For My 16-year-old Self

If there were two things that I would tell my sixteen year old self they would be these two things: 

First, take all things seriously. 

Second, don’t take every thing seriously. 

I know these two contradict each other, but hear me out.

Take things seriously means what it is literally: live your life seriously as if it is your last day on earth. No, not like the last day on earth where you do all “fun” things, but as if you are making a mark in history, where you are and will be remembered. I know it sounds cliché, and you have heard this over and over again. But I will repeat it again. Please enlighten me.

Take your life seriously, take your studies seriously, and take your exams seriously… Take care of your health, take care of your body, and take care of your spiritual life –because sometimes, some of us needs a higher being to hold on, and lean to.

Take your friendships seriously, your family and relatives seriously, your relationships seriously, even your girlfriend or boyfriend. Take those seriously, deepen them, and make them more meaningful, and to not take your relationships for granted. Make every moment a happy and a Kodak moment. Your relationships are part of you. Like the saying goes “you complete me,” relationships complete you in a way no matter how you deny it or say you are a loner.

But In life nothing or no one is perfect. Don’t take every thing seriously. If you make a mistake, it is okay. If you trip in life, get back up and dust it off. Laugh at your self and at life on your and its conundrums. If you fail at a test, it doesn't make you any less intelligent.  If someone says bad things at you or behind your back; If someone bullies you or does harm you one way or another does not make you less of a person –less good, less kind, less beautiful. If you fail in a relationship it doesn't make you alone in this world. It is how you get back up. It is how you correct and avoid making the same mistakes, and learn in life –that’s what matters. How you laugh of and celebrate life and their imperfection –that’s what matters. It is your positive attitude and outlook than mainly cultivate life’s meaning and purpose.

So again, I say unto you and especially to all of sixteen year olds out there: Take life seriously, and not seriously. It’s all up to you.