The meaning of life, the universe and everything

While I was driving home today, the number 42 popped into my head. As we all know, it is the answer to life, the universe, and everything. (Google will tell you that.) I haven’t added anything to my blog for a while, and I could say that I’ve been waiting for 42 days to go by, but then I’d be lying. Truth be told, I was just being lazy again.

On a more serious note; maybe 42 is just a random number that popped into some guy’s head, just like it popped into mine. However random it might be, it is a significant number, simply because of the cult following attached to it. 42 might not define my life, but I’ve decided to share 42 thoughts/quotes/things with you, which do play a role in my life, and which might very well affect yours as well. These are in no particular order; I plan to write whatever comes up in my mind. (You have been warned.)

1. Don’t be afraid of chasing your dreams.
2. Don’t build your life on what others think of you.
3. Dream big.
4. Whenever depressing thoughts come knocking, get rid of them. Immediately. Getting out of a deep dark hole is much harder than getting into it.
5. Never be afraid to love. You might end up running away from your own happiness.
6. Never let your emotions and fears control you. You have a brain as well.
7. If something is worth remembering, write it down.
8. Help others whenever you get a chance. Seeing other people smile makes it easier for you to smile.
9. Don’t allow anyone to step on you.
10. If you want to write, write. If you keep putting it off because you don’t know what to write about, you’re holding yourself back. See your mind as a tap; in order for water to flow, you have to open the tap first.
11. Be a kid once in a while.
12. Never forget those who treat you well.
13. Never hold a grudge.
14. If you don’t have anything worth saying, keep your mouth shut.
15. If you have something worth saying, say it.
16. Try to find a lesson in everything that happens to you.
17. When dreaming about your future and the person you are going to spend your life with, don’t put a face to your dreams. People come and go; don’t let them take your dreams with them when they go.
18. True friends are scarce.
19. Friends are there to help you deal with your problems. Don’t keep it all to yourself.
20. Seize opportunities; you might not get them again.
21. Try to learn something new every day.
22. Read as much as you can.
23. Make time to do the things you love.
24. Don’t mess with your conscience.
25. Try to learn a new language.
26. Religion. You’re not here by chance and you know that there is more to the universe than your time on planet Earth. As for me, Jesus is my Lord and my Rock. I know where to find my strength. Do you?
27. Give your best in everything that you do; never regret not giving your best.
28. If you fail, get up and move on. We all fail sometimes.
29. Work on your flaws; always. No matter what you think, you’re still not perfect.
30. Perfection is unattainable, but it’s a damn good goal to strive towards.
31. Spend time with your family and friends.
32. Sometimes people can hurt you by being honest. Honesty is a sign of respect, no matter how much it hurts. Respect that.
33. Don’t go out looking for love; but keep an eye out for it wherever you go.
34. Keep asking questions. Firstly, that is how you learn. Secondly, that is how you discover opportunities.
35. Try to travel.
36. Don’t spend your life working for someone else. You know you want more than that.
37. Don’t get yourself into debt. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. Simple.
38. Take pictures.
39. Shit happens. Don’t run away; just deal with it.
40. Spend some time with those less fortunate than yourself. It’ll teach you to appreciate what you have.
41. The hardest battles are the ones that you fight with yourself.
42. Read http://www.illuminatedmind.net/the-unstream/ and http://chrisguillebeau.com/. Those guys do it so much better than me.