Ways to know that nothing bad happened to you

“At a deeper level you are already perfect. When you know that, there is a wonderful power in what you are doing. ”~ Eckhart Tolle

At seventeen years I had it all. I mean As As, was vice president of the Honor Society, held two jobs, led the fourth community theater, and joined the Donnie Osmond stage as part of a children's choir for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I was busy. I did things right. I got attention. I was ready to shoot.

I was so hungry for success and acceptance I would do anything to get it, even if it meant hard work and weight loss straight to the ER.

Worse yet, I was always dissatisfied with everything I did. I was my piercing bag.

Thirteen years later I do not do much. I don’t do classes. I'm not very active right now. I'm not doing well. On the other hand, I still beat myself up.

I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up - something is wrong with me.

I live in the whole country from my family and I have never forgiven you for being a great success - something is wrong with me.

I'm worried about improving myself, but I'm not perfect yet - something is wrong with me.

Ima. Revelation. Get the brilliance: There is nothing wrong with me.

And there is nothing wrong with you.

Here's how I know that both statements are true:

1. You play the game of life to the best of your ability and try to get better every day.

You can’t do the best for someone else, so there’s no point in pressing on it.

2. You make mistakes like everyone else, which allows you to learn as you go along.

That means you are doing what you should be doing.

3. You are different, whether you are an income or an exit, book wisely or with street intelligence, art or technology…

… The list goes on and on. You are the only chance the world has to get to know someone like you. The only hope is to share what you can do.

4. There is no such thing as how you should be.

If you do what you enjoy and don't hurt other people, you are living a good life.

5. You can never be someone else - you are human right now…

… Whether you are influencing millions of people or referring to just one person. Your influence is powerful, whether you realize it or not.

6. If someone hurts you, you don't deserve it.

No one does. End of conversation.

7. You feel the emotions and respond to them.

That's the way all this human thing works. If you had the courage to improve your response, newsflash: everyone would know.

8. You have a pulse right now, and it’s your choice what you do with it.

There is no right or wrong answer. (Unless you want to disable the puppy or something else that is the opposite.)

9. You choose what you think is best, otherwise you would not choose.

As you gain new knowledge and grow stronger and wiser, you will choose something different.

10. She is beautiful, inside and out.

I printed this out and put it in my nightstand where I could read it when I found it difficult for me. I hope it gives you comfort when you start to think that there is a good reason not to be happy right now.