Note to self:

1. Be kind - show compassion not just to others but to yourself.

2. Be a better mother to yourself - treat yourself the way you would treat a loved one. Eat well and get the sleep you need. Remember, your body is temple, what you put into it, whether thoughts or food, your body will absorb.

3. Love thyself - learn to love who you are, nobody else has walked the miles you have or been in your shoes.

4. Be humble - don’t be arrogant, conceited, egotistical or superior. Be modest, unpretentious and down-to-earth.

5. Control your emotions - don’t be angry and don’t show hate, you will only bring this inside of you and it affects you a lot more than you realise.

6. Be brave - be courageous, brave and be fearless.

7. Be honest - show your feelings and bear them to those whom you trust. It’s okay to be raw, sincere and direct.

8. Don’t trust everyone - some will take advantage of you and bring you harm, others will not understand. The special few will realise and you will know who is real and who is not.

9. Show manners - you never know whose day you’ll make by the simple act of using your manners. Maybe that person needed to hear the kind words you have.

10. Respect your elders - not just everyone that you meet on the street, it means respect your elders, if an elderly man needs a seat on the train, give it to him.

If the elderly lady next door needs some shopping done but doesn’t want to go alone, go for her. Respect your elders, they’ve been around longer than you and they have their wisdom and stories to share with you.

11. Be respectful - not just to others but to yourself. Respect your body and your mind, don’t forget we are all human.