10 important lessons life has taught me!

On my vacation in St Maarten/St Martin

  I meet new people every day. They often ask the same questions everyone wants an answer to. We all have our own stories and struggles, but what's important is how we deal with them.

Have you ever had a "bad" thought? We have to first accept that there are no good or bad thoughts. Sometimes our minds get a little distracted, and that's okay—it happens to me, too. But I've learned how to deal with it because sitting around feeling sad for yourself won't solve the problem. So, I made a list of 10 important lessons life has taught me. I hope they're as useful for you as they are for me.

                

1. Is the thought relevant?

When you feel stressed about finances or relationships, the human mind often wanders. It can seem hard to control all the "why's" and "how's" that go through your head. I've taught myself to take control of what's going on in my brain. That way, it's easier to stay sane, composed, and, of course, less stressed.

Everyone knows that stress starts with how you feel, and how you feel is strongly influenced by what you think. Ask yourself, "Is this thought relevant? Will it solve my problem?" 

If the answer is no, then let your mind think of solutions instead of worrying about unnecessary details. You don't deserve the extra tension; it's simply not good for your health. And no matter how difficult the situation might be, know that it will pass. The sooner you accept this, the less toxic tension you'll have to deal with.

          2. Not everyone will like you, but it doesn't matter

It doesn't matter how much good you do or don't do for others—you will always come across some people who don't like you. Some people judge you before even bothering to get to know you. Whether it's because of envy or them not being open-minded enough, they have their own ridiculous reasons why they dislike you.

Don't let their insecurities become yours. Know who you are and what you stand for. Don't let someone else's opinion define who you are or who you will become. Don't give anyone that kind of power over you.

                                    3. Learn to let go!

People will hurt or disappoint you; it’s almost a part of nature. Don't let those bad experiences be the only thing that defines you. Learn the lesson they've taught you and let go. Do it not for them, but for your own inner peace. Life is too short for you to carry that burden. At the end of the day, it's about what makes you happy as an individual. Bad things happen because the world will always remain in its own balance. Don't let that discourage or break you, because we must remember that diamonds are formed under pressure.

            4. Don't be afraid to express yourself

 

Participating in the Pride Month Walk Suriname 

As I said before, people will judge you no matter what. But that's their problem, not yours! I want you to focus on what makes you happy. To do that, you have to get to know yourself better. Sometimes we have hidden talents without even knowing it. Who would have thought that I would be writing for you now? Well, I certainly didn't see that coming.

The only way to get to know yourself better is by expressing yourself. Don't let anyone define you, because you are the only person who knows what is best for you. Be creative; pick up a hobby or sport. It doesn't matter what it is as long as you are passionate about it and it gives you fulfillment. There are no limitations that the human mind cannot break through. Inspiration comes from within. Stay focused on your goals, and be yourself! Dare to try new things and evolve in a healthy way.

          5. Don't adjust to other people their expectations!

This one took me a while to figure out. From a young age, people are raised with expectations from their family members, society, friends, and those around them. This can add pressure to your mental health. Often, we don't know any better, because we don't want to disappoint our loved ones. I have been there.

But as I grew older, I grew tired of trying to please everyone. It is your life, and we grow older day by day. What about your own expectations? Do you even know what those are? If you were to die tomorrow, would you rest in peace knowing you didn't get to do all the things you wanted to do for yourself? Write a bucket list of all the things you wish to do. Be sure to follow through with a good plan. When resources are limited, a good plan will certainly come in handy.

               6. Treat others with love and understanding

You cannot use gasoline to put out a fire! In other words, have respect for the people around you, even if they don't treat you right. Show them that you are different, and refuse to stoop to their level because you know your own self-worth. If they keep treating you badly or unkindly, then they are the problem, not you. Try smiling; it might change their reaction or approach. If that doesn't work, don't be afraid to cut toxic people out of your life. Some people just drain your energy. Remember, not everyone is meant to be a part of your life.

                             7. Your beliefs are your own!

This means that whatever religion or political view you have is your own. You know what you chose to believe in. But that doesn't mean that you should be a bully to everyone who doesn't share the same views! Don't force what you believe is right down other people's throats. Yes, we can talk about it, but should we fight over it?

At the end of the day, we are all humans trying to get somewhere in life. Nobody has it all figured out. Ask yourself this: if you were sick and in need of a liver donation just to survive, would you reject the donor just because he doesn't have the same religion or views as you do? At the end of the day, we often seem to forget that it's about humanity. Divided we are weak; together we are strong. A truly intelligent person handles the situation with class. Respect is a two-way street.

                    8. Be humble!

Be humble to yourself and to others. Let's start with you: don't be so tough on yourself. I know it doesn't always work out the way we want it to! But I strongly believe everything has its reasons. Maybe you were meant for better things. As the days go by, you will find wisdom in your previous failures. Mistakes give us the opportunity to learn.

We aren't perfect, so never look down on other people, because humanity is the golden rule! I picture it as a superhero wearing a golden cape! And even when you reach success, stay humble. It's not a secret that in life, we all share the same fate.

                                         9. Travel! 

Visiting the Netherlands

I haven't been to a lot of places yet, but I have certainly been abroad a few times. Now I don't say this because of luxury, food, and so on, although those things that are advertised seem nice. When I first left home and went on a vacation, it was relaxing. You get to leave the daily routine for a while, and it makes you feel alive.

But that is not the most important reason to travel. Travel for another perspective on life. People in other countries live different lifestyles. Sometimes it is good to know that there is a whole other world out there. It gives you a broader perspective and it teaches you to value the smaller things. When you travel, you get to learn about nature, this world, and its inhabitants. Some lessons you just can't learn in a classroom.

                               10. Set goals for yourself!

Enjoying the beach in St Martin

Wow, we hit 10 fast! This is the last one on the list. Although I feel like I could go on, I won't bore you too much. It is important to set goals for yourself. I know keeping them won't be easy, and sometimes life can take you in another direction, but it is still important to set goals because they give you a direction. See it as a compass.

To make it easier, set goals in different categories. Here are some questions you could ask yourself to help you set goals:

• Where do I want to be financially in ten years?

• What do I want to change about my health?

• What new hobbies do I want to pick up?

• What books do I want to read?

• What can I do to take care of myself in a better way?

• What can I do to feel more relaxed?

Those are just some small examples, but I'm sure you get the point!

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Much love and thank you! 💓😘😀