I have been alive for eighteen years and I have learned a lot, to say the least. How you approach life says a lot about who you are as a person. There are some who just coast their way through life hoping that everything they want will just fall in their lap.

These people are known by "going by the flow." Then, there are others who set their goals, follow them, and keep moving in the right direction. With that being said, a big part of being successful in life is learning how to cope with the lessons that life has taught us. Here are eighteen powerful life lessons I have learned over the years.

1. People are only out for themselves.

People will act like they care for you but they are only out for what they can get.

2. Make yourself useful, you will always be needed.

Sucess comes from making yourself useful. Learn how to create or design something that others can use.

3. Without God, you have nothing.

If you make God the center of your life, everything else will fall into place. You are in control of your own destiny.

4. Be grateful every day, that is the true source of happiness.

Practice turning your thoughts towards appreciation and have a grateful heart, here you will find your strengths.

5. Your parents are angels.

They know what is best for you and they only want the best for you. Listen to them, appreciate them, and love them no matter what the circumstance.

6. Life is what you make it.

Life can be as good or as bad as you make it. Make every moment count and enjoy every minute of your life.

7. Karma is real.

What goes around comes around. This goes both ways, watch what you do.

8. You are defined more by what comes out of your mouth than what goes in.

Speech gives us the power to create or destroy. Your words have power, be careful with them.

9. There is always more to learn.

Your education is never over. Always stay open-minded and be willing to learn because you will never know it all.

10. Do not let fears consume you.

Fears can consume your entire life if you let them, don't.

11. The journey of success always begins with taking a chance.

In relationships, business, and life, in general, it all begins with a step in a desire to do better and be better.

12. You will never lose until you stop trying.

Until you try, you do not know what you can do. Never give up, always keep trying.

13. Forgiveness benefits you and the person being forgiven.

The best thing you can do in a bad situation is to forgive and move on. Do not hold grudges because this will only add to the weight that you carry on your road to success.

14. Rule your mind or it will rule you.

When you rule your mind with negativity, it will rule your world. The choice is yours to make every day.

15. A good reputation is more valuable than money.

Money will only get you so far, nor is it built by your character. However, your reputation is built on your character. Take care of your character and your reputation will be built around it.

16. Defeat is not bitter if you are strong enough not to swallow it.

We will all experience failure at one point in life. The more we are willing to risk, the more we fail. Think of failure not as the end but as part of the process.

17. Preparation is a way to success.

Failing to prepare means preparing to fail. Sucess can be defined as being prepared.

18. It is in losing yourself that you find yourself.

The greatest challenge in life is finding who you are, just make sure you are happy with who you are.