One thing I know to be sure is that life is all too short. Unfortunately, I have witnessed this first hand within the past couple of weeks.
It's been twelve days since Bryce found out that his father had passed away. Throughout the past twelve days, I have watched my favorite person grieve the loss of the man he admired most in this world. I can only imagine the suffering and pain that comes with losing a loved one.
Throughout all of the emotions of the past few days, I have slowly realized just how precious our lives really are (cliché, I know). In the midst of the craziness of life, at the end of the day, the people you surround yourself with that make you the happiest are all that matter.
If you ask Bryce, he would tell you that I am one of the most annoyingly optimistic people he knows. Really, it is because he is the conservative, responsible part of the relationship and I am the risk-taker, opportunistic part. In all honesty, I strive to look for the silver lining in almost all situations. I know that losing someone you have looked up to your entire life isn't something to be taken lightly or joked about, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason.
Out of all of the possessions, experiences and pleasure I have gained throughout my lifetime, I am most thankful for my family. We are all so close, and despite the good and the bad, we will always be there for each other. As we all get older and begin creating lives of our own, I can't help but think about how much I cherish the times I get to see them. Living 400 miles away throughout the majority of the year is challenging to say the least. If I didn't have Bryce as my own version of "home", I wouldn't be able to do it. Now that I am rambling, I'll go ahead and get to my point.
Below are a few ideas I have gathered about making the most out of this short time we have on Earth.
-Deciding to have a good attitude ahead of time. When approaching any obstacle in life, whether that be applying for a dream job, having a necessary conversation, or even grocery shopping for the week, everything will go smoother if you are able to approach the scenario with a positive outlook. Negative thoughts, to me, seem to lead you into bad situations. By forcing yourself to see things in a more positive light, you will physically and mentally prepare yourself for changes that are bound to happen throughout your life.
-Cherishing the small moments. Something that I tend to struggle with is taking everything in. With our generation, we are so accustomed to living a life of instant gratification. Why are we waisting time trying to get to a destination when we should be celebrating where we are now? Whether you reach your final destination or not, you got the experience. The laughs, the tears, and the simple, quiet moments are all small things that should be cherished.
-Cultivating deep and fulfilling relationships. One of the most soul-restoring experiences I have had came after meeting one of my best friends. A friend who is genuine, caring and shares all of the same values as me - she isn't JUST a girlfriend I like to go out with occasionally, but someone who knows me inside and out and would do just about anything for me. Over time, she has become as close as family and I truly believe everyone needs a relationship like that in their lives.
-Don't waste your energy on resentment. If I can testify to one thing, it is that anger and frustration are a few of the most pointless emotions you can carry. In a world full of frustrating people and situations, you could easily spend your whole life holding a grudge. It has taken me many years to conclude that being angry is wasted energy. Although it requires a lot more effort, I have recently tried to turn any negative emotions towards people into showing them that I care for them. You never know what someone else is going through. Honestly, if the saying "kill them with kindness" helps, then so be it.
-Remember the moments you were happiest and try to recreate them. Like most people, I have made poor decisions in my life. I have been stagnant, I have been disappointed in myself, I have been unhappy. But I have learned from every bad decision that you can only grow from it and make better ones the next time around. I have noticed that I am happiest when I am fulfilling my passions (blogging, traveling, exercise), while also making memories with the people I care about most in this world. In everyone, there is a need for balance and familiarity. Although I don't believe that there is a secret key to happiness, I do believe that there is nothing better than contentment.
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