1. You can shower them with light and sprinkle compliments on them like candy, but that doesn't mean they'll choose you.
You can't force someone to make you their top priority. Make yourself a priority, and you will find people who are exactly what you need.
2. Your lungs will burn and your heart will ache, but that still doesn't mean they're right for you.
Be strong enough to realize that not every single person who comes your way is there to stay. People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
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3. Good friends are everything.
Don't ever sacrifice your friendships for something or someone that has the ability to leave you. Good friends are priceless, and you should treat them as such.
4. There's a good chance that if one door closed on you, another door is about to bust open in front of you. Be ready for it.
Good things happen to those who never give up. It's natural to be frustrated when things don't go your way, but never allow setbacks to deter you from your goals. Acknowledge that better things are around the corner.
5. People naturally come in and out of your life.
Sometimes it's someone's fault, but most of the time it isn't. You are growing and changing with each passing moment, and sometimes people can't handle your new and improved mindset. Recognize when you need to apologize, when you need to be apologized to, and when you are simply just leaving behind old relationships in order to find individuals better suited for you.
6. Take care of yourself, both in body and spirit.
Nurture your physical self, as well as your emotional self. Recognize when you have had too much, and make decisions based off of what would be best for you as a whole.
7. You are changing everyday.
Embrace the spontaniety that occurs with each passing day. You are endlessly evolving and growing. Welcome the opportunities that present themselves as they come your way, and continue to shape yourself into the person you ultimately want to become.
8. Be in the present.
Everything happens for a reason. Regret occurs when you second guess your actions. Learn from your mistakes, and understand that nothing is set in stone. You have all the power, always.
9. Surround yourself with people who make you better.
Ensure that the people you decide to play a role in your life are there to see you wholeheartedly succeed. If they don't, they're blocking space in your heart. Make room for someone else.
10. Be alone with yourself.
Spend some time alone with yourself and discover a whole new you that you didn't even know existed.
11. Chances are, they won't change for you.
People don't change unless they want to. Trust me, I've learned this the hard way. Your beautiful soul will try to heal the broken, but sometimes people crave the darkness they possess inside. Be conscious of your heart and recognize when you are trying to mend someone who isn't interested in being fixed.
12. Don't ever make someone your whole world.
People can be temporary. Never base your life off of an individual who has the power to leave. Find strength in yourself, and find people who add power to the strength you possess.
13. Find something that you are unapologetically passionate about.
Pay attention to the fire that roars in you heart when you're doing something that you love, and never stop chasing that feeling for the rest of your life.
14. Spend time with your family.
The people who gave you life and the only people who will always choose you. Appreciate and respect them wholeheartedly, and don't let anyone get in the way of the role they play in your life.
15. Find a healthy release.
Whether it's art, writing, sports, working out, reading, or hanging out with your friends, there are many ways to relieve stress and let off some steam that is healthy for both your body and your soul.
16. Know what you deserve.
Never settle for anything less than what you deserve. Recognize when you're not happy and change it. You are magnificent. Build a life around the thought that you deserve nothing but the best, and you will start seeing positive results.
17. Be proud of your accomplishments.
Appreciate the things that you've done, and never stop reaching for your goals.
18. Your soulmate isn't always romantic.
Your soulmate can be your mom, your best friend, an author you've never met, it can even be a dog. The connection of two souls is infinite and limitless. Stop thinking about your soulmate as someone to fall in love with, and start thinking of them as someone who helps you fall in love with yourself.
19. Your words matter.
Your words are a weapon that needs to be treated with care. You have the power to make or break someone. Speak with a lightness and an understanding that you have the ability to positively change someone's life.
20. You're on a journey.
In the grand scheme of things, you are just beginning to understand the path that you're on as a person. As you turn twenty, continue to chase your dreams and never lose sight of what makes you feel alive. You are on the edge of discovering everything beautiful about this world; embrace everything this wonderful life has to offer.
