What to do with life?

So.

Here we are. On this planet we call home.
We're born, we grow up, we learn how to behave in our social environment. We learn which things are celebrated and which are frowned upon. We learn a language, we receive education, we get acquainted with new people, we make friends, we grow up and realize that certain things are expected of us. We aim to please, we get an opinion, we rebel somewhat, find our inner voices and either act on what they tell us or neglect them to fit in.

This of course is life in a nutshell and as you might have noticed, much of what makes a life a life is missing even in this very short story of how to act like a proper human. This is because I don't know half of how to be a proper human. I only know what I learned up until this point and whatever comes naturally to the person that is me.
Add to that that I've been incredibly self centered for most of my life and I know even less about life in general. Because we live our lives together whether we like it or not. We need one another.

Firstly to be born, where would we be without our parents? Literally not even existing.
Second, our teachers. We need others to give us new ways of viewing things, to learn that there are more ways than just the one we already know.
And third, the people we share our spare time with. Our friends, family, acquaintances, lovers. They make us feel appreciated, loved or eager to learn and improve ourselfs.

So.

To get to the point here.

All my life I've been given things. Advice, lessons, love, experiences, laughter. All things that people gave me simply because I was there with them.
And in my opinion I haven't been giving back enough. I've been so busy with not showing my weaknesses, fears and doubts that I've been hiding most of my life. I haven't been sharing my time with the people who gave me theirs.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this year, I make goals for the end of each year.

I added one. To be kind to others and to give them time if needed. I will listen, I will give, I will receive, I will entertain, I will love, I will laugh, I will open up and I will watch.

It is a game of give and take and after many years of fearing it I will now take part in it.

Life. And such.

Let the games begin. (May the odds be ever in my favor)

Love,
Anouk

In the spirit of giving back: this was one of the most awesome gifts I ever gave. My friends husband put together a weekend with friends for this lovelies 21st birthday and I got a few on board with my crazy plan of letting up balloons!
It was magical to say the least :) Happy to still call this wonderful person my friend 'till this very day. <3