Take a minute to remember.

As I reflect upon the successes, miseries and past loves of my life, I chanced upon something of many years ago that reminded me of who I was, who I am now and how I got here. It comforted my awkward soul and re-taught me the very essence of life. Sometimes in life, all we need is to take a minute to remember.

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they are meant to be there. They serve some sort of purpose, to teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are and who you want to become. You never know who these people may be; your roommate, neighbour, professor, long lost friend, lover or even a complete stranger, who, when you lock eyes with, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you and at that time, they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection, you realize that without overcoming those obstacles, you would have never realized your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests if they be events, illness or relationships, life would be a smoothly paved or straight flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affected your life and the successes and downfalls you experience, they are the ones who create who you are. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. Those lessons are the hardest and probably the most important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks you heart, forgive them, for they have helped you to learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them. Love is not destroyed by a single failure or won by a single caress. It is a lifetime venture in which we are always learning, discovering and growing.

When you think of your past love, you may view it as a failure. But when you find a new love, you view the past as a teacher. In the game of love, it doesn't really matter who won or who lost. What is important is you know when to hold on and when to let go. You know you really love someone when you want him or her to be happy, even if their happiness means that you're not part of it.

Love is like a knife. It can stab the heart or it can carve wonderful images into the soul that always last for a lifetime. Love is supposed to be the most wonderful feeling. It should inspire you and give you joy and strength. But sometimes the things that give you joy can also hurt you in the end. Loving people means giving them the freedom who they choose to be and where they choose to be. For all the heartaches and the tears, for gloomy days and fruitless years, you should give thanks, for you know, that there were the things that helped you grow.

Make everyday count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything you possibly can, for you may never experience it again. Talk to people whom you have never talked to before and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.