Life is a journey and different for each person. But I have found that there are some universal lessons that if you take along on your journey, you will be happier and less stressed out.

• Do anything you can to help the planet. Everyday there are many opportunities to help the planet: recycling paper, filling up your water bottle a few times, or better yet, switching to a reusable bottle, throwing things away and not recycling. The health and greenness of our planet is slowly decreasing and each and every day we need to make sure that we are doing everything in our power to help the earth.

• Take along a smile everywhere you go. Life can be hard and stressful, but you can make everything better by wearing a smile. In fact, a smile is the best and most important accessory that anyone could wear.

• Understand that everything happens for a reason. Disappointments and upsets are bound to happen in life, but understand that “sometimes good things fall apart, so better things can be put together.” What you want may not be what you really need. You have to trust in the universe and good things will come.

• Understand how important face-to-face human interaction is. Technology is constantly evolving and where we will be in the world of technology in ten years is unpredictable. But we all need to limit ourselves so we don’t isolate those not attached to phones and computers. Spend time talking to your friends instead of being on Twitter, pay attention to your surroundings, and be aware what is happening around you to avoid any danger.

• Stress less. Stress is an overwhelming feeling that no one wants to feel, yet it will continue all of our lives. Whether this stress is because of your making or not, try not to avoid stressful situations. This can be done by not procrastinating, not associating with those who cause you stress and avoiding situations that may not be the best that would cause additional and unneeded stress.

• Wake up each day grateful that you woke up and are able to live another day. While everyone is complaining that we have to wake up early and have to go to school to learn all day, then sport practices afterwards which can be stressful, be grateful you get to experience all of that. When you wake up, smile and embrace the day instead of wishing it to go away.

• Love yourself. There will always be negative people, whether you are seven, seventeen, thirty seven, or seventy seven. People will be jealous of you and may even say things that hurt your feelings. But if you love yourself, then you take away anyone’s power over you. If you are content with yourself and if you love yourself, then anything that anyone says or does cannot hurt you. Don’t believe what people say. Love yourself. Everyone is wonderful and unique, yet we all try to fit in. Don’t. Be you and love who you are.

Now, these things do not ensure that your life will be perfect, but they do allow you to live a more peaceful and happier life.