How do you want to be remembered?

People often say they will do something “tomorrow” or “later,” and before they know it, there have been a hundred tomorrows, and later never comes. After that, all we can do is look around and wonder where the time went.

I’ve realized a lot of things in the recently about friendship and family, and what really matters and what is just not worth the effort. The problem with these things is that most of us won’t be able to figure out what we should really be concerned with until it’s too late.

I sit sometimes and watch the news, and all I can do is shake my head at the tragedies that occur every day, and the evil in this world that we’ve somehow managed to create for ourselves.

Things aren’t the way they used to be, and I could only wish for myself, my friends and my family that we lived in a time where people trusted each other and could walk down the street without the fear of being mugged.

How many shootings are there in any given city in a year? Someone walking down the street at night, probably leaving a club. That could’ve been me, you, your brother, sister or one of your parents. He wasn’t hurting anyone, just walking.

I think a lot of the stupid macho egoism in this society is put forth by fear and intimidation, and defense mechanisms as well. It’s insecurity that causes a lot of us to come across as tough or puff our chests out as our ape cousins do when threatened, because inside we’re scared of what others think and how we’re going to be perceived.

You know what I say? I say screw it. I say screw trying to make people like you. Screw pursuing the girl who shows no interest in you. I say screw trying to make people like you when you know in your heart they’re talking about you behind your back, who needs them? Be the flame, not the moth.

I say hug your family, hug your friends, and tell them all you love them. Who cares if one of your friends thinks you’re acting silly for showing that you appreciate them. If they really care about you, they’ll understand.

Never let a moment pass where you could make yourself great, or be the cause of someone else feeling the same. Because each and every moment like that one you let pass, is one you’re not going to be able to get back.

I say rise above all the nonsense in the world and be your own person. Cherish and make sure you celebrate every moment of your youth and your life, because one morning you might just wake up and wonder where it all went.

The only thing you will have then is the people who you showed you cared about, because the ones who really mattered will be by your side, and you’ll have your memories and stories to tell your grandkids. You will live on through memories, thoughts and decisions you made throughout your life.

How do you want to be remembered?

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