After experiencing so much personal tragedy, I’ve learned a lot and would like to take a moment to share. It may help someone out there.

I used to get annoyed, angry and hurt whenever I discovered someone I loved kept a secret from me. I have come to realize that their secret really has nothing to do with me. If it did, they would have shared it with me. The reason the person kept it a secret has more to do with them and not me.

I’ve also learned I can not control how other people view or feel about me. When I accepted this, it gave me so much freedom. Here’s a list of truths that may be obvious and cliché but others may not have even realized:

• You live for you
• You don’t live for others
• You speak YOUR truth
• You can’t control what other people think, so why would you worry about other people’s thoughts?
• You’re own worst enemy is yourself
• No one or anything is holding you back from obtaining your goal except for YOU.
• You are responsible for your own happiness- JUST YOU- No one else- YOU.
• You are NOT responsible for making someone else happy.
• Other people’s happiness is their own responsibility.
• Treat people the way you want to be treated
• You can NOT save anyone who doesn’t want to save themselves.
• Own up to your mistakes. Give a genuine and authentic apology.
• You have to FORGIVE YOURSELF- you can not control whether or not someone forgives you. You can only control whether or not you forgive yourself.
• STOP holding yourself back from doing something that is embedded in your heart and soul.
• You have ONE life. ONE.
• Be grateful and thankful.
• Breakaway from toxic relationships and activities!
• Only YOU are stopping YOU from being the best YOU can be.
• Do NOT compare yourself to other people. Their path is theirs, not yours.
• Say “NO” when you mean it. And guess what? You don’t have to provide an explanation, reason, or excuse.
• Say “YES!” when it truly is right in your soul!
• YOU be YOU.
• TRUST
• BELIEVE
• IT IS OKAY