The most splendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of your own approval. This is how happiness blooms.
So don’t wait for someone to bring you roses; plant your own garden and decorate your own soul with ideas and passions that bring you joy. You do not exist to impress the world; you exist to live your life in a way that makes you and your loved ones smile.
Stay true to your path, stay positive, and someday you will catch yourself smiling about…
1. Memories of working on a life passion.
Passion is the key, and it’s worth making sacrifices for. It’s the secret ingredient that has kept me going through some of the most painful times of my life. Because at some point, especially when the going gets tough, you have to wonder what you’re doing and why.
Over the years, I’ve questioned myself and given myself a thousand little reasons to keep working on this site, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to my core passion to explore life’s challenges and write about them.
What distinguishes many of us who are actively pursuing our dreams from those of us on the couch is that some of us have learned the hard way – perhaps through a severe loss – that life is short, and that we must capitalize on the opportunities each day gives us, on the raw potential our minds and bodies are capable of, and on every ounce of willpower we can muster to make our journeys worthwhile. Read The $100 Startup.
2. The little moments.
True wealth is the ability to experience each moment of life to the fullest.
The subtle things are often the most powerful, but sometimes we get so busy that we don’t pay attention to them. So my challenge to you is this: Open your eyes. Wake up. Be attentive. Acknowledge each wonderful gift you have. See today as another day to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations life has to offer.
Bottom line: Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.
3. The happiness you helped create.
Attitudes are catchy. Whether they’re positive or negative, they’re rubbing off on you and those around you.
So be positive. Let your intentions bleed with goodness – embodied in positive thoughts, cheerful words, and unselfish deeds – and the world will be to you a bright and happy place in which to work, play, and serve the greater good. Read The How of Happiness.
4. Relationships that weathered the storms with you.
No relationship is all sunshine, but two people can share one umbrella and survive the storm together.
In fact, the best relationships are not always the best because they have been consistently the happiest; sometimes they are that way because they have survived and strengthened through unhappy times.
5. Feeling beautiful on the inside.
As you get older, what you look like on the outside becomes less and less of an issue, and who you are on the inside becomes the primary point of interest. You eventually realize that beauty has almost nothing to do with looks; it’s who you are as a person, how you make others feel about themselves, and most importantly, how you feel about yourself.
6. Knowing that you did your best.
Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of a life unlived. You don’t have to live forever; you just have to live right now while you have a chance. Keep in mind that life doesn’t always give you second chances, so when an opportunity arises, take it.
And never give up on a dream just because of the time that’s required to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. Do what you need to do so that, at the very least, you can look back on your life someday and say, “I gave it my best shot.” Read The Last Lecture.
7. The peace in your heart.
Life is short. So focus on what matters to YOU and let go of what does not.
Remember, it is the strength of your conviction that determines your level of success, not the number of people who agree with every little thing you do. In the end, you will know that you’ve made the right decisions and followed the proper path when there is peace in your heart.
Photo by: Kees de Vos
Braja P. says
The most important thing about this post is that these are all choices that we have. And when we talk of choices, we have the freedom to choose it on our own. So, we are solely responsible to make these choices and thus define our future. The future,thus, is not something which our luck or social conditioning or environment hands over to us; it is something that we shape with our choices in the present!
Clara says
Dear Angel! I am sure that not many of us considered it before that we do not exist to impress the world. I never thought about it. Mostly we spend our efforts to make people impress which is useless in the long run. We must focus on which matters for the happiness of our loved ones 🙂
Ryan Pant says
The reflections of being nice, honest, compassionate and friendly create an environment of bliss all around. Your articles are inspiring, invigorating and uplifting. The path to happiness is within oneself. Love is the mightiest power in the world, and you’re spreading it. Thanks
Jamie says
One thing I will definitely smile about when I’m older (if I can accomplish it) is accepting myself. By that I mean learning to be truly comfortable with who I am. All my strengths, weaknesses and everything in between.
Isha says
What a wonderful post! I will be sharing this on my Facebook page =)
Merlyn says
Fantastic post – what I like best is the message of living life to the fullest by following your passion with little regard to detractors.
Lou Rodriguez says
And coming in at #8; with all the things that could have befallen you (sickness, accident, catastrophe, etc) you made it to the age where you’ve earned the right to reflect back at these 7 things and smile! 🙂
Cindy says
Thank you again, reading this actually brought tears to my eyes.
Trevor says
“Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of a life unlived.”
I love this quote. It speaks volumes of truth in just one little sentence. The greatest inspiration springs from a well of truth. Now I’ve drunk my fill.
Thank you for the refreshment.
Cheers!
Heather says
Terrific meaningful post – I want to thank you deeply for your blog. I’ve gone through a difficult period of darkness and forgot the sunshine that is in my heart. Your blog has truly helped guide me back to who I am and that I will get over the betrayal as a better person.
Teresa says
Good Morning!
I just want you to know that I love your posts. I look forward to your posts. When I forget, your posts help me remember. I value your contributions and I hope they flow freely from you for as long as we all need to see them. You are a loving, compassionate being and I hope that your life always reflects what it is you give to us!
Thank you for putting time and effort into this blog. Love Health and Happiness to you and your family.
Maria Teresa says
Yes, LOVE LIFE. When my husband passed a few years ago I realized that life is too short to waste it hating and living in misery…
anita says
Thanks for the reminder. I am older; 75 and I am trying to live a meaningful life and I love your blogs.
Daniel says
#6 –> Knowing that you did your best, is a big one for me. I’ve been buried under a mountain of debt for so long (got screwed in a bad investment), that I can’t say I’ve done my best…not even close… I’ve spent over half my life in survival mode just scraping by until I can afford to take my shot. I am very much afraid of a life unlived. I hope that someday I have the opportunity to realize my full potential.
I just turned 43, and if I died tomorrow I don’t think I could say I did any of those items…
Becky says
Your words inspire me to have a positive attitude in all I do. Thank you.
Sophia says
I send a holiday-thank you kiss to you folks! I appreciate the consistent, sound, positive and inspiring information /advice…you rock!
May your new year be just as amazing as you can make it…amen!
Aaron Black says
I heard it said once that at the end of your life you will most regret the things that you did not do.
Are we courageous enough to live the life we were born to live?
Elze says
Thank you for your inspiring posts.
Happiness is a choice, it is not someone else responsibility but your own. Being grateful for all you have in your life is a choice. Living your passion is a choice. There cannot be a greater gift of inspiration to leave our children than to see use take responsibility for our own lives; chose happiness; to lead a life of gratitude & joy and to do something we are passionate about .
Most people chose not to take responsibility and instead complain because thing happen to them.
sakthivel says
Great!!!
Joy Woodhams says
Thank you – and blessings of the Christmas Season and the coming year.
Fayaz Pasha says
Thanks again for this inspirational post. Getting old is just like a movie. Here it is our life movie. The only difference is we won’t be able to edit our movie and hence we must make meaningful choices so that we enjoy watching our life movie with less regrets.
Have a blessed day.
Cheryl says
I really get alot out of reading this site. It illuminates what truly is important in life. Our self awareness and our relationships with others. Life is such a gift and having respect and gratitude can bring such joy.
Cindy says
Very meaningful for me, especially now. It’s only in recent years that I’ve found the courage to do the things that I love to do. When you’re pursuing your passion, it’s easy to wake up with anticipation…a sense of pending joy. Love your blog! Sometimes it’s exactly what I need to hear. Wishing you all the best, this holiday season, and may your New Year be filled with joy!
The Ninja Baker says
Bless you Angel for your wisdom.
As a former model, I am ever so grateful to my parents who always emphasized brains over beauty, character over concern of current fads.
After a few decades on this planet I’ve learned that peace appears when I am present to the miracles which blossom all around us. And when I hear my heart sing with gratitude for those who have loved me even when I stumbled on this life journey.
cheri says
Your site is the first site I visit when I get online! Thank you for all these inspiring blogs.
Graham says
“And never give up on a dream just because of the time that’s required to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. Do what you need to do so that, at the very least, you can look back on your life someday and say, “I gave it my best shot.””
Thank you Angel. I needed that right now.
Kumar Gauraw says
Very inspiring post! What I liked the most is the message of living life to the fullest and to following your passion. We create future memories today and this is how we can create the memories we can be proud of when we are older.
R.Sankaranarayanan says
Very Excellent Pinpoints that make one realize and understand the value of life and to enjoy it to the fullest level. Also, I like the ways discussed of avoiding regrets for non enjoyment.
Roy says
I’ve always been inspired by the posts in this website.
Thanks much.
Have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Godbless!
Diana says
What an appropriate Christmas/New Years’ gift to all of us. Another wonderful post. Being an older person I can attest that the advice given here is spot on. Thank you.
Vanessa says
It’s already been a habit for me to drop by here. Spending time reading and internalizing the lessons of life you have prepared lifts up my spirit. Thanks a lot 🙂
Elizabeth says
I think I am going to be the only one here who slightly disagrees, I don’t mean to be funny but all this emphasis on doing all the time. It is not for everyone. The quote “Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of a life unlived. You don’t have to live forever; you just have to live right now while you have a chance.” that so many find inspiring I find daunting. I have worked all my life and now I am happy to walk the dogs and watch the flowers grow. I live alone but am not lonely. When I read this sort of quote I feel so guilty that I am not up and out there, doing. thing is I don’t want or need to be. I had a lifetime of kids and work and loved it now I like the quiet bit. I have a quote I live by and it suits me, wonder if anyone else. “Live every day as though you are going to live forever, and there is always time” Brings me peace.
Temi says
Really inspiring. 🙂
Abdul Rauf says
To make life memorable, I always do what my heart says, as long as my doing does not harm someone else. This is an inspirational post.
Edith says
Marc & Angel, you are heaven sent…been following & sharing your inspiring messages…thank you, thank you.
David says
This is wonderful. Reading this post made me smile.