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.

Happiness

A lot of people are unhappy. When people see stars they often think, “they’re happy, because they have lots of money." What I have found throughout the years is that material things do not make us happy. They may make us happy temporarily but eventually, the happiness wears off. Happiness has to come from within. We have to make the best of every situation by embracing the positive and not focusing on the negative. If a person can make the best out of a "bad" situation then they are most likely at peace with themselves and happy with whom they are.

Success

Sometimes, we are so fearful that we do not even bother to try. If we do not try then we are letting life pass us by. We need to maximize our desire for success and minimize our fear of failing. If do this, we will likely take more chances in life. The more chances you take, the more likely you are to succeed.

Where I Am

There has been so many times in my life where I did not expect something to happen. For example, if you asked me in grade 9 where I would be in grade 12; I never would have said Ontario. I believe everything happens for a reason and I did not intend on moving to Ontario but I did and I feel I have ended up where I needed to be.

Which Path?

So many times, we'll do what our friends are doing regardless of whether its good or bad. This quote is a very good example of telling people to go their own way instead of their friends way. As we get older, we tend to become more independent and not "follow the leader" so much.

Happiness

Sometimes when I am having a bad day, I find myself waiting for happiness but then I realize happiness is something we cannot wait for, it is something that we as individuals have to create. Happiness is a choice and if we wait for it then we may never experience it.

Starting Up

 A lot of times we use our past or present circumstances as an excuse for why we are unable to do something. Instead, we should look at how the past has made part of who we are today and use our current circumstances as a starting point to move forward with our lives and live the life we wish to have.