Remember these things as you go through life:

Happiness is a state of mind. It can't be bought, given, or taken away, but it can be chosen.

Simple things can make it easier to be happy. Experiment.

Don't forget that the reason you make a safety net is so that you can fly.

Tough experiences make good stories. Everything will work out.

It's possible to have laugh lines, great stories, and lots of energy well into what most people would consider old age. Go for it.

On the different components of happiness: You can manage yourself. You can create opportunities for work. Relationships are different. You can’t control them, but you can invest in them.

Good parenting comes from a strong partnership. Don't let kids or work distract you.

People will flow into and out of your life. Grief is the other face of love. It's worth it. The holes in your life show you what people added and force you to grow.

The world is full of good people.

It's never too late to learn something.

Always give yourself room to write, reflect, draw, and know yourself.

Other people can learn from you, even while you're learning.

As you grow older, people will focus less on your “potential”. You won't get as many lucky breaks practically handed to you, but you can keep creating opportunitites. This is good. It gives you the freedom to explore.

You don't have to do everything. Eliminate, negotiate, and delegate.

You are not responsible for everything. Give people room to learn from their own experiments.

Don't let nostalgia for the good old days blind you to the good new days.

Whether or not the world falls apart, life is what you make of it. Worry only so much as that helps you plan. Skip blame entirely. Look for the bright side, and share it with others. Life will be awesome.

Love,
26-year-old Sacha