As another year approaches, I’ve been reflecting on how much life has changed over the last year(s) for me…I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown so much as a young woman. One thing I’ve learned is you can’t change anyone else but yourself, no matter how much you ask them to or fight with them, you can’t make anyone do something if they don’t want to do it themselves. I’ve learned that people come and go and that’s ok, not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever, some people enter our lives solely to teach us lessons in life that will help us become better individuals. I’ve learned that change is okay and although I still haven’t mastered how not to be scared of change, I’ve learned that change is inevitable. I’ve learned that you can’t make people love you or care about you as much as you love or care about them, and you can’t make people even love or care about you at all actually. Not everyone has the same mindset or heart as you do. Some people will never care about what you say. Some people will never take you serious until you walk away. We must learn to stand up for ourselves and for what we believe. Sometimes you must make tough decisions to stand your ground and make your point. No man is ever worth you making a fool of yourself. No person is worth making you feel miserable. No person is worth your happiness. You control your life and what you allow. Be stingy with your time and your feelings. Not everyone has your best interest in mind. Sometimes all people care about is themselves and no one else. Make yourself a priority but don’t forget to take others (those you truly care about, not just anyone) into consideration.