2. ENJOY THE UPS.

Yes, there will be downs, but there will also be ups. Cherish them!! When you hear the saying, “Life is like a roller coaster,” it is not a joke!! The good times and bad times will always come and go. Don’t be a pessimist and wait for the next bad time. Assume instead that it will be ages away and enjoy the good to the very fullest extent. Revel in it!

3. SEEK MORE GOOD.

Even when times are tough, think of as many good things in your life as you can. I promise you, it will not only change your mood, but it will make you see more good than you realized. When you seek the good, it grows more good in your life. Try it!! You have nothing to lose!!

4. YOU WILL NOT WIN EVERYTHING.

A trophy for every kid? Ugh. This one gets me every time. We all have different talents. We are all unique. Find what you love to do and do your best. I love to run. It makes me feel good. I have never won first place in a race. That’s ok. If you really like the thing you want to win in, and you really want to win, then try harder and practice more. If you keep at it, you will reach your goal. Just know that you are good enough in life, even if you come in last in the mile.

5. STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF

Decide who you are and what you enjoy and want out of life. Then build from that. Don’t let what others have or like influence you because in the end you won’t be living your own life and you won’t be happy. Don’t set out to hurt people and know there are times you need to compromise with others, especially in relationships, but never compromise what means the most to you in life and NEVER compromise your morals.

6. LAUGH!!!!!

If you can’t laugh at yourself, I promise you I always will! Learn to crack a joke, whenever it could ease the tension (which is almost always!). I cannot tell you the amount of times I have laughed through tears. It doesn’t make the situation go away, but it relieves a little stress and many times helps you to refocus on the good. I have been blessed to surround myself with people that know it’s ok to make me laugh and crack jokes as well, no matter how shitty it’s going. Those people are your tribe!!

7. TAKE CARE OF YOUR TRIBE!!

Speaking of your tribe, love them! Your tribe consists of the people you surround yourself with and call your friends. They can be family too, of course. They support you and know you inside and out. They say the right thing at the right time and when they don’t, you know them so well that it doesn’t matter. Take care of these relationships. Life is hard. You might not always be in a position to do something big for someone else, but remember that a text or phone call just checking in means alot too. Good friends know you don’t need to talk everyday to support one another. You can count on good friends, but also make sure that they know they can count on you too! There have been times in my own life that I have had so much to handle, that I wished more than anything I could just stop and go to a friend and help them. I could at least call and check in and be a shoulder if they needed it. And then, there will be times when you can be there 100% for someone else- DO IT!! Don’t ever take your tribe for granted.

8. STAY ACTIVE

You will always feel better about yourself (no matter how much you weigh) and your current situation, if you stay active and exercise. Take care of your body. It’s the only one you have. God gave it to you, and you are amazing!!

9. ALWAYS BE NICE

There is never a reason to be nasty, even when you really want to be. Let others act how they choose.  This is not being fake. I’m not saying invite your enemies over for a tea party. I’m saying that if you must spend time or have a conversation with someone you don’t really like, just literally grin and bear it. If someone insults you or hurts your feelings, you have every right to tell them. However, do not attack them back. It does no good to you or to them. Be the bigger person.

10. GO FOR IT

Never tried snowboarding before? Throw on a helmet and give it a whirl! Afraid to go on that date in case it just doesn’t work out? Dress yourself up, have a blast, and think positive! Nervous to start a new career or endeavor? Put one foot in front of the other and take it from there! Whatever opportunities you have, take them! Whatever you want out of life, go get it! A few people laugh at me when I throw out the term YOLO. For those of you that don’t know, it means, “You Only Live Once”. Yes!! This is it, no dress rehearsal, no second chance! There will be critics, but who cares? You are meant to LIVE and to DO in your life. (Obviously there are exceptions like dangerous, stupid stuff, but I’m assuming here that common sense is involved in decision making.) So wear what you want, have your own opinions, speak up, but be nice, and take those chances that come your way!