I have had 19 years to live this beautiful and crazy life, and 19 years to reflect on the trials and errors of human nature, so I decided to share 19 things I have come to realize in my 19 years of being alive.

1. Not everyone is going to like you...

And that is okay.

2. Don't run away from your problems.

Someone I love told me "You run away from your problems." and he was right, He taught me to not run from them, but to tackle them. Face them head on. No problem was ever resolved by brushing it under the mat.

3.Never Apologize For How You Feel.

You can't change what hurts your feelings, or what makes you happy.

4. Love Deeply.

A love so deep the ocean would be jealous. Find that person, even if it took a couple tries to find them, and hold onto them. Cherish them. Love them.

5. Smile at strangers.

You have no clue what people are going through.

6. Have those "3 am and I can't sleep." deep life conversations.

You get into some deep life altering conversations that might make you see life a little different. Conversations good for the soul. Find someone that makes you view life a little differently.

7.Look at a friend and realize how much you value their friendship.

Don't you ever just look at your friends and think "God did me a favor putting you in this world at the same time as me."

8.Its okay to get attached.

I always thought it was a bad thing to get attached to people because it always hurts when they leave. I have discovered getting attached only shows how much they must mean to you. Love them and let them see you cry when their leaving hurts you.

9.Someones thoughts of you shouldn't dictate how you see yourself.

10. Seek wise council but trust your own judgment.

Mistakes are meant to be made. As my Mom aways told me, "The only mistakes are the ones you don't learn from."

11. Happiness can not be measured and passion cannot be refrained.

It's the moments where there simply are not words for the happiness you have succumb to.

12. Always sing in the car.

You make memories this way. Especially at 2 am with your best friends.

13. Holding grudges is stupid.

Seriously, how awful would you feel if you decided to hold a grudge against someone you once loved, then have something horrible happen to them? Not to be negative-nancy but it happens. Always leave someone as if you are leaving them forever.

14.Hug a lot.

There has never been anything wrong with showing people how you feel.

15. You don't have to be happy all the time.

Hey, yeah, surprise i'm not perfect and realizing that is so refreshing! We are human, we can be sad, we can be happy, we can feel however we want to feel and that is A-OK!

16. You'll never forget a first kiss.

It doesn't just have to be your first kiss ever. First kiss ever or first kiss with the person, either way it is always unforgettable. (Side note, a church hallway and two 16 year olds isn't the most romantic, or appropriate place for a very first kiss. Forgive me Jesus.)

17. My Mom was right.

No, I did not just say that. Okay, maybe I did but you won't catch me dead in my teen-years telling that to her face. Maybe i'll try to say it when i'm 30? But seriously. She was right. About the clothes, the makeup, the boy who "played mean." she was right about (almost) all of it.

18. You will have stories to tell at thanksgiving in about 10 years.

Until then, keep the stories of your youth you don't want your parents knowing to yourself (and maybe a few close friends.)

19. Love yourself first.

It is hard to love someone else if you can't at least appreciate yourself.