11 Signs You’re Doing Better Than You Think

1. You are alive.

2. You are able to see the sunrise and the sunset.

3. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.

4. You awoke this morning with a roof over your head.

5. You had a choice of what clothes to wear.

6. You haven’t feared for your life today.

7. You have overcome some considerable obstacles, and you have learned and survived.

8. You often worry about what you’re going to do with your life – your career, your family, the next step, etc. – which means you have ambition, passion, drive, and the freedom to make your own decisions.

9. You have a friend or relative who misses you and looks forward to your next visit.

10. You have access to the Internet.

11. You can read (my favorite).

(MARCANDANGEL).

A List To Live By

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. Its OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14 If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years will it matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone for everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family will.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

(MarcandAngel).

Cut People Some Slack (My Story)

I was in the queue to check into an hotel when a man probably in his early 40's brisked pass me so fast that he nearly knocked me off. The hotel security was quick to point out to him that there is a queue and he will have to be behind me. The man glanced at me with scornful eyes and responded in a fierce voice 'Nonsense. I am checking in now.' His accent gave him away as French. The hotel security were going to begin a scene but I told them not to bother, that I will wait.

Interestingly, there was another opening at an alternative check in counter so I simply made my way there. I was still concluding my check in modalities when I heard the same French man screaming at the hotel attendant. Clearly, there was an issue with his booking and he was not taking any prisoners on that. He was making his feelings known, never mind that the fault might have been his.

I had finished my check in modalities but I observed that this man was still there, cursing and somewhat flustered. I told the concierge to take my stuff to the room and I remained there, determined to have a conversation with this man. Not to return his insults but to make it clear to him that he should learn some decorum and respect others. So I waited and waited.

Eventually, the man was asked to wait at the reception as further confirmation was required to validate his booking. It was at this point I approached him, still poised to 'clear him.' However, as I approached where he was seated I noticed that his eyes were heavy, his shoulders slumped and his countenance was uneasy. I changed my script at this point and simply said 'Hi.' He looked up at me and was quick to say how sorry he was for the earlier episode. He added that he was having a rough patch. Curious, both genuinely and in a typical 'amebo' way I was quick to tell him that his apology was accepted and that I didn't come to start another scene. He was grateful. Then I asked him what was wrong. He told me that he was just flying in from France on a company business and that he had to leave his 7 year old son behind who was battling a severe brain tumour. His only child. He further mentioned that his wife had just passed away. He clearly didn't want to make the trip but he had to as this was critical for his company. Hence, everything was getting to him.

I felt sad for him. I had no words but to just listen to him and all I could say at the end was 'Take it easy. It will be fine.' Thankfully, his booking had been sorted at this point. He thanked me and we parted ways.

Truly, we are all going through stuff. To recognize this is to be easy on people. Most often than not, people's reaction towards you is not always about you. There is a 'world' they are reacting to. You are only an outlet. Even when your ego is bruised and you want to rightly stand up for yourself, remember this truth and just be nice and kind.

For when all is said and done, we will all have bad days. Days when our tempers will flare, days when life will stretch our patience and circumstances will almost bring us to a breaking point. The key is that we cut people some slack on their bad days, safe in the thought that the world will be easy on us too on our worse days.