How to make a beautiful life

This one comes courtesy of my mom, who gave me one of the most beautiful and moving cards for my birthday last year. Since then, this primo Hallmark selection of hers has been hanging inside a cabinet in my bathroom, and I read it every day to remind myself of what's important. Maybe you'll find it equally relevant to your own life:

Love yourself.
Make peace with who you are and where you are at this moment in time.

Listen to your heart.
If you can't hear what it's saying in this noisy world, make time for yourself. Enjoy your own company. Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try. Take chances. Make mistakes.
Life can be messy and confusing at times, but it's also full of surprises. The next rock in your path might be a stepping stone.

Be happy.
When you don't have what you want, want what you have. Make do. That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow. You have to make your own way.
To know where you're going is only part of it. You need to know where you've been, too. And if you ever get lost, don't worry. The people who love you will find you. Count on it.

Life isn't days and years. It's what you do with time and with all the goodness and grace that's inside you.

Make a beautiful life ... the kind of life you deserve.