I've realized that nothing surprises me anymore. That's not to say that I don't get caught offguard every once in a while, but generally speaking I've learned to expect the unexpected. Realists hope for the best and prepare for the worst, but me, I just expect the worst. And if anything good happens to come along, great, I'll accept it with open arms, but I also know that it's usually shortlived anyway (at least for me) and don't harp on it too much. Does that make me a pessimist? Probably, but whatever, it doesn't matter...
Anyway, getting back to my original point...I've realized that nothing lasts forever, that the people you least expect to hurt you probably will, that you never truly know a person at their core regardless of how long you two have known each other, that trust is a funny thing and that the only person you can really trust is yourself, that life goes through its stages of ups and downs and we're just going along for the ride, and that for some, life is just a game to see who comes out on top.
I've realized that there's no such thing as luck - "luck" is simply preparation meeting the moment of opportunity. And the best that we can do is just do the best with what we have, take advantage of every opportunity that comes our way and strive for whatever greatness we think will make us happy.
Find the people that mean something to you and hold on to them for dear life; never ever treat them like they're disposable or "less than." Just love them for who they are because ultimately, their imperfections make them perfect. And, most importantly, if you love them as much as you say you do, look over the path that you're leading and decide whether your career, success, pride, ego, recognition, or whatever it may be, is worth losing them over. Look past your insecurities and be honest with yourself - figure out what happiness means to YOU. Sort out your priorities, determine who and what you truly value in this life and do everything in your power not to lose them - it's as simple as that.
Consider this my catharsis.
Bonus points for whoever knows what this quote means - "Quod me nutrit me destruit."
