TwentyTwo.

(May 4, 2009)

Life is a mess. Things never go right, you hardly ever get what you want, and everything that you do to prevent something else from happening fails. You love, you get hurt, and then you live in fear. You miss out on chances and then have regrets that turn your stomach every time you think about them and they can eat you alive. The worst part about a regret is that you can have one from doing something, or from not doing something. They're unbiased.
You have friends, and you have acquaintances. Ninety-nine percent of the time your friends will come through, but keep your eye open for that one other percent. Sometimes people will surprise you.
When you realize you love someone, tell them. Eventually the clock will make its rotation, and the moment will be gone. Don't let that be a regret you add to your list.
Remember that you have no idea what another person is going through. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Be careful with other peoples hearts. More than likely you've had yours broken, so if you aren't going to give one hundred percent or don't think something is going to last, let it go before the other person is in too deep to avoid the pain from detachment.
Don't spend your time being angry. You can hold a grudge for days, or you can talk it out and make the most of it. "Every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back."
And live for yourself. Never change yourself to fit the needs or wants of another person. You've only got one life, and it doesn't last forever. Don't waste your time being too careful, or too safe. If you do, you'll waste too much time and miss out on a million great experiences.
Have fun. It doesn't matter if you look stupid. The more ridiculous you look now, the funnier it will be when you look back on it.
Laugh as much as you can. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh.

Take risks. Try new things. Meet new people. Get out there. Live.
It only takes a second for your world to be completely turned upside down, or for it to end.
Don't let that happen before you're done living.