Life Lessons

I feel life's greatest lessons are learned through those you meet and pass by in your life. The beginnings and the ends of friendships, the hardships and happy times, and everything in between. I try to take something from every person I meet to add to make me a better person. The strengths and weaknesses of other people teach me who to yearn to be and not to be. The more people I meet, the more lessons I learn. I think this is where I get the nomad in me that will take a new opportunity at the drop of a hat. Opportunities present themselves so we can take them and continue the path of life. People in your life present themselves to give you the opportunity to learn and grow.

I was talking with a couple friends the other day and they said a statement that I can't seem to wrap my head around. "We like to keep to our few friends so we have less to worry about and less pleasing to do." I couldn't imagine keeping to 3 or 4 friends only in my lifetime. The amount I would learn would be so sheltered to what those few individuals saw life as. I can see from the standpoint that the security of having your best friends in life makes you feel continuously loved and needed every second of every minute of every day. But don't you think that if they're truly a person that's supposed to be in your life forever, they'll be there through the lessons you go strive to learn and come back to share together. That's what I see a best friend as.

There are 7,013,975,045 people in the world at this very second. If you could take something from each of those people and apply it to your life (which is obviously impossible) you would come out the most genuine, whole hearted person that ever walked the earth. Don't you think that's why Jesus was such a kind person? He knew the trials and tribulations of every person and situation possible in the world. That would make any person grateful for the life they have, the people present in their lives, and the opportunities available to make the best of it all.

So when somebody comes to me and tells me "it's not worth the effort" to be somebody's friend, or to go and get to know an individual I'm going to tell them how shallow of a thought that is. You live one time in your life, one opportunity to get to know somebody, to take a chance, or to go for an opportunity presented. Each lesson opens your eyes and doors to another step in life. Live, Laugh, Love is one of the best sayings ever said. Because by living, being happy, and loving each person for who they are, you will never be let down in life and only grow to be a bigger, better, and more successful person.

I'm here for one reason, and one reason only: To take every opportunity in the one life I have and grow to become a better person through each. I met some of the most amazing people ever over the summer and that's because I took the opportunity presented by my two friends asking me if I'd like to join them for some fun later. Who knew that a few months later they would be some of the most important people to me ever. I could've been shallow and said no, I have enough friends in my life and it's too hectic to try and include you. But I didn't and it paid for itself in dividends.

I learned a lesson from that opportunity, to take every other opportunity put in front of me for the rest of my life. (As long as it's safe and sane). But who knows if the person that held the door open for you, rode on the elevator with you, or just knows you from those repeated weekend parties could be a person that would potentially touch your life forever. Don't give up chances or opportunities because you feel your life is good enough. Take chances, explore the world, and figure out that keeping to your few friends for the rest of your life isn't going to teach you more than your own biased opinions within that group of people.