At the very beginning of this decade, I lost my brother.

September 10, 2010.

It was the start of something that would change me and the people I loved forever. The way of life I knew, no longer existed.
Things changed.
Quickly.

With this new decade approaching and everyone making a fuss (including myself) about the energy in the air. Almost like something is ‘coming’. I can’t help but to reflect on the last 10 years of my life and how it all started.

It started at that moment. That call that still brings tears to my eyes and makes my hands shake. And I am only his sister.
Imagine my parents.
My older sister.

So what have I learned in the last 10 years that I will carry with me into this new decade? I can tell you a laundry list of motivational lessons I’ve learned like:

1 – The way you do one thing in life is most likely the way you do everything. Respect others.
2 – Show up for yourself.
3 – If you want to see what the next 5 years of your life will look like just look at your 5 closest friends.
4 – Learn to love yourself FIRST before you convince someone to LOVE YOU.
5 – Have boundaries.
6 – Be true to yourself, and who you are. Don’t dim your light because you’re scared of what others will think.
7 – Travel alone.
8 – Stop worrying about what others will think.
9 – Set high standards for yourself.
10 – Be on time (or at least try).
11 – Your word is your power.
12 – Stand for something. Even if you fail, keep going. You’re already ahead of the last guy didn’t even begin.

These are so wonderful. Right?

Here are the THREE  BIGGEST lessons I’ve learned in the last decade.

Ready for it.

YOU’RE LIFE IS NOT GUARANTEED, DO WHATEVER MAKES YOUR HEART FLUTTER! BE WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH AND SPEND MORE DAYS SMILING.

How much do we take this for granted? Even right now! Half of you are reading this and thinking: “ This is sweet!” And it is, and it’s also VALID. My biggest battle this decade was finding a balance between doing what I love and spending time with people I love. Which was more important? I still can’t answer that. Don’t think I ever will. So the conclusion: find the balance and do both. Do both, be present in the moment.

LIVE A LIFE OF PURPOSE.

We are here to serve each other. However, that looks for you is cool. Just go do it. You’ll feel so much better about your life. Promise.

HAVE FAITH IN SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF.

I am not here to tell you to pray every day or grab the bible and start memorizing. I am here to tell you that there is something so much bigger than yourself and whatever is it that you believe in, you should believe in that WHOLEHEARTEDLY. Maybe you’re an atheist and you don’t believe in anything except yourself. That’s cool. Believe in yourself. Believe that you are BIGGER than you’re emotions, thoughts and feelings and everything you want for yourself, you deserve and will have.

So, my beloved friends and community, thank you for another beautiful year and thrilling decade. May you find hope and love in the smalls things. I hope these lessons resonate with you and you share them with the people you love.

Feel free to drop more of YOUR lessons below. xx