A Dozen Life Lessons.

Here are some lessons I have learned throughout my life.

1. Do not live to please other people, real happiness is making yourself happy. 

2. You are the only one who can achieve anything in your life. If you get things handed to you on a silver platter and one day it stops (which it inevitably will) you have no drive and you fail. 

3. Have a back bone. Do not be a doormat, ever. 

4. Do not live up to other people's expectations regardless of who they are, live up to your own.

5. Everyone has a different idea of what the word "successful" means. Live by your definition. 

6. Let any negativity bounce off you. You actually can force yourself to be an optimist, or better, an opportunist. 

7. Do not rely on anyone, ever. Independence is the first step towards being a strong person. 

8. Learn from every mistake regardless of whether it was your own or a complete stranger. 

9. Visualize where you want to be in the future, create personal goals, and work your ass off to achieve them. 

10. Life is easier when you choose logic over emotions. 

11. Observe everything. You learn a lot about people when you just sit back and observe rather than jumping in and being involved. 

12. Don't rush through life, you will have lots of time to settle down. Experience life while you're still young and able to. 

A Re-Realization With The Help of a Friend

Tonight, I got talking with a friend over Facebook about some things I have gone through in the past. After going back and remembering everything I had this realization, that I know I already knew, just didn't ever know how to say it, but now I've figured out how to put it into words thanks to a very kind and patient person. 


---
Me
I've made a LOT of mistakes in my life. And yet, people still doubt my actions and my reasoning for doing things. For example, most of my friends are appalled that I'm even letting my ex-boyfriend be apart of my life still because he cheated. Just because he cheated doesn't mean I hate HIM, I hate his actions, yes, but he will always be my best friend. They don't comprehend that cause they haven't been through everything I have. Forgiveness is a very powerful thing. I ALWAYS forgive. I'll be mad for as long as I want but some day, one day I'll forgive that person. Even if they screw up and do the same thing 3284728947389247 times. I may get annoyed with them but I still always forgive them in the end.
Because without forgiveness, no one would learn and grow. I'm sure one day I'll forgive the people who have done really wrong to me. Just not any time soon.


Friend
That's a beautiful thing to do, you really are notch above.


Me 
Thanks, most people don't think so, then again I don't usually take the time to explain everything to everyone.
Because I don't believe I should have to justify my actions to anyone, I think I should be able to make my own decisions based on what I know and my own experience rather than people's opinions and it's just natural that I'm going to make mistakes along the way, because I'm human, and I learn from those mistakes. Maybe not right away, or in a way that everyone can see, but I, personally, know in my heart I've learned something.
Thanks so much for listening to my huge long story, it helps me when I talk about it cause sometimes I forget, and sometimes I even forget who I am in a sense.


Friend
well, I'm glad you told me


Me
Like, what I just wrote, the above two paragraphs, I didn't know how to put it into words before to the people judging me and telling me what to do but now I know, just from recapping everything
All I could say was "you don't understand" which is a horrible thing to say to anyone cause they just might understand if you actually explain to them. As people, we generally don't take the time to do that. We just get angry and frustrated with them for not being able to read your mind.


Friend
I've actually thought the same thing


Me
I bet a lot of people have. Most people just don't actually acknowledge it.


Friend
Well, I haven't until now.


Me
But we all know this, we just need to be reminded sometimes.
---


So to all that read this, please take this all to heart, and always remember to forgive. You don't have to forget, actually I don't even suggest forgetting because remembering your past and your mistake allows you to be who you are today and to continue to learn and grow. I hope that what I've said makes someone think, if what I've said here has made even just one person change the way they see things in a positive way I'd be eternally happy. Never let yourself forget who you are and always be true to yourself.


Love Always, 
Amanda <3 

Stumbling

I'm stumbling all over the place! No, don't worry I'm not under the influence. No, I'm not weak and about to faint. I'm stumbling all over the interwebs and you should too! So this site is actually called stumble upon and basically what you do is you fill out your interests, which is fast and easy to do, and it brings you to random places you may like. If you don't like it, you click the thumbs down button and you can continue stumbling on other sites, if you do like it you can check it out further and click the thumbs up button and you'll see more sites like that one. It's really cool, and really helpful if you're bored. I've learned a lot of things on stumble upon too. I've learned things such as beauty and hair tips, things going on around the world, things about literature, relationship advice; I've seen beautiful pictures, funny pictures and embarrassing pictures, I've discovered fun interactive sites, awesome music sites that have expanded my musical knowledge and etc. There's so much on stumble upon, your mind will be blown at some point, I guarantee it. So click on the link below to start stumbling! 

http://www.stumbleupon.com/home

Did you click it? No?! CLICK IT NOW! D:< 

Thank you :)