The Art Of NEVER SETTLING And The Importance Of STAYING HUNGRY

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For all those who have ever felt less than they are, and all who have been my friend when I couldn't be my own.

How many times have we let someone walk all over us? How many times have we let someone take advantage of our good nature? How many times have we settled for less than what we deserve? For me personally, I cannot even attempt to contemplate how many times I’ve let myself, and someone else, put me into these situations, where I end up accepting less than what I merit, and usually, 11/10 times, I will bawl my eyes out to Enrique Iglesias. What’s comforting is the knowledge that I am not the only person in this boat, but in all honesty, this is a boat that no passenger should find themselves embarking upon.Each of us wake up every morning, taking it for granted. We are only a couple of chosen billion in the existence of Earth who have been given the opportunity to live on said day - so why do we spend the day stuck in a rut, not achieving our potential? Why are we not out there striving to overachieve in every aspect of our life, falling in love with ourselves, and making the most of every opportunity that comes our way? Here’s where I get a little Mammy-esque - there is so much suffering in the world today, we hear about it and read it, day in day out. Between the horrific refugee crisis and refugee camps, children dying in Africa due to malnourishment, to the recent Death Flights in Argentina, we are so fortunate to live in a country which is so safe, so prosperous and as free from war as it is. We should be making the most of every opportunity, maximising our opportunities. As one philosopher, Eminem, once said, “You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime,” so the next time this song comes on in the Hanover and you’ve had maybe one or two too many, stop and listen to the lyrics because I’m telling ya, he’s onto something.Here’s one for us young wans: college is the only time in our lives where we have little constraints placed on us, where we have minimum responsibilities, where we get to have adult rights but not technically be mortgage paying, weekday working, pension saving, worrying adults. Treat yo’ self. You need to stay free, strong and to enjoy your life and be uncommitted to anyone but yourself. Travel and be happy and kiss boys/girls/people and forget about them the next day (“Hi mum, sorry mum!”). You never know what day is going to be your last, or the last day of someone you love. Fall recklessly in love with whomever, whatever you want - it’s your life, and the one lifetime you will ever get in this world. Learn how to be content with yourself, be the best you that you can be for yourself and the people around you. Conquer your fears and learn how to really and truly breathe. You have to live with yourself for the rest of your life, make sure you know how to love yourself. Take the time to get to know you, find yourself, ignore what people say and do what makes you smile and feel fulfilled. Never let anybody tell you that you don’t deserve something or treat you as such because each and every human deserves the world and so much more. We are all so precious and worthy and it breaks my heart when I hear of people undermining themselves and not seeing how beautiful they are - I too am guilty of this. No goal is unattainable. If you believe in yourself, surround yourself with encouragement and positivity, and treat others with the uttermost respect and kindness, the world is truly your oyster.Basically, we need to keep hustling, keep achieving our potentials, keep fighting for what we deserve. Don’t listen to people trying to bring you down. It’s ok to have a bad day, but know how to combat your sadness. Know your priorities and morals and stick to them.  Never settle for less than you deserve. And most importantly: never, ever let someone treat you in a way less than you deserve. Treat others how you want to be treated; respectfully, kindly, sensitively. Anyone who treats you less than this is not worth your time. Invest your emotions, your time and your effort smartly. Life is too precious, and the fact of being alive is worth more than words can convey.