There was a time when I was walking on air and I felt that things were just barely falling into place they way they should be. You can call it my road map of life. The truth is that it was the road map that everyone else had pictured for me. It is not want I really wanted. I was barely beginning to realize what it is that I wanted to pursue in life, relationships, and friendships.
Looking back, it is one of my life’s greatest lessons and I have been learning from it every single day. You can either take what is in front of you or chose to let it own you. If you are going through tough times, it is easier to let it control you than to have a positive outlook. I should know, I am still there sometimes.

I refer to this as tunnel vision, as we are all guilty of doing this at one point in time. Why is it that when we are faced with so many obstacles we don’t focus on what is going to help us to move ahead? Here are a few tips that I believe can help you in your time of need:

Find your outlet: Talk to someone whom you trust. This has to be someone who will listen to you and not just for the sake of it. This person should be able to really help you and guide you through what is really bothering you.

Find an Activity: It has been proven time and time again that finding an activity outside your normal life will make you a fulfilled person. I agree with that 100%. My outlet is blogging, working out, and dancing. You can do anything as long as it helps you to relax. Find that book that you enjoy and read it and just soak it in.

Spiritual Guidance: I am not going to say that you have to practice a certain faith or ideology. But, try to really find something that you believe in. I find that sometimes sitting alone in a religious sanctuary can provide me room to really reflect. It does not matter how you do it, but I do and it helps.

This may sound arbitrary but if you apply yourself and focus on you it will work.

This song came out a few years ago, but I still have it ready to go on my Ipod & ITunes. It is by Natasha Bedingfield “Pocketful of Sunshine”, this song in particular takes me to a place where I let my hair free and am basking in the ocean air.

I find comfort in the words and the notes that really help me to put things into perspective. On some days, it gets my creativity grooving, and others it helps me to really just brighten my spirits. This is just one of many songs but this is worth mentioning.

You might also have that one song that brings a smile upon your face. So why not use that comfort and channel that towards yourself. It is surprising how little we must do to help ourselves, but yet why do we take so long to realize it?

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” – Unknown

I am sure you all remember the sitcom “The Facts of Life.” Although, it was a comedy I found that it is a great tagline. Besides, I think you can make up your own rules to maintain accountability and a little bit of spice and sugar to add zest to your life. Really, its that simple.

So here goes, my list of The Facts of Life:

1. Life is what you make of it. Whether we want to believe this or not, it is true. ☺
2. You are in control of your choices.
3. Take a deep breath and smile, it will make a difference.
4. Make goals and achieve them.
5. Don’t take life so seriously
6. Worry less and enjoy your surroundings
7. Keep a good network of friends
8. Cherish your family
9. Create a map for what you want to accomplish, but don’t forget that detours may come along so be prepared for them.
10. Believe in hope and faith it is your spirituality that will guide you

It may sound cliché and you may have heard about these before, but it works for me. I am not saying that I am right or that I am wrong. It works for me and it has not failed me to date. So I encourage you to try this and if it does not work for you then modify it for yourself. We only have this lifetime to share our life with others and experience it to the fullest. So go for it. What are you waiting for?