The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely. – Lorraine Hansberry

Most people loathe solitude. Silence. The empty room. Nothing but their minds for company…

But, to paraphrase John Steinbeck, all great and precious things are built in solitude. They grow out of it. The struggle of having to tame your thoughts, to concentrate on the task at hand, to decide every minute of every day what’s important, what must be done, despite what you feel you should be doing.

That’s the thing; the “big secret.” You don’t have to act on all your emotions. You don’t have to eat sweets whenever you feel like it, or skip the gym because it’s too hot outside or you’re feeling tired or you’re just not feeling like it (that’s also an emotion.) We all know what is the right thing to do, what we should do, yet…it seems as if it’s the most difficult thing in the world at times.

Because the rule of thumb is this: always take the hard route. The struggle. The fight. The grind. That is the way that yields most rewards. Things don’t just fall into your laps. You have to put in the effort to get them. And if you only put in the effort when you feel like it…

Success is all about fighting boredom and routine. Success is rarely about intellect or talent, but about perseverance and discipline; about going all the goddamn way with the things that truly matter.

Don’t just start things, finish them.

Don’t sit on your ass wishing for better days…

Take what you can, do what you must…with what you have.

I started working out in my apartment because I couldn’t afford a gym membership. With one lousy dumbbell. Not ever two. Just one. And yet…I kept going, kept pushing myself…I wanted to learn…

Getting in shape seemed impossible, and yet…

That’s the thing. Question everything. Question yourself questioning yourself. Whenever you feel like something is impossible, just ask yourself why. Your mind will tell you. And then ask yourself if you’re mind is actually right, or just talking nonsense. Whenever someone tells you to be realistic, don’t take it to heart. If they’re afraid to take risks, that doesn’t mean you should be to.

And this takes me to my initial idea. Solitude. Being alone. I do not say lonely…those who are lonely are desperate for an escape. No. Alone. Do not be afraid to walk this life alone if you have to. Fight for what you want. Do what you must. Sacrifice. Fight for the things you want as if your life depends on them, because it does.

If only…the saddest words in all creation. Regret. For the things we should have done, for the things we could have done. Don’t grow complacent with ideas or people. Don’t be lazy. Because when it’ll be too late to get what you want, you’ll spend the rest of your life dying every single day.

It hurts to not be loved, but it’s even worse not to love. It hurts to be given up on, but it’s far worse a tragedy to give up on someone who would never give up on you. It hurts to fail, but it’s far worse to stay stuck in your comfort zone.

We are designed to aspire for greatness. To achieve. To conquer ourselves, to conquer our emotions.

Do you feel lonely? Bored? Stressed? Depressed?

Then do something about it.

If you’re not living your dream life, fight like hell for it.

Fill your days with things that matter. Do those things. Do what makes you happy, not what makes other people happy. Don’t be realistic. Dream big. Work hard. Carpe that motherfucking diem.

You only have one life. Make the most of it.