We Can't Expect Everyone To Like Us.

I know, this is one rule to happiness - to remember that we can't please everyone, that not all of the people we meet will like us. 

I should be mature enough to know this, right?

Well, yes. But, there are still situations when I get affected and feel bad every time I find myself confronted with this issue. I've been battling with my tendency to be a pleaser ever since I realized how bad the effect it was having on me, and in many instances I have succeeded.

Every now and then, though, comes a situation that brings back all the negative emotions I've tried to do away with during the past years. Every now and then, I would be facing a challenge that would put all my previous efforts to the test. And in certain instances, I would realize that I've not really totally gotten rid of this unhealthy tendency. And then I would feel like everything I've done has been put to waste, that I've not actually advanced from where I'd been before.

Here I am still, wanting to please people, feeling the need to get others' approval. And every time I get affected by others and feel bad about it, I know I'm not only feeling bad because someone doesn't like me. More than that, I feel bad because I realize that the pleaser in me is still here.

So, how should I react? I've always believed emotions are beyond our control, that they're neither right nor wrong. 

I realize I must forgive myself every time I feel this - every time I face a similar situation and fail. I shall get affected and feel bad, yes, but I must remember that this is part of the growth. That I'm not yet done growing. This could be a lifetime process, but that's life - some changes, especially big ones, take a long time to occur. 

I know I have to face whatever challenge is thrown my way. I know these are all part of the test, and someday I shall reach that level of maturity that I've been hoping for. So today I may fail, I may feel disappointed, but at the end of the grieving and the frustration I shall pick myself up and move forward, advancing a little from where I've been.

I shall make this!

Once You Decide To Give Something A Go, Give It Your All.

It could be in your career. It could be in your relationships. It could have something to do with the pursuit of your one great dream. It could have something to do with the thing you've been longing for. Or it could have something to do with love and loving. No matter what area of your life is involved, always, always give it your all.

Let go. Let go of all the things that hold you back.

Direct all your energy to the task at hand. Work so hard and push your limits. Work until you sweat, until you bleed, until you feel your heart beating to the full.

Give it your all, until you feel like you have nothing more to give. Don't stop until something happens. Run in pursuit, fast, hard, until the heaven sees you and finally works its miracles to grant you your one great wish.

Let your passion consume you. Let it take full control of everything you do until you come up with that masterpiece that will be your legacy to the world.

Love. Love fully. Love until you feel like your heart cannot contain the feeling anymore. Let your love overflow. Let your love overflow and wash away any fear. Let your love overflow and drown out any doubt. Let your love overflow until you feel the world has become a better place because of that love.

It Ain't Always Good, But We Must Press On.

Life isn't perfect, and things do not always go as planned. There's up and down; sometimes we succeed and sometimes we fail. But, we should never give up.

My resolve to be better is stronger than ever at this part of the year - after all, new year is the perfect time to begin again.

And for a while I was succeeding. For a while I was at peace with myself and focused on my goal. But, now that I'm back in the jungle of daily life, balancing work and personal life and the necessities of daily survival, plus the goals I've set out to fulfill this year, it's so easy to get distracted. And, I think that I'm starting to lose control, and I'm beginning to panic.

So today, at this very moment, I'd like to remind myself that it won't be perfect all the time, and that there will be bad days. But, I must press on. I must continue. I must not lose heart.

I can make it with God's grace!