Gandhi spoke, “Whatever you do, in life, will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” I tend to agree, with the first part; and I am learning to agree, with the second part.
By 22-years-old, Gandhi had three children, Elizabeth II was Queen, and Buddy Holly was dead. And me? I am writing this article. In my 8,030 days on this Earth, I have found 100 painful truths, joyful noises, and loving thoughts, as I am learning, that yes, “it is very important that you do it.” Because no one else will.
- Clichés are cliché for a reason.
- Cinderella and apple juice are always a good choice for a Saturday night spent alone.
- Exercise the right and freedom to choose God more and to choose God less.
- Never let geography be an excuse for anything.
- Sometimes, you need a little crazy.
- You may not marry “the love of your life”; and that is okay.
- Chocolate will always, always be better than wine.
- Indulge in your pain and like it.
- Often, all of them “wrong” choices lead you to all of the “right” places.
- No one knows what size your jeans are.
- The truth hurts, so we lie.
- Mamma Mia! soundtrack is kind of awesome.
- Live your amends.
- Abby Lee Miller is right: “You are only as good as your last performance;” so, always perform to the best of your current ability.
- Love him anyways. Or, her. (That is okay, too.)
- It is good to be scared--it means you still, have something to lose.
- Hating someone is the most exhausting thing.
- Lorelai Gilmore is hilarious.
- Eat the damn cake.
- Eat the broccoli, too.
- Blood does not make a family; love does.
- Do not postpone what you want.
- You are going to miss him/her so much, some days, you will not know if you are going to make it; but you will.
- Embody class and grace, by self-definition, and not that of the media.
- Read a book; not your iPad; an actual, paper book.
- Forgive an apology that you did not receive. Note: forgiving someone and condoning their behavior are different things.
- Your body is the protector of your soul; so, taking care of your body is preserving your soul.
- While he/she may swoon every girl, within a fifty mile radius, he/she is not the sun; you are.
- Be thoughtful. Truly, genuinely thoughtful.
- You will have multiple soul mates; and not all of them will be romantic.
- Dance whenever and wherever you feel like it.
- Watch Friends.
- You can love someone and not desire to spend time with them.
- Do not leave anything misunderstood.
- No choice is completely right, or completely wrong. All choices are valid.
- You do not have to understand everything; but you do have to respect everything.
- Walk away. Just, walk away. It is okay to be the one, who throws in the white flag, first.
- The Notebook is not the greatest love story of all time; yours is.
- Listen to your grandparents tell those seemingly boring stories because one day they will be only a story.
- Make sure that your Instagram profile is as interesting as your life.
- A proper bra is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
- Slip into a little black dress and go out with your friends. Learn from your mistakes that night.
- There is strength in tears.
- Yoga is pretty much terrible. And it is fine to be the only human on Earth to think so.
- You can love Bach. You can love Drake, too.
- Your story is not exclusively yours. Your history is a compilation of all of the moments you have ever experienced, with all of the people you have ever known.
- Wear candy apple red lipstick. Yes, you can pull it off.
- Let yourself feel lonely.
- What other people think of you is none of your business. (And give None of Your Business by Salt ‘n’ Pepa at least one listen, per day).
- Everything is temporary. Everything. You are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.
- Say no when necessary, and yes, as often as possible.
- Do not gossip; you are wasting time. Instead, do… anything else.
- Be a gracious winner, and be a gracious loser.
- Who cares if glitter is tasteless?
- Only chase after yourself; a stronger you, a more mature you, a wiser you.
- When someone shows you who they truly are, believe them the first time.
- It is wise to sleep on it.
- Sing Taylor Swift, as loud as you possibly can, everywhere.
- Tell him/her off, please.
- You are your past. Own it.
- If you love someone, tell him/her; even if you are afraid it is not the right time; even if you fear it will cause problems, you say it. Out loud.
- There is nothing worse, in the entire world, than missing an opportunity, that could have changed your life.
- It is okay to say it is not okay.
- You do not have to believe in anything more than the moon and the stars.
- Watch Golden Girls, with your Momma.
- New York City will never fail to make you crave life.
- You do not have to do anything, but breathe.
- Sometimes, it is better to stay in the dark. While, yes; there is fear; there is also hope.
- Get a new dream.
- Do not mask your Southern accent.
- Read To Kill A Mockingbird. Hate it? Love it? I do not care. READ IT.
- Savor silence.
- Try to tell a story, without relating it to your love life. I know, it is hard; but try it! Because, when you do, I bet you will find an incredible moral, just, waiting to pop out at you.
- Complacency and mediocrity are different. Mediocrity is acceptable. Complacency is not.
- Bask in being single; bask in falling in love. They are both gifts.
- Find a synonym, for “love.” Now, use it.
- Gratitude is good, for the soul.
- Run, everyday. Your body is the bomb-diggity. Now, show it that you think so!
- Sleep is productive.
- Feminism is the belief that all humans should be socially equal. Do not misunderstand that.
- Water is your best friend. Not gatorade, not sweet tea; water.
- A “sin” is the execution of an action, that your soul feels is unkind, inconsiderate, and/or untrue.
- Feel beautiful; even when, you look like *&^%. Your self-efficacy will thank you.
- All will be well; all will be well. All matter of things will be well.
- Voting for Hillary Clinton simply because she is a woman is perfectly acceptable. You do you.
- It is just, fine to be the only person in the world to not like coffee; I mean I drink it like we will be having a Brevard Coffee Party, but you? Feel free to not like it.
- Chocolate is just, a temporary fix. Now, chocolate ice cream may just be the permanent fix.
- Love art. Hate art.
- Do not look at your phone; that text can wait. So can that one.
- Spend more time being, not doing.
- You have been told that there is a thin line between love and hate since birth. Remember, that means there is a thin line between hate and love, too.
- Boundaries do not always keep others out; they fence you in.
- Read the book. Watch the movie. And understand both are artistic, in their own right.
- Letting go does not mean you no longer care. It means you care more; you care enough to respect closure. So, let go and be proud to do so.
- Always take the stairs.
- Study anatomy; understand your body.
- Sing, poorly. And often.
- Meditate.
- You will reach a point, where all you want is more time. And you will not have it.
- So, just, do it.
Because, no one else will.