Rising Above

We often feel embarrassed, angry or upset when something doesn't go our way and we feel the walls are crumbling around us. This makes a lot of people feel inadequate and insecure. What we need to realize is that every time we fall, we will eventually get back up.`` Our greatest glory is not in falling but in rising every time we fall.`` We as individuals have to make the decision to not stay down but to rise above. This is where we will find our glory. If people decide stay down, they may be letting opportunities pass them by, however if people rise every time they fall, they will become a stronger person and have unlimited possibilities.

Appreciation

Unkown author

Over the past 2 years, I have learned to not let life pass me by. I have learned to enjoy the little things in life; live in the moment and not worry about the future or live in the past. There was a time in my life when I lived a lot more futuristic then I do now. What I mean by this is that I was always looking forward to what was coming up, not appreciating where I was in the moment.  In less than three weeks, high school will become a thing of the past for all  grade 12 graduates. In grade 9, grade 12 seemed so far away, almost out of reach for some. Looking back goes to show how fast time fly’s and that we need to "appreciate what we have, before time makes you appreciate what you had."

Expectations

I find that because I do certain things for others, I expect them to do the same or treat me the same way that I treat them. This doesn't always happen. We all have certain expectations of each other. It is hard sometimes to not have expectations of your friends who you think you are "close" friends with. Then you realize they don't respect you the same way you respect them. For any relationship to last whether its friendship, marriage, parents both parties have to know the expectations they have of each other. If they do not, there will be a lot of miscommunication as well as unspoken expectation. I have a friend in Manitoba and we have been friends for 5 years. At first she wasn't the nicest person to me but for some odd reason, I stayed friends with her. Even though she put me through a lot, she has gained a lot of respect for me and we both have an expectation of each other to keep in contact. It is kind of an unspoken expectation. We keep in contact not because we have to but because we want to. It took me a long time to accept her for who she was as well as to forgive her.  I have met a lot of different people and I find that most people were not the person I first thought they were. This was not always a bad thing however, as I get older I try to not have expectations of people and accept them for who they are. I also try to focus on their good points and not point out their bad ones because I to have made many mistakes in my short lifetime and nobody is perfect.

Attitude

People tend to blame their happiness or unhappiness on things that did or did not happen. We need to learn to make the best out of every situation and have a good attitude. This can be very challenging to do. Through everything that I have been through from moving provinces to going to a new school, I have learned to look for the best in every situation as well as have a positive outlook even when things don't go as planned.

The Little Things in Life

There are many times when we are so busy that we forget to stop and "smell the roses". If we do not take the time to find the little joys in life, then as we get older, we will have fewer memories to reminisce about and therefore likely have more regrets. Today our world is so busy and noisy that we need to slow down and take the time to find joy in the little things in life. Taking the time to find joy in the little things in life will bring a person peace and happiness. Like the quote says, "one day we will look back and realize the little things were big things."

Happy People

I find myself wondering, why some people are so happy and others are so miserable. I have come to realize that the happiest people do not necessarily have a big house or lots of money. But what they do have is a good attitude. I have also realized that people who are wealthy are not necessarily happy. Making the best of every situation can sometimes be a challenge but once a person learns to do it, they are much happier and often less stressed.

The Ability

Many of us sometimes forget that there is more than one meaning to success. Success is more than getting to the "finish line" it is also about our mindset and the ability to have a positive outlook. If we have a negative outlook and no enthusiasm then our chances of success are slim but if we have a positive outlook with lots of enthusiasm then our chances of success greatly increase.