To the extent that we have the ability, we can accomplish or obtain almost anything we truly desire in our lives. All we have to do is “set the sails.”

Where the desire is strong, the will to accomplish that which we desire must match in strength and perseverance; therein shall lie the measure of your success.

Only two reasons exist why a person with freedom and ability, with sufficient intelligence and a healthy body, cannot accomplish his or her desires in life: a lack of will and a lack of disciplined dedication. To the extent we are able, with hard work and/or pursuit through connections and privileged access, as long as we persevere, our desires can become reality.

I qualify success, however, on the extent of our abilities. Life is a gift, but it is not fair. Some are born with more privileges, talents and freedoms than others. Then there are those who are born into lives where freedom is not even an option – where survival and life itself are the only goals.

Luck of the draw determines our lots in life, but, once we are given life, those of us with the ability and the will can shape our lives into whatever we wish it to be.

What if we lack ability? What if we desire to write, to sing, to act, to start a business and become a millionaire but do…

Sometimes, you have to go down the completely wrong and self-destructive path, and do the completely wrong and unhealthy things, in order to learn and find your way back onto the right path. Like the phoenix – whose self-destruction causes her to re-emerge even more beautiful and wiser.

For much of your life, you live according to a plan – whether your own or your parents’ or some other societal entity. This plan is ultimately for your own good. You realize this, which is why you go about following it.

But there comes a time when, for various reasons, you’re unable to follow the plan. Deep-rooted problems surface, questions unanswered, dissatisfaction, physical, hormonal or mental ills. Whatever the case, it pushes you to leave the planned path and dabble in something you know is destructive.
Part of living is to know the dark side – to know the wrong, the bad, the ugly, to learn and understand it and to accept it, even embrace it. Our understanding and acceptance of the darkness within ourselves is what enables us to better understand others and to ultimately become better people. Without understanding, we are narrow-minded, fearful people.

The universe itself is composed of opposites: good and beautiful things, and dark, ghastly, ugly things; but all serve a purpose and all are rightful parts of existence. Like the universe, to live and be human, we cannot deny the dark parts of our conscience and we cannot abhor it either.

No one is completely good, and no one is completely bad; we all have shades of each which show itself depending on the circumstance and the environment we are in. Some people and situations can bring out the best in us, others – the worst.

But to understand this…

Generally, if your love is strong, it will weather the storm. Sometimes, however, the boat cannot be saved – not because your love was not strong enough, but because love simply wasn’t enough to save it. That’s the other funny thing you’ll learn: love is only one factor.

Sometimes two people are no longer compatible in what they want or need in life. They may love each other, but cannot help that things have changed – that one and/or the other’s goal or high priorities are no longer a relationship with the other. Perhaps it is education or pursuit of a life-long dream that takes you away from your partner. Love can conquer these changes and work past them, but only if both people are willing. It would take great effort, might require separation and time apart, in order to come together again and work to desire the same high priority goal of being together.

The worst thing you can do, however, is fight the change. No matter how sad, how heartbreaking, love cannot grow or survive without freedom. The hardest thing you will learn is how to love someone enough to let them go, to want what is best for them, even if it means causing yourself pain and losing them. That is unconditional love.

I learned through recent events that I truly, unconditionally, love someone very dear to my heart, and that my…

When it comes to matters of the heart, of love and life, if it is meant to be, it will be. Simple as that. But, what you must realize is that it is a choice – people ultimately choose what is meant to be.”

The truth is, we have complete control over what happens or doesn’t happen in love. It is our actions and reactions, our choices & decisions that truly define our ‘meant to be.’ Everything in love is a choice – often choices you make not even knowing any better at the time. That is why learning as much as you can, about life, relationships and love, is so important, because then only can you make educated, correct choices. When it comes to matters of the heart, of love and life, if it is meant to be, it will be. Simple as that. But, what you must realize is that it is a choice – people ultimately choose what is meant to be.

Similarly, people love to say “everything happens for a reason.” I say, no, things don’t always happen for a reason. Sometimes, things just happen and we later invent the ‘reason’ in hindsight. When my first love and I broke up after four and a half years together, I was devastated beyond words. Everyone kept telling me things happen for a reason; but, I knew, in my heart, that wasn’t true. I knew that, sometimes, life just happens and you just have to deal with it.People will say you’re a lot stronger now because of some hardship you went through, and claim that as a reason. That’s not exactly true. You already had that strength in you – it was just exhibited and brought out because of the situation…