14 Steps To Really Start Living And Stop Existing

We are really lucky to be given a gift so precious. But, not all of us realize the value of life. Think about the kid who came into this world and died right away. It missed seeing its family, the blue of the sky, in fact, its chances of experiencing what a true laugh really feels like also died with him.

And we? We were brought into this world, but living it was entirely upon us. And we forgot all about it. Now, most of us are busy dying while we are still alive. We aren’t grateful enough. We don’t realize life’s value. And one day, we will be lying on our beds in misery, counting hours until the heart stops beating.

But, do we want to land into that situation willingly? None of us do, of course. So, before you totally run out on your days that offer you immense opportunities to live, make sure you….

1. Quit that job you have been going to for years with a morose face

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Nobody deserves to be unhappy for years at a stretch and call it a life! Keep doing efforts, but while busting your butt to make some money, don’t stop respecting yourself.

 

2. Stop breathing for someone else

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We make our lives by ourselves, for ourselves. It is our decisions, our risks, our mistakes that keep us walking towards the land of all things fine. But, if we start to please everyone on our journey, our ultimate goal will become a blur. We will lose the track of our road.

 

3. But, be closer to people you love

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Yes, please them instead. Love them. Stay close with them. Because as we said, it is just one life, and it never comes with a preset expiration date.

 

4. Respect your originality

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All of us carry our own unique baggage of thorns and flowers. The day you start respecting yourself for what you possess and lack, you will start to take others approval/disapproval of yours with a pinch of salt.

 

5. Make that call. Make that arrangement.

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Call up that dance class you had been eyeing at every evening on your way to home from office, call up that friend you fought with severely, but can’t afford to imagine your life without. Do that thing for your parents they had been asking of you for years now, the thing you had been lazy for. Do it. You will feel lighter. Happier.

 

6. Ditch worrying about things that aren’t in your control

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And the things that are in your control, what’s the need to worry about them? Just make efforts.

 

7. Don’t let your dreams die out simply because they require the kind of money you don’t own

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Keep them alive. Work towards realizing them, one step at a time. It will happen. At least do your bit of trying so that there are no regrets when you rest on your deathbed.

 

8. But on your way to realizing dreams, don’t forget to embrace the NOW.

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You can be travelling alone in the city bus on a hot Sunday, you can be lying on a stretcher with a broken leg, you can perhaps be feeling annoyed through and through. Regardless of the type of situation, embrace it. Don’t ignore the feelings. Hug them tight. Go through it all, the pain and the happiness, to emerge wise, experienced and mature.

In short- Live. It. All.

 

9. But, don’t get stuck in the NOW.

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Moments pass, no matter how toxic or refreshing. They all pass. Learn to let go. Embrace your new NOWs.

 

10. Especially, the toxic moments. The sooner you run away from them, the better.

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Because you deserve to be happy. And if you aren’t happy, how will you ever be able to keep your loved ones happy?

 

11. Be nice.

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Sure you aren’t here to impress those who walk on the road with you everyday, but know nothing of you. But, you are here to make yourself happy. And the glee that comes from being warm and nice to people without expecting anything in return, is a feeling that stays unparalleled. And, not that you should care, but it is not easy for people to remember the list of your achievements, it is the qualities of your heart that they never forget.

 

12. Really, really listen to your heart.

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Because those who don’t follow their own heart, don’t really live.

The true voice of your heart gets subdued in the thick of anger, temporary temptations, disgust, pride, extreme ambitiousness, work pressure, etc. Clear the clouds for a second and really listen to your heart. What would you want to do if they didn’t hold a virtual knife of burden near your throat? Would you be walking out in some street taking the feels of the weather? Playing with the street kids? Feeling happy? Listen to your heart, then!

No matter what it says, listen to it. Even if your decision turns out to be something wrong, at least you will get to learn something out of it.

 

13. Speak up before it is too late

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Stop dying while your heart is still pumping sufficient blood. Step aside from the wrong opinions being followed simply because they have the vote of the majority. Stay true to yourself and don’t cut back from voicing what’s right. You have one life, don’t let your voice die inside of you.

 

14. On your long list of goals, give ‘happiness’ the top spot.

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Don’t get into making money and attracting fame so bad, that you forget what it is like to enjoy a happy quiet in talking to someone special. Or, what it is like to read a book, or to experience a blissful slumber. Give happiness the immense priority. And you don’t have to live to achieve it, you just have to live it. It’s that simple. And the most simple way to do so is by giving more attention to things you love, things that do something to your heart. And by keeping a safe distance from things that instil in you the negative vibes.

I don’t believe in 7-lives crap, I don’t believe in tomorrow. I don’t even know what life has in store for me right about 2 hours from now. More of nonsense drama maybe, or more of giggles, or perhaps more of I-don’t-know-whats.

But, no matter how tasty or sour, I have to find the happy from it all. I will have to create humour out of it all. Because I don’t want to come under the damn truck on a sad note. I want a happy ending. And I am sure, so is the case with you.

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