memories, and learning through experience. It’s a long-term journey. You have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting along the way. Laugh, live consciously in the moment, and enjoy your life as it unfolds. You might not end up exactly where you intended to go, but you will eventually arrive precisely where you need to be.

8. The best thing you can do is to keep going.

Don’t be afraid to get back up, try again, love again, live again, and dream again. Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart. Life’s best lessons are often learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes. There will be times when it seems like everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong. You might feel like you will be stuck in this rut forever, but you won’t be. When you feel like quitting, remember that sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right. Yes, life is tough, but you are tougher. Find the strength to laugh every day. Find the courage to feel different and beautiful. Find it in your heart to make others smile. Don’t stress over things you can’t change. Love generously. Speak truthfully. Work diligently. Keep growing.

9. Follow this daily TO-DO list:

Think positively.

Eat healthy.

Exercise.

Worry less.

Laugh often.

Sleep well.