Sometimes life feels as though it happens in slow motion—moments that sink into our consciousness, so anchored in our souls that they remain untouched by anyone who tries to break in.

Life is a series of memories that reveal themselves in the darkroom of our fears, goals and plans—it is the compilation of inexplicable events that take place when we least expect them.

Just when we feel safe—when we think we’ve figured it all out—it seems that around the next corner, we will have to humble ourselves to the lessons that (hopefully) will make us grow into who we are supposed to be. The only catch is that we are not prepared for whatever life is trying to teach us—this is no traditional lesson, and there will be a retake of the final test, until we’ve gotten it right.

The problem with the lessons that can’t be absorbed the first time is that they leave us feeling rugged, torn, weary and ultimately powerless, with no desire to take a leap of faith. I’m guessing that’s why we become more fragile around the edges. We meet people who disappoint us, break our spirit and make us question the theory that: “what you give is what you get.” And then, as if that is not enough—just when we think we understand why they landed in our path—we lose all explanation and are back to square one. This is the inexplicable way life unravels itself and its never-ending paradoxes, courtesy of fate.

It takes time and patience to repair our broken edges—to carve out the crippled parts and erase the acrimony of the haphazardness life can bring. How wonderful it would be to erase selected memories, let go of the lingering thoughts and hurl those lessons that made our skin thicker, unwelcoming and brimming with fear. It’s not our fault we become unsympathetic, emotionless and cold. We become subjects of emotional conditioning, punished by our own thoughts and rewarded when we believe we haven’t failed in the eyes of others. Rarely do we embark on a quest for what we yearn for deep in our thoughts.

When the sun takes a dive behind the mountains and allows the moon to shine in the dark sky, there are millions of decisions pondered by sleepless, rambling minds—all craving opportunities to free their thoughts.

Stand strong, decide to sink, grow or remain the same. Finding the answers ultimately can be hard, and letting go will sink you with uncertainty—especially letting go of someone, but nevertheless that might be the ultimate lesson, simply letting go.

Let go of pain, let go of uncertainty, and live with no fear of what you might learn. Forget those broken edges, for they may be beautiful, different and unique. They might inspire someone else and prepare them for their own lesson. Don’t feel ashamed of how you’ve been hurt or how your edges have been torn. Be kind—kindness will always triumph.

Remain positive, even in the darkest moments. Lend a shoulder to those who seem lost in their own pursue of light, but remember—never expect anything in return, sorrowfully reciprocity is a luxury not many are willing to invest in. Take care of your soul and be kind to yourself, even when you feel alone. Have patience, and embrace who you are, but not because of the old cliché that says, “You have to love yourself before someone else loves you.”

The quest for self-acceptance and love is ongoing and will be constant throughout all our lives. Don’t hide your weaknesses, for if you do, that means you know that love is momentary.

Climb mountains—they will make you realize how small you are. Paddle down rivers, dip your feet in the water and feel the rocks—they will feed your soul. Walk aimlessly through forests, smell the soil and the grass, and listen to the sounds of insects and birds. Let you body sink on the beach—late at night or early in the morning—see the sunset, appreciate the dusk. Allow yourself to have sand in your hair. Swim in the sea, and feel the salt in your skin. Walk aimlessly through the city, seeing people faces. Sit in crowded places, and imagine how every single person walking has a story to tell. Airports are good teachers—they have seen the most sincere goodbyes, tears and dreams.

Travel alone, with friends, with family, with a stranger—get to know other cultures and expand your mind—your reality is only perceived by your own enclosure of what you might think life is. Life is a variable in constant motion—it blends and will recreate you—don’t feel trapped.

Recreate yourself and the way you tackle lessons—learn and accept them, don’t be bitter. Don’t erase memories or store them—keep them and move on. Tweak what doesn’t suit you, allow people to love you, and love them back. Allow people to caress you, hug for more than 20 seconds, stare into someone’s eyes, treat a total stranger to an ice cream, or sit with a sign that reads: “Up for a good conversation.”

Change and evolve—leaving the past behind—find new meaning in life. But above all, don’t let anyone break your spirit—kindness will always prevail, perhaps not right away, but it will in the long run.

Care—don’t stop caring about people, and don’t give up on them, even if they’ve given up on themselves. They are the one’s that need the most love and patience—listen to them and squeeze their hands.

Love—fall in love, and continue to love, even if you’ve been deadly hurt. Love a million times with no regrets or fear—find comfort in the words of your own mind, they will guide your path and fill your soul. Trust yourself—and when you find the treasure of reciprocal love—take a leap. Jump and don’t look back, it is real.

“It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily or have sharp edges or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” ~ Margery Williams

The real leap of faith is letting yourself fall in love and be loved.

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Author: Ana Vivar Aguirre

Editor: Yoli Ramazzina

Photo: Flickr/Jonathan Hood