KWEE Liberian Literary Magazine Jan. Iss. Vol. 0115 Apr Iss. Vol. 0415 | Page 16

Liberian Literary Magazine April Issue 0415 Instead, give yourself permission to make mistakes. Lots of them! We are too hard on ourselves. Our happiness or unhappiness can’t be based on our performance. We can’t kick ourselves when we’re down. Just because you fail, it doesn’t mean you are a failure. Internalize that statement. But, what if we make a grave mistake, you ask? No matter what it is, we must move on. Ultimately, we have to look for some resolution. I have had to do this numerous times in my life. I venture to say, you have too. You must learn just to let things go. We need to learn to let go of what we cannot change. Next time you make a mistake, do this – pat yourself on the back, forgive yourself, and move on. Y – Yearn For the Best: The Best. Yearn for it. Go for it! Why wouldn’t you? Why shouldn’t you? You hear people say all the time, “Go for the gusto!” They don’t mean hap-hazardly. Gusto means, “vigor, enthusiasm, relish, enjoyment, delight, glee, pleasure, satisfaction, zest, spirit, and fervor.” In other words, with ALL of your might, your soul, and your strength. Let’s face it. The “best” is what we all want. Truth be told, no one wants or even desires a mediocre life. No one wants to live or have a “ho-hum” existence. How boring would that be? That would be no fun and bring no lasting happiness. Bored people are unhappy people. As a high school English teacher, I told my students daily to be the best and give it their best. Today, you can do that. You can choose the best. Today, you can choose to be happy. Simply, remember these keys: 1. Have expectation 2. Appreciate life 3. Permit mistakes 4. Purpose to live 5. Yearn for the best Sending you much happiness, Janice Almond P - Purpose to Live: I talked a little bit about this in an earlier newsletter. Living your life “on purpose.” You need to find a purpose for your life or why you’re still living. C.S. Lewis, a British theologian, once said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." How old are you? I’ll be sixty-three in August of this year. Man, that sounds old! Where did all those years go? I am finding a purpose to live. I saw this quote just today. “Just because the past didn’t turn out like you wanted it to, doesn’t mean your future can’t be better than you ever imagined.” Exactly! I concur. Anyway, none of us has an unblemished past. Our only saving grace is to discover anew how we can be useful. Anyway, what IS age? Only a number. I read on a poster once many years ago this phrase, Attitude more than age determines ability. If you are determined to have a purpose for living, you will find one. My challenge to you is to persevere through whatever obstacles or issues you may be facing. Remember, you only fail if you quit! www.janicealmondbooks.com www.facebook.com/janicealmondauthor www.facebo