A friend of mine once criticised me for being “too nice”. She thought that I needed to change, otherwise I’d be taken advantage of one day. Funny thing is, it was actually being “too nice” that saved my life.
In a previous post, I wrote about how I went through a tough time and believed that life wasn’t worth living. How I had lost all purpose and sense of direction. But one afternoon, I reached out to my friend, who was in a really bad place. I sat with him for several hours in his car, reassuring him that his life was worth something.
He wanted to end his life that night. But because of me, he lived.
When I saved my friend from ending his life, I got out of the hole that I’d been living in. I no longer thought that it was only about me. It was about the people in the world who needed saving. I realised now that I was destined to help others. I knew I was alive to help the world become a better place. Saving him had saved me.
I believe there is good in all of us.
I believe we are capable of doing great things with our lives.
I believe our mistakes don’t have to define us.
Just like Karen Salmansohn says in her INSTANT HAPPY book:
“Every day is a new opportunity to change your life. You have the power to say ‘This is not how my story ends.’ You have the power to rewrite your destiny.”
These lines resonate with me, because I believe…
- All of us make mistakes
- Our past does not have to become our future
- The only person in control of changing our life is us, and
- We choose to be happy
I could have so easily gone on living my life, oblivious to having any sense of direction. I could have just given up. But I didn’t.
I decided to take control and move forward with my life. I went on to study Psychology at University. I went on to meet my husband and have 3 beautiful children. I went on to become a writer, inspiring others to lead a better life. I went on to live life with purpose.
Don’t let the mistakes of the past discourage you from searching for a better future. Your life isn’t over. Not by a long shot. For as long as you are still living and breathing, you have the chance to change it.
By taking control of your life, you are taking control of your happiness.
This post won a contest run by Karen Salmansohn, who is an Oprah Columnist.
Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer, resume/cover letter writer and Youth Worker living in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.
Beautiful piece. I’m glad I discovered you and your wonderful heart.
Thanks, Angel!
I believe we choose to surround ourselves with positive people. So I’m very glad to know someone like you! 🙂
Hi Thuy
What a lovely post, right when I needed a pick me up 🙂 Keep following your dream, I find you very inspirational. Love Lui 🙂
Hi Lui,
I’m very glad that my post was able to help you.
All of us go through bad times and it’s easy to think that it’ll never get better. I’ve felt that way a couple times before!
But sometimes life may not work out as planned, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We need to take control and know that our happiness is dependent on us.
We are a lot stronger than we think. We just have to give ourselves the chance to prove it.
I hope everything works out for you, I know it will 😉
Love Thuy xox