Age Old Advice: Listen to Your Parents.

There are so many times a week that I feel myself getting worked up about something that someone has said or done to me. I think I come off as a very tough person, but I honestly am very sensitive to what others say and do. As my mother would say I take things way too personally. You can't expect everyone to love you or what you do, that is what your parents are for! I catch myself often expecting way more of others than they are willing to give me, and finding myself disappointed when they don't live up to my expectations. A piece of advice I always find myself going back to that my parents have told me since I was a hormone raging teenager is: choose your battles. Is this worth it? What do you plan to gain from this? You realize that you are not going to change someone's mind. Most of the times if someone is disagreeing with you it is because they honestly believe that they are right, and without a knock out drag out fight you are not going to change their mind. Most likely someone is going to end up hurt. It's not worth it. It's not worth it to hurt someone's feelings or to end up being the one hurt. I'm not saying be a doormat, but sometimes the best solution is to take a deep breath and walk away. You often have to consider the source (thanks dad!). Is this person's opinion important to you? If not just keep on walking. As my mother would say, you only get one life so just be happy. Block out the negative and cherish the people that make you feel the love. This too will pass, so just be happy.

xoxox

ariel