The end of the year is always a time where we reflect on the year that ends and make plans for the new year. It’s not different for me. I have learned not to make New Year’s Goals, instead I learned to make life goals. Here are five life lessons for 2018 that I want to share with you all:
1- Learn to Live in the Moment
The present moment is all we have. Worrying about what may happen or planning too much for the future that may or may not come prevents us from living in the present. Yes, we all have to make plans but we all have to learn to appreciate what we have right at this moment. It may not be what we want or deserve but it is what we have. Learning to appreciate the present, living in it and not fighting against it is the source of true freedom. Stop swimming against the current and learn to ride the wave.
2- Practice Detachment
We come to this world with nothing and we leave with nothing. It sure is nice to have stuff but no material thing defines who we are or our worth. Being able to appreciate things and people is a virtue but being attached to them is slavery. No one can make you feel a certain way. No one holds the power to our happiness. No material thing makes you more or less than someone close to you. Be comfortable with what you have and enjoy it without being dependent on it. One day you have it and the next you may not. Detachment is freedom.
3- Learn to Let Go of Things You Can’t Control
I was the queen of trying to control everything around me and that almost killed me. The minute I understood I couldn’t control the outcome of certain things, life began to change. It’s not about giving up but understanding that the world doesn’t revolve around us. The only thing that is constant in life is change. People change. We change. Things change. If something no longer makes you feel good, it should not be in your life. Learn to respect yourself enough to let go. It may be temporary or forever. Whatever it is, let it go when it is time to let go.
4- Don’t Wait for the Perfect Time to Try or Do What You Want
This idea of the perfect time is illusion. There is no perfect time for anything. If you want something, take a chance and do it. The worst that can happen is that it won’t work but at least you tried. Don’t worry about what others will think or say. Most of the time they are afraid of trying something new themselves. Do what works for you and know that you already won by trying.
5- Listen to Your Gut Instinct
It’s funny but in every situation we go through we usually have a feeling about a situation, a person or an action. I can’t say you have to trust every instinct you have but I can say you should listen to it. Pay attention to your instinct and try to analyze why you had a certain feeling. Don’t over analyze it but take a minute to process it. I can say that, for me, my gut gut instincts always pointed me in the right direction. The times I went against them, I got into a situation that I kind of already knew was/wasn’t going to work.
I hope whatever you have gone through this year, good or bad, has taught you something and made you a better person. I wish you all an amazing 2018 and thank you for having touched my life in some way shape or form.
Happy New Year!
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