In life, many people search for the fountain of youth. Others search for the perfect career. The rest tend to search for happiness. Well, if you noticed, in all instances, people are SEARCH-ing for something. As a child, I searched for a group of friends to belong to. After all, what else does a third world country kid do? In middle school, I searched for a place to fit in, amongst the 'popular' kids. In high school, I searched for my identity amongst my friends and all around me. In college, I searched for my major and a career. In the end, when I look back... I've always gotten what I wanted and what I searched for. Along the way, I found what I felt at the time, was happiness. What it was, was simply the momentary carnal pleasures. In fact, what I had found was something that could please me for the time being... not what really brought me happiness. Low and behold, 30 years later... I've found what it truly means to be happy. So with that, I'll let you all in on the secret... but not before I tell you the lessons that I have learned along the way. So here it goes... Lesson #01 - Never regret the things that have happened in your life, for they make you who you are today Lesson #02 - Never walk away mad, for you may not have an opportunity to 'work' on things the following day Lesson #03 - When conflicts cannot be resolved, simply walk away and let it go. The lesson you learn from it helps you in your next experience. Lesson #04 - It's okay to lose the battle, but don't lose the lesson Lesson #05 - Wear your emotions on your sleeve, for you may not have another opportunity to express how you feel. Lesson #06 - Speak your mind, for a life of rejection is better than a life of regret Lesson #07 - Sieze every opportunity, for each instance is a chance presented by GOD which tests our very ability to make a choice. Lesson #08 - Deciding not to take action or make a choice, is infact making a choice. Lesson #09 - Fear not what others think of you, for a judgement against you, is a judgement agains how GOD has created you. Lesson #10 - Risk all things to be happy, for if you don't take the risk, you have lost all chances of being happy anyhow So in light of these lessons, here comes the key to happiness in life.... Ready? Place GOD first, everyone else 2nd, and Yourself last... This, I promise you, will bring you all the happiness in the world. I've been trying to do this over the past couple years... and believe me, as many ups and downs as I've had... To see a single moment/second of joy on the face of others, tends to alleviate all the pain/hurt which I must endure throughout my lifetime. Life is not about how many people have touched your heart... rather, it is about how many hearts you have touched in the short amount of time that you have been given. The greatest form of love, is self sacrifice. Sacrificing your wants, desires, time, attention, suffering, tears, laughter, pride, money... in order to fill the lives of others with love. Do you place GOD first, and others before you??? | 
