Wish I knew this when I was sixteen

To My Son: 43 Steps to Life Wisdom

1 One way to feel good about yourself – you need to feel proud of yourself by growing a little each day.

2 Stay away from toxic relationships: negative people will judge you and others, then they will drag you into the state of depression, anxiety and developing bad habits.

3 Play and enjoy many things in life – there is a reason you want them – but never let your hobbies and pleasures overpower your life – threaten your health, financial security or a relationship.

4 Give to others – if you can – because you are a good person – but neverever get into a habit of pleasing others to gain their “love.”

5 Help others of course, yet don’t ever let anyone to make you feel guilty because you couldn’t solve their problems: often it’s not worth to sacrifice your own security or own sanity or often both.

6 Because you know your worth, you will never feel the need to proveto anyone that you are “good enough for them” – no one should appraise your personality.

7 Slow down, look closely at things – see a miracle in everything around you.

8 You are a beautiful person - you always were and always will be.

9 You were born very capable and you can become exceptional, but only bymoving forward with studies no matter what.

10 Be loyal to people that you love and hold on to your family, but don’t let anyone to hold you from your personal dreams and goals. Make your own decisions and life choices.

11 Stick to the “middle path” when comes to big choices – to feel good about yourself you do not need to build the biggest house among your friends. Always use common sense and be practical because security always brings bigger satisfaction.

12 Love yourself no matter what – always forgive yourself if you made a mistake, because through a mistake you gain experience. Never let a mistake or someone’s bad opinion to discourage you. Remember, those who are not making mistakes are not living life

13 Remember that though love is a key to everything, only love those your heart wants to love. Respect yourself enough by not giving your heart or your time to someone who doesn’t care for you, doesn’t appreciate you. However, keep your hope in them because most people mature and change throughout life.

14 Forgivethose who did hurt you without realizing it, but not – those who humiliated you on purpose. Sarcasmis punching with words: those who humiliate others have many insecurities about themselves and deserve to be taught a lesson.

15 Don’t tell anyone about your plans but achievements instead.

16 Do not get into a trap of being a perfectionist, instead do your best to feel proud of yourself.

17 Have a schedulefor every day: dedicating a few minutes to one thing will give enormous results –it is a real key to success.

18 Do not engage in self-pity, never let your past hunt you – do not dig in your regretful moments because you are – who you are today, not who you were yesterday.

19 Don’t ever use other person’s heart nor his time as a “healing sponge,” a solution for your insecurities: do never play with someone’s heart without genuine intentions.

20 If you feel depressed – you feel trapped – find an outlet by changing physical things in your life – do anything to move forward – but not through changing your brain with drugs, alcohol or other addictions and distractions.

21 Don’t push yourself to the highest limits or impose too many strict rules – being too demanding of yourself and others only creates an opposite effect – yourself and others will want to escape to other extremes and undo all results.

22 Be always yourself, you are unique – when you are loyal to your authenticity, this opens your true talents.

23 Those who have an empty mind express their individuality by saying, doing or displaying flashy and stupid things. Be smarter than them. But to judge, criticize or try to understand stupidity is a waste of your time.

24 Develop a habit of treating everyone with respect not depending on person’s occupation or social status: respectful attitude and good manners will be returned to you and will open many doors and hearts in your life.

25 If you cannot focus on important things, don’t fight it, but instead allow yourself to have time each day to think about whatever occupies your mind or grieve about your loss – until you are over it.

26 Make friends with only those people who are close to your spirit, not for any other reason.

27 Remember, it’s normal for friends to fall apart sometimes. As you find your personality to be overshadowed, it’s time to move on.

28. Live your life with your own brain, be smart by not trying to fit yourself in someone else’s expectation.

29 When it comes to big things in life, stick to timeless values such as having a home, family and a career, but “what,” “when,” and “how” – you choose yourself.

30 Chose things in life that you love doing, but if you “have to do” something – the best way to enjoy them is by understanding that this particular book, this particular event, or this particular person is unique and only ones given opportunity to experience it.

31 Surrounded yourself by people who understand you.

32 If you develop deep respect for someone – make them a part of your life. These people are rare gift.

33 Your self-confidence is your intuition telling you that you are capable, but it’s always the result of a work.

34 Sounds have enormous power over you because they create an atmosphere: sad music, the sounds of nature or loud advertisement. With music and sounds you can instantly change your mood, motivation, ability to focus and unleash your feelings.

35 Do ignore anyone who has reached for you – your opinion was important to someone. Always, always respond –sometimes: even “I hear you” is sometimes enough.

36 Be a person “with a surprise” rather than a “person without a surprise.”

37 Don’t try to make everyone to like you – it is impossible task, so let them mind their own business – but instead hold on to those who do appreciate you the way you are.

38 Listen to your body and your intuition before deciding on anything.

39 You don’t have to tolerate anything– speak up, change but don’t tolerate.

40 There is nothing wrong with indulging yourself with things you like or doing things you enjoy – through those you learn how to love yourself.

41. Each morning, before you pick up your phone to engage in the life of others, find two your priorities of each day, things are important to you and your family.

42. Live in a moment, remember, success should be a joyful journey, not a final destination.

43 when you like yourself enough, you will be self-sufficient and not be needing the attention of others to feel good about yourself – you will never feel lonely and bored.

Love, Mom