Sometimes not getting what you want is for "your" best.

Not everything that you desire, whether it is something material, a job, a person, will necessarily be good for you in the long run.  You have to trust in God, or the Universe, that you will get exactly what you need at this particular time in your life.  Maybe not getting what you want will lead you to something better.  Or maybe you are being taught a life lesson, such as humility, patience, or perseverance.  God works in mysterious ways and should be trusted. 

Get in touch with your magnificence

At the center of your being is an infinite amount of love, joy, and beauty.  Don't spend your life focusing on what you aren't or what other people perceive you to be.  Don't think about what is wrong with you, or harbor feelings of not being good enough.  Get in touch with your inner self - your divine self.  Meditate on the infinite treasure within you and it will reflect to the outer world your true magnificence.

Be a person of good character.

When something is hard, but you do it anyway, you get stronger for having done it.  That's what builds character.  A person with good character is someone who is trustworthy, ethical, has self-discipline, is fair, kind, responsible, and treats people with respect.  A good example of someone who has good character would be a person who stands up for or befriends someone who is considered different.  It may be someone you go to school with that is of a different race, someone who has a handicap, or someone who is constantly being bullied.  Be someone with strong character.  Don't be afraid to stand up for what is right.

Failure is a stepping stone to success.

Don't let failure have a negative hold on your thoughts and emotions.  Instead of mentally punishing yourself for not succeeding, applaud yourself for trying.  It is easy to sit back and do nothing, to avoid failure, but it takes courage to pursue a dream.  To try and fail is better than not trying at all, because within each failure there is a greater opportunity for success.  Remember, success is the destination and failure is how you get there.

Smile

A smile is something you can share with others - won't cost you a thing - and has plenty of rewards.  A smile is contagious.  It can make you more attractive, help relieve stress, and improve your overall health.  A smile can leave behind a trail of happiness wherever it goes.  A smile can light up a room and change the mood of anyone who comes in contact with it.  Smile, and watch how people are drawn to you.

Your word is your bond.

You may think it is okay to let someone down, to say something you don't mean, or to fail to follow through on something you said you would do, but it's not.  Not keeping a promise is the same as disrespecting yourself.  If you don't follow through, it communicates to that person that you don't value them.  Imagine how you would feel if someone said they were going to do something for you but didn't.  Never promise what you can't deliver.  Before you make a commitment ask yourself if it is something you will actually do, and if it is...do it.

Keep your eyes on your own paper.

When I tell you to keep your eyes on your own paper, I am not talking about taking a test in school. What I'm trying to tell you is to keep focused on your own life.  Quit looking over your shoulder or making sideway glances to see what everyone else is doing.  We each have our own path to follow.  Keep your eyes on your own road map and don't care where everyone else is going.  That is their path, not yours.  If you follow someone else's path you will soon find yourself lost.  Don't cheat yourself.  It's the only way to get an A in life.

Embrace diversity.

The world is a diverse place, filled with people from different cultures, different religions, and different races.  As my grandchild you were born into a diverse family, so you already know that beneath outer appearances people are all the same.  Unfortunately, the differences between us have caused bigotry, fear, and even hatred.  If everyone could learn to accept and appreciate the differences of others; together we could overcome prejudice and live in a more peaceful and harmonious world.

Love yourself unconditionally.

Love and honor yourself just the way you are.  Believe you are enough and treat yourself with compassion and kindness.  Be gentle and loving with yourself like you would a tiny baby or helpless animal.  No one in the entire world is more deserving of your love than you are.  It is only through loving yourself, that you can truly love others.  Your daily mantra to yourself should be, "I love myself just the way I am."  God and I love you because you are special and loveable.  If you see yourself through our eyes there would never be any doubt.

Your opinion's matter.

Don't be afraid to raise your hand in class to ask a question or give an answer.  Many times we are afraid we might have the wrong answer or that someone might laugh at us if we ask a dumb question, but you will be surprised how often you are right and how valuable your insight is.  There is an old Chinese proverb that says, "He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes.  He who never asks a question remains a fool forever."  You never know until you ask.

Feel the fear and do it anyway.

The fact is, we are all afraid of something, but once you work through the fear you will find the fear dissipates and you gain more confidence.  Whether it‘s fear of public speaking, fear of flying, or even fear of clowns, you can take steps to get past it and come out way ahead.  It may be as simple as analyzing the fear.  Ask yourself what is the absolute worst thing that could happen if you did what you fear most.  Then think about the absolute best thing that could happen.  The fear of not doing it is greater than the fear of doing it.  So, like the Nike ad’s say, “Just do it!”

Laugh every day.

It's true what they say.  Laughter is the best medicine.  I believe a laugh a day, keeps the doctor away.  Humor is infectious. When shared, laughter brings people together and increases happiness.  Laughter also creates healthy changes in the body.  Doctors claim humor and laughter can strengthen your immune system, give you more energy, reduce pain, and ease the effects of stress on your body.  So, be silly and laugh.  Watch a funny movie, read a funny book, tell jokes, or tickle someone.  Most importantly, don't take yourself so seriously.  Being able to laugh at yourself, is not only a valuable trait, but also builds character.

Good manners never go out of style.

Having good manners show respect and consideration for others.  Be courteous and polite.  Remember to say please, thank you, excuse me, and you're welcome whenever appropriate.  If someone will be entering the door after you, wait a couple seconds and hold the door open for them.  Don't chew with your mouth open, learn good table manners.  When you get your driver's license be a courteous driver. When someone gives you a gift or does something nice for you, show your appreciation by sending them a thank you card.  You will find that many people today don't have good manners, so be the exception.  People notice when you're courteous and respectful toward them.  Good manners are free and they make the world a better place.

Take care of your teeth.

A great smile is one of your greatest assests, so take good care of your teeth.  Brush your teeth, and use mouthwash, at least twice a day.  Floss daily, and see your dentist regularly.  When you take good care of your teeth they can last a lifetime and you may never have to get dentures.  Nothing says good health quite like a happy, healthy mouth.
Your Great Grandfather stressed the importance of brushing your teeth while I was growing up.  He believed an unhealthy mouth can cause bad germs and sickness, which is very true.  He also believed caring for your teeth is a part of good hygiene, which is directly related to self-esteem, self-confidence, and motivation.  In other words, not brushing your teeth is a sign of laziness.  One day when my sister and I forgot to brush our teeth, your Great Grandfather made us sit in the kitchen with a bucket, and brush our teeth for an entire hour.  That was certainly no fun, and we learned our lesson.  So take care of your teeth so I don't have to teach you a lesson. : )

Take care of your feet.

Your feet have to support you your entire life.  The average person will walk more than 100,000 miles by the time they are 80 years old.  Your feet aren't like car tires that you can replace every 50,000 miles, they have a life time warranty.  So treat them well.  Pamper them.  Always buy good quality shoes. It might be costly, but it's one of the best investments you can make for yourself. 

True happiness can only be achieved by loving yourself.

When your life is filled with stress and unhappiness look inward.  You are probably out of balance and have lost your sense of self.  During these times try prayer, meditation, taking a walk, or even listening to your favorite music.  Once you take time to get in touch with your inner self, you create balance in both your inner and outer world.

You are responsible for your own happiness.

Don't expect "someone" or "something" to make you happy.  People and material things can contribute to your happiness, but only you can make yourself happy.  It is unfair to place the burden of your happiness on someone else's shoulders.   That's a heavy load for anyone to carry, which in itself can create a lot of unhappiness.  You also don't want people dictating when and if you are to be happy.  Take responsibility for your own happiness.  The happiness you get from things like, toys, clothes, cars, jewelry, etc., are fleeting. True happiness comes from within. If you can remember this, you will have found the "key" to happiness.