Your Future Your Life Poem by John Leroy Maxwell

Sometimes people come into your life, and you know right away
that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose,
teach you a lesson, or help you figure out who you are, or who
you want to become.. You never know who these people may be,
a Mother, a Father, a Teacher, a neighbor, a friend, a lover,
or even a complete stranger.. But when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some
profound way.. Sometimes things happen to you that may seem
horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection
you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would
have never realized your potential, strength, willpower,
or heart.. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true
greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits
of your soul.. Without these small tests, whatever they may be,
life would be like a smoothly paved road, a straight flat
road to nowhere.. It would be safe and comfortable, but
dull and utterly pointless.. The people you meet who affect
your life, and the success and downfalls you experience,
help to create who you are and who you want to become..
Even the bad experiences can be learned from, in fact their
sometimes the most important ones.. If someone loves you,
give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only
because they love you, but because in a way they are teaching
you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things..
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart,
forgive them for they have helped you learn about trust,
and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your
heart.. Make everyday count, and appreciate every moment
and take from those moments everything that you possibly
can, for you may never be able to experience it again..
Talk to people that you have never talked to before,
and listen to what they have to say.. Let yourself fall
in love, break free, and set your sights high..
Hold your head up because you have every right to..
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe
in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself,
it will be hard for others to believe in you..