16 Things I've Learned By 16

1. People won't always treat you like you treat them; be mad, frustrated, but don't you dare take it out on anyone.
2. Do whatever you can to make people happy. Go out of your way to walk that dog, bake that cake, or write that letter.
3. Smile. Always.
4. Don't settle. Know what you deserve and don't tolerate any less.
5. Crying is not a sign of weakness. Cry. Cry hard, cry long, and cry loud. Sometimes you need some tears to allow you to see the world a little clearer.
6. Accept all of the help you're offered. Don't be too stubborn.
7. Cut off the people who treat you less than the best. You don't owe them a response or any sympathy at all.
8. Cherish the small things: the little insiders, the stupid messes, and the corny jokes. The small things become the big things.
9. This is a quote by C. S. Lewis, "Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." Tests and trials aren't meant for you to break down and lose hope, to push you up and beyond the issues, and strengthen yourself.
10. If you know something is wrong, speak up. Advocate, scream at the top of your lungs until you're heard,.
11. You will make mistakes. Don't dwell on them; don't ignore them. Accept them and learn from them.
12. Success won't be found overnight. It will entail more rejection than you ever thought possible and you'll consider giving up more times than you'll consider continuing. But don't ever give up.
13. Be slow to punish, but swift to reward.
14. Find your passion, determine your goals and ambitions, and don't stop until you get there.
15. The greatest triumph you will ever encounter isn't when you get knocked down, but your journey recovering and rising after the fall.
16. Things will never go as you hope or anticipate, and that is okay.