Have a Good Day on Purpose
By Ingrid Muñoz
We are approaching our final day together as a class and the thoughts in my head are rushing in faster than I can keep track of them all. I try to jot down bullet points of some of my takeaways from the experience over all. I decided to flesh a few of them out a little more, make more complete thoughts out them – like affirmations to remind myself of what I’ve learned. I hope they serve you too.
What I have to say matters because only I can say it.
Nobody knows the intricacies of your mind. How can they? They did not share your exact experiences. They do not know your past. They do not know your potential. They do not know what you have learned, fought, or sacrificed.
You are special because there is only one of you.
It takes strength to stay awakened.
Contrary to what the machine would have you believe, you are not weak if you refuse to be another cog in its gears…you are not weak because you choose to take time for your mental and physical health, or for sleep instead of another hour of studying.
You are not worthless simply because it was more important to you to show someone else that they matter more than homework, or school, or even work.
I am a testament of love.
Smile at others because they might really need it. Wave. Tell them you’re happy to see them.
Tell the people you care about that you love them. Then show them.
Reach out, even if it’s been a while.
Visit the elderly, the sick, and the dying children.
Talk to that person who is by themselves. Recognize their strength to be different.
Remember, and be not ashamed to be simply human.
To be human is to fail, to get knocked down, but to stand back up.
To be human is to love shamelessly, for the sake of loving, expecting nothing in return.
To be human is to recognize humanity in those around us. Forgive yourself and others.
To be human is to be a speck on a speck on a speck on a speck on…..you get it.
I am alive. That is success.
The monster will always try to get you down, it may take everything you love, it may even take your life, but it cannot take who you are. It cannot take your influence on others, therefore make it a positive one.
The fact that I’m alive is a testament to those who loved me enough to make it possible, and to myself.
Let Go of The Past.
You did your best with what you knew at the time.
Everyone makes mistakes, perhaps the important thing is to learn from them.
Forgive yourself, be grateful for the lesson, and show others what you’ve learned.