Life is a precious gift. In the grand scheme of things, each of our lives is but a short chapter in the story of the universe. So, it is only right that we live them to the fullest and make the most of all that comes our way, especially the good, and the opportunities. Sure, it’s not always going to be easy, sometimes it may take courage to take an opportunity and use it to better our lives, to draw out the good that is there even when it takes some effort to get to. So how do we do all we can to truly live our best lives?

First, we must always be willing to adapt and make the most of whatever is thrown our way. I think many of us would agree that last year in particular was a challenge and changed the course of each of our lives. But that doesn’t have to throw our lives off kilter. It all comes down to how we react, how we deal with these times, that shapes the greater course of our lives. These are the times when we must be open to exploring new paths, with our core intentions being to pursue happiness and to grow as a human being. We should also be gratuitous for all the things that really matter to us. Sometimes it’s worth just taking some time to reflect and focus on all that life has given us, being thankful for these amazing parts of our lives. There is something truly eye-opening about reflection. It puts everything into perspective. Often we can get caught up in the rush of the world, so just slowing down for a bit and reflecting on our lives and all that surrounds them can help us to recognize what really matters to us.

It is also important that we are open to new opportunities that may present themselves. Sometimes it can be daunting to try something new, to venture into the unknown, to take a risk. That is perfectly understandable; after all, we are all human, and fear of the unknown is something that affects most of us to some degree. But taking advantage of an opportunity and venturing into unknown can be life changing. It can open up worlds that we never imagined, or only ever dreamed of. We might meet new people we never would have met if we didn’t take a leap of faith. And we might just create a better life for ourselves with all the experience that we gain from going for it. We can never be certain what lies ahead on our journey that is this life, but if we are willing to embrace new opportunities, to embrace what the world throws at us, it can truly enrich our lives.

We cannot live our lives in fear. This only leads to a life of misery, and that is no way to live. This kind of follows on from the previous point. Life is full of risks, that’s just the way of the world. But we can deal with those risks, we can manage them. If we just submit to them and let them control us, we are only limiting our lives, limiting our potential. We will never get anywhere in life if we don’t take risks. There are times in our lives when we want to do something, but uncertainty and fear of negative outcomes can keep us from doing so. We might even find ourselves becoming self-conscious (trust me, I’ve been there), but pushing past that can be so rewarding. Yes, it can be nerve-wracking, but you never know what might come of it. It could just be the greatest thing you ever do. There is no point living in fear of the unknown when that unknown might just be one of the best parts of your life just waiting to enter.

Another important factor in living our lives to the fullest is spending time with those we care about, those in our lives who matter to us. Life can get busy, but it is important that we don’t forget our family, friends and loved ones. We should take the time to talk with them, to see them, to spend quality time with them. Too often people let the constant hustle and bustle of life get in the way of seeing those they care about, and those who care about them. As I said at the outset, life is short. So, we need to make sure we always come back to the things that really matter, and the people that really matter to us. There will be people in our lives who will always be there for us no matter what. Of course most of the time this consists of family, but sometimes it will be friends, and, on rare occasions, it might be someone truly special who comes along and brightens up your life. Make sure you spend time with these people and form incredible connections.

Now there are probably a whole bunch of other points I could make, but I’ll finish off with this one: Always do what makes you happy. This seems like a pretty obvious one, but it’s one we can easily forget with all the pressures in this world. Everyone has something that makes them happy, or something that they can pursue that will make them happy. It might be a dream you’ve had for a while that you want to chase, or it might be a hobby you have that you want to take further. Maybe it’s a job you want to get, maybe it’s a job you already have. No matter what it is, if it makes you happy, do it. Too often outside pressures can put us on a path that we really don’t want to be on, one that makes us unhappy. This can easily lead to a range of problems, becoming detrimental to our mental health, and by extension affecting our day-to-day lives (eg. Mood, motivation, etc.). Life is far too short to be doing something that is not fulfilling, something that doesn’t bring good into your life, that doesn’t bring you happiness. So, set your sights on what makes you happy and go for it.

As I mentioned, there are probably a multitude of other things I could discuss here, but I think the points above are the most important ones. Recently I finished reading Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules For Life, and it was probably one of, if not the best book I’ve ever read. I would highly recommend it to everyone. In fact, I’d say it’s a must read. I suppose the above points could be seen as my own rules for life, or at least rules for living a good, fulfilled, and happy life. Life is what we make it. It’s up to us to take ownership of our lives, to live the best lives we can no matter the circumstances or what might be thrown at us, to take time to reflect, to show gratitude for the people and things that really matter to us, to spend time with those we care about and the people that are always there for us, to take risks, to leap at new opportunities, and to always do what makes us happy. Make sure you live a life that you can look back on with no regrets and only gratitude for every moment.

Life is a truly special gift. Make the most of every moment.