Think of a quality you have that you can share. Use that positive trait to support and lift up someone trapped in discouragement and self-condemnation.

Make a commitment to give someone a compliment each day this week, and then compliment yourself for encouraging others!

Be brave in your relationships. Being loving, respectful, kind, and vulnerable takes guts, especially when not everybody your age acts this way. Everybody wants to be loved well, even when they don't have the skills to communicate that. Lead the way!

The world has an abundance of reasons for you to smile and say, "That's so cool!" Why not become a joy-sighting specialist? Find and write down at least one reason to smile every day. Once a week, read aloud what you have written. In less than three years, you will have consciously acknowledged 1,000 happy thoughts and memories. That's A LIFE-ALTERING POSITIVE IMPACT!

Finding a friend who genuinely cares about you might take some time. Here are three things to remember: 1) The reward of patience is worth the wait, 2) work toward becoming the kind of person you would want as a friend, and 3) there are no perfect people; therefore, look for the good in others.

Saying the right thing at the wrong time or in the wrong way is not the right thing. When you have something important to say, choose to deliver those words wisely. And, remember, it's always easier to say it right the first time rather than try to repair the damage of saying it poorly.

Consider your words. Are they heavy and discouraging, tainted with sarcasm or negativity? Are they light and uplifting, filled with hope and positivity? Your words have power. Use them wisely

When anger or animosity starts to get the better of you, put words around your experience: I feel ____________ about ___________, and then determine that you will not react until you are in a more settled emotional state. Remember, being intentional is almost always better than being reactive.

Here's a new approach to reacting to people. Instead of reasoning, "Every third person I come in contact with irritates me," try this: "At least every third person I come in contact with can teach me how to or how NOT to act or react. Adopt a learning, growing, more thoughtful about life game plan. It's a commitment that will ultimately put you miles ahead of where you would have been.

Can you say aloud, "I am thankful for what I DO have? I am grateful for the small favors of life I too often miss. I'm committed to getting better at speaking fewer words of self-rejection, and, imperfect though I am, I will continue to grow and mature as a person.

Are you angry? Do you feel slighted or wronged? Or, are your emotions chaotic, and you're unsure why? This L. I. K. E. strategy may help:
Label the root problem by taking the time to identify what's really bothering you.
Initiate patience to take the time to settle a problem properly
Kindness must be a part of the solution, even if it takes humility
Energize yourself. You won't overcome the blues with the blahs!

When it comes to spoken words, sometimes timing and tone mean the difference between someone hearing and receiving what you have to say and responding defensively.

When you are okay with who you are, the opinions of others lose some of (even a great deal of!) their power.

Unless it truly pushes you to become a better person, peer pressure will only cause you harm in the end. Wanting people to like you is normal and healthy, but practice being wise about filtering the pressure and influence that you're feeling from others.

Being courageous and taking a stand for what you consider important may irritate some around you - perhaps because they are jealous that you are so brave! Find your place and significant beliefs in life. Stand tall. You can live with the courage of your convictions without hurting or devaluing your family and friends.

Peer pressure can be pretty intense. It can trap you in the negative, neutralize the positive you have to offer others, or push you to become a hope-driven person. It's your decision, but the key to handling peer pressure is to prepare a plan ahead of time for how you will respond.

When it comes to peer pressure, ask yourself these three questions: 1) Does this person know me well enough to advise me on how to live MY life? 2) Is this person committed to my long-term health and well-being? 3) Is this person the kind of person I would like to become? If the answer to ANY of these questions is no, let it go! The immediate discomfort of going against the flow will be far less than the inevitably painful consequences of giving in to potentially harmful peer pressure.

Is someone you know going through disappointment or hurt? You don't have to have experienced the same pain or situation to let someone know you see, hear, and understand them. Remember, deep pain might hide behind some of the smiles around you.

EVERYONE can work on being a better listener. Start small by picking one person to focus on and improve your listening skills. You'll find that the habits you develop will become a reflex to help you in other relationships.

If you ever forget that you are valuable, needed, and capable of making a difference, remember that you may be the most positive person someone knows. Everyone's burdens differ, but those who bear heavy burdens with strength, courage, and positivity inspire courage in others.

Think of one person who has wronged or hurt you. What would a baby step toward forgiveness look like? That one small step can begin the process of healing your heart. Remember, forgiving someone does not mean that what they did was okay or that you must stay friends with them. It is ok to cut ties with those who intend to harm you.

Are you having a hard time forgiving yourself for regrettable actions or inactions? You are not your behavior. Forgive yourself. Learn from your mistakes. Resolve to be a stronger, wiser person who is unashamed and unafraid to run the race of life with determination and passion!

Forgiveness is a big deal because resentment often hurts a little more as time goes by, and the person who gets hurt the most is the one refusing to forgive.

You are human. You WILL make mistakes. Don't let your mistakes ruin or rule you. Instead, cooperate with the pain caused by a mistake to make you more understanding, genuinely empathetic, and forgiving toward the mistake-prone humans around you.

Did you goof up, hurt someone's feelings, or let someone down? Instead of fussing with yourself, FESS UP. Say, text, or write a sincere note of apology. Then, forgive yourself, too. Genuine humility is genuinely healthy.