I am attempting the Wego Health Activist Writers’ Month Challenge. A post each day in April. So, now that I told you I am going to do it, I oughta follow through, right? Today’s prompt is to create a must-follow list.

I am certain that this prompt intends for me to share people that I think you should follow. If that is what you are looking for, check out my resources page or previous posts from the challenge.

If you follow anything at all, consider following this

You could call it a philosophy or a manifesto of sorts. Words to live by. Maxims for a better life.

When your body throws you a curveball and reveals that it doesn’t work the same way as others, or that it has gone to war on itself, it is easy to get lost. To struggle. To lose sight of the big picture.

But darling, it is all about the big picture.

Abraham Lincoln said “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Consider your chronic life just a part of the big picture. How you spend it despite the hardships is what matters.

So, here goes:

You should fill your heart with good and then follow it to where you need to be. There is no other kind of must-follow. 

A much wiser woman than I can ever hope to be wrote these words, and they are rumored to have been painted on her wall.

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

-Mother Teresa

For me, these words summarize my personal philosophy. My own manifesto for living a better life. If I never follow anything else, I hope to say that, when all is said and done, I have lived my life anyway.

That I created. That I did good. That I succeeded. That despite a million and two reasons not to, I was kind. That I filled my heart with good and let it lead me.