1. move beyond the need of acceptance
People can accept me or not. It does not matter. I am me and I am doing what I love. I love being me. Acceptance is for those who lack vision and purpose. Acceptance is just mind games in the end. We can accept, reject, and waste time with thinking about it. I am free.
2. know thyself
I know who I am. I know what I want. I know what I need. I know how I operate. I know my strengths. I know my weaknesses. I know my purpose. I know my dreams. I know my path. I know how and why I am doing what I am doing.
3. seeing things for what they REALLY are
There are things that are good for us and things that are bad for us.
The good things take us closer to the core of reality and the essence of true being and real, long-term pleasure.
I shall not see things for being something more or less then they really are.
Poison is poison. Drugs are drugs. Nature is nature. Fruit is fruit. Truth is truth. There is science, there is art, there is fiction, there is entertainment. I am just a man. I live on a planet in a galaxy in a universe. . I was born. I will die. I want to live a great life. My role is to live in congruence with myself, those around me and the environment which allows me to continue this precious life.
4. knowing what to hold on to and what to release
I’ve seen the darker sides of human nature and I’ve suffered loss, heartbreak, sorrow, pain. I’ve felt the beauty and joy that can be felt. All my past glories and tragedies have shaped who I am. I will use it all as a well of knowledge and experience to guide me to my future years and thus all my adversity is a gift. I will not let fear, anger and other negative emotions dictate my actions but instead turn them around into positive energy which leadeth me ahead.
5. remember to have a sense of humor & that life is goofy fun
Deep stomach churning laughter is essential to be strong at heart. I will not take myself too seriously at all times. When I fail and fall on my ass I will laugh and smile about it with my closest friends and even strangers. Having fun and being goofy is the life and blood of that inner child that starts to slumber in too many a man all too early. I am certain that frowning, apathy and coldness are completely unnecessary characteristics of a man who wants to make the world a better place. Damn that sounded gay, haha.