We all have vital lessons that our years teach us and well 2018 have been a year of some key lessons for me that sure. So here are my TOP 18 Lessons from 2018:
1. Your life is yours: For so many years I lived to please others. I played by the rules, kept myself in line. Walked the narrow path. Easily controlled. Never spoke up, believing that it was my place to simply keep quiet and step in line. I wasn't living for me. I wasn't doing what Sophie wanted. Yes I travelled, yes I did hobbies I loved but when it came to people I would easily be influenced by what others told me, judgements and my own critical expectations.
This year taught me that we only get one shot at life and I am worthy of making my own rules, making a difference in my own way and it makes you far happier as a person because no matter how hard you try you can never please everyone or always succeed.
2. Sometimes fate is our friend: We may not always think the universe is on our side and often we do get dealt really tough cards but often we have to be dealt the tough cards to gain the strength keeping blossoming as a person. We have to keep faith in fate.
3. We can search forever for answers and never get anywhere: I have tried to stop looking for answers and just work on the here and now. What I know, what I can learn and what I come to discover. We can't be wasting precious time searching out answers for things that are supposed to be a mystery.
4. We win some we lose some: People and battles. We can't win them all and sometimes we have to take losses. It is often the most painful thing in the world but we have to believe that everything happens for a reason. Whether it is to teach us a lesson, for our own good or for us to gain strength.
5. Nothing is guaranteed : Cherish everything, every moment, every memory and the people in your life. All we have is now.
6. Gratitude is the attitude: Being grateful can make you happier 10 fold. Even being grateful for that cup of coffee in the morning can put you in a better mood and lights up the rest of the day. You begin to see and value the things in life that really matter. You see for yourself the material objects that give a false sense of security and false happiness. You can see in the eyes of the ones who aren't really happy and the glow from the people who celebrate life, with everyone in it.
7. People add sparkle : People add the sparkle to your life, to your memories and to your memories. They are a massive part of your ride. So cherish them and make sure they know how much they mean to you.
8. The passion powers the mission: Passion is what showcases inspiration and arms you with the motivation to keep fighting, even on the darkest of days. Without passion, it is like going into battle without a weapon. You won't make it past the start line.
9.I found my voice and calling in life: What makes me happiest in the world is helping others. I want to use my circumstances in a positive manner to inspire and make a difference for the better. If I can succeed at doing this, I can rest happy. There is always so much more to do ,ways to help and projects that will make a difference that for sure help heal me as well as others. I found my voice and I didn't allow fear to stop me for fighting not just for myself but for fellow warriors.
10. Your expectations are often unrealistic: We all have high expectations for us and this year I have realised that mine have been seriously high and often stupid for myself. It is a hard habit to crack and often when have blips with steps back. We can't categorise ourselves as normal because we are all unique with different circumstances. We have to be realistic and compensate towards ourselves which is often easier said than done.
11. Comparing is a toxic game: We are all unique, so comparing ourselves to others is just asking for trouble. It causes nothing but self-loathing, criticise and sadness. We all have things we want to improve or hope would be different. We spend a lot of our time highlighting the negatives when we should be celebrating the strengths.
12. You are worthy: You are worth it, in all senses of the matter. It is something that is a daily struggle for me which I know needs extra work.
13. Give your time to the ones that give you their time: Don't waste precious time on people who don't return the love, friendship and kindness. Spend your time wisely and these people will light up your life. Rather than you being the constant light for people who are constantly searching for the darkness.
14. Time is precious: TIME IS PRECIOUS - nothing more needs to be added!
15. Fears are stupid, facing them is so much more exciting: Fears cause so much upset and anxiety but having the strength the challenge them when you want to run is the best feeling in the world. Proving to you that you are stronger than any fear or mental blocks you have.
16. Positivity is a frame of mind that should be practised every day: Positivity is the key to seeing the beauty of life. With the key you can unlock doors you believed would never be available to you and the possibilities become endless. This mindset is also so inspirational for other people too and a little infectious because people want a dose of your medicine.
17. Love and kindness are what makes the world go round: What is the point of living without them. They are the strongest drugs in the world and the biggest healers. No pills can ever get close to the effect love and kindness has on us.
18. Nothing is ever off the table: be open to new opportunities, adventures and projects. The phrase is 'I'm possible.' NOT 'impossible.' If I have not shown you proof of this, this year I wouldn't know how to.
There is of course, lots more lessons I learnt along the road but I feel these are the most important ones. It has been quite a year and I have to say I am proud about the lessons I have learnt, how I have blossomed, the strength I have gained and the wiser I feel I have become. Life is the biggest lesson and 'job' any of us take on. We never know what lies ahead but we have to keep love in our hearts, fire in our belly's and make the best of the one shot we have. There isn't a re-play button or a repeat, we have to keep moving forward and growing in the process. We will all have regrets, we are human but like mistakes they are vital lessons and are the bumps in the road that make our stories REAL and relatable.
We are all mysteries waiting to be solved, but maybe that is the plot twist -- we are never really solved or an open and shut case.
Thank you all for all the love and support this year, I am so grateful to you all and you all mean the absolute world to me. THANK YOU.
Let's see what 2019 holds. We hold the key, we can define our lives. Thanks 2018 you were one I will never EVER forget.
Sophie
xoxo