Don't Forget Who You Are

Artwork by Kate Ylagan

Don't forget who you are.

When things are tough, know what you are made of. Remember that you are a warrior, a survivor. No matter how ugly the cards you've been dealt with are, you are strong enough to rise above the challenges. Keep pushing and keep it as steady as the beat of your heart. Do not let the dark of the night consume your inner light. It might be a cliché but, just in case, know that the strongest steel are forged in fire.

Don't forget what you believe in.

When push comes to shove, don't compromise your values. Remember your principles and stick to them if you know you are right. Make sure your judgment is guided by your compass and know that having a different opinion than everyone else in the room does not make you wrong. Always craft a smart argument, as the best skill at warfare one could ever have is to be able to influence people without engaging in a fight. And even in arguments, do not allow yourself to spew poison and be cruel.

Don't forget what you could do.

When everything's looking up, remember to pay it forward. Good deeds spark hope and no matter how small it seems, it might mean the world to person who's been having a bad day. The world has turned colder, figuratively - you can feel lonely even when you're with company or in a crowd because selfishness seems to be a norm. In times like these, random acts of kindness go a long way. But do not do these out of feeding your ego or simply to make you feel better knowing that some people have it worse. Be generous, be sincere.

Keep your heart in the right place and don't forget who you are.


RM

To see more of Kate Ylagan's works, visit her Facebook page Obra ni Keyt.