My friend likes to declare straightforwardly in his Swiss-accented English, "I don't care what other people say or think - it's MY life and it is up to me to decide how to live it!"
I love that independent attitude, and believe it with all my heart too.
Life is short. Too short for us to waste precious time bothering about what other people think or say about us.
So do what you want with your life, because its YOURS, and don't let other people's rules govern the way you think or act - we were not born to follow.
Be crazy. Laugh your heart out. Have a good time just for the sake of having a good time. Love with your soul. Smile even when you feel like giving up. Have a good cry every now and then if you must, and then get back up on your feet. Dare to risk looking "stupid" in the eyes of other people, because it is the one who dares to be different and unique who will achieve great things. Turn your face to the skies and feel the raindrops patter on your cheeks. Forgive, even when it seems impossible. Treasure your friends, your family, the big and small moments. Reason with your head, but listen to your heart. Believe in the Limitless power of thinking positively. Dance if you love to dance, and don't care about who's watching. Be open. Stay true to what your heart believes, no matter who laughs at you. Express yourself, in word, in art, in song. Don't judge. Pause to look up at the heavens and appreciate the beauty. Push yourself to the limit, and remember to reward yourself for it. Be passionate. Let go. Do the things you like, eat the food you like, listen to the music that you like. Spend atleast 5 minutes in silence and reflection each day. Define "awesome." Never be too busy living that you forget to actually LIVE.
And at the end of it all, we will look back and laugh at ourselves for the silly crazy things we did, and smile at the awesome memories, and be amazed that some of the "stupid" choices turned out to be way greater than we ever dreamed or imagined!
THAT's my idea of living life to the fullest, of one day leaving behind a legacy so rich and vibrant that generations later will hear your name and remember you as that amazing person who truly understood what it meant to Live.
