You get what you pay for? False.

Well, depends on what you are really looking for? Cheap, mediocre, amazing or just over zealous. Then again a wolf in sheep's clothing could also be a culprit.

Nothing in life is free? False.

Air. So breathe it in generously.

Don't bite off more than you can chew? False.

That is a mighty small mouth you have then, Grandma. Trust me, in life it may feel like there is more than you can bear but in my reality, you will learn how to handle anything through bravery.

When one door closes, another one opens? False.

Could be a trap door.

Always turn into the skid?

Alright, actually that one is completely accurate.

When you need to get something done, just start on it. It's daunting and the process might not be what you envisioned. However, getting started is the hardest part of accomplishing goals. You're bombarded with an onslaught of "what if...?"s

"What if it's not good enough?"

"What if I don't like how it turns out"

What if this happens and what if that happens? But the thing is, you'll never find out until you begin. Tackling the challenges that arise is inevitable but fearing what you don't know won't prepare you for the task at hand.

Take baby steps. If you need to write an essay, tell yourself that you're going to write at least one sentence in a given time frame. I guarantee you'll be able to write far more than that once you get started.

And don't be too hard on yourself. Please make sure to take breaks and don't overwork yourself. Just keep in mind that whenever something seems too intimidating, the best way to overcome it is to get started and gradually work your way up.

-|-

Arduous anticipation for the tasks to come

Makes time fly by so swift

And it almost feels tangible

Steadily mounting fear churns a visceral burning

A peculiar mix of dread and desperate pleading

For the labor to be done

No matter how daunting it may be

Tearing the leech free

Results in less pain than slowly succumbing

But fret not

It's not nearly as bad as it seems

Maybe it's not perfect

And that's okay

That's the game of life

You make mistakes

All these consequences

Result in more effective play

So stop procrastinating

Just get it done

Some progress is a lot better than none

-|-

Try not to look into the toaster while your bread is toasting. It can and will hit you square in the face without warning. Toasters don't care about your feelings.

Also, keep something in your pocket. Even if you have those tiny, annoying, useless women's pockets.

Last piece of big advice- find pretty things. It doesn't have to look pretty to everyone else, even a weirdly shaped sidewalk crack can be pretty. Just find pretty things, and you can remember that not all of life is ugly, and you can remember that even the little things can be interesting.

and now is when i realise i have no good advice to give...

but maybe it will all fall into place

if you try to muddle through

just a little longer

When changing a flat tire on your vehicle there are some easy bits of advice that will make it go faster and safer.

First, while the car is still on the ground break use the lug wrench to break all the nuts loose. The weight of the car will stop the wheel from spinning unlike if it were up in the air. If you're light, like my wife, you might need to jump on the wrench to break the lug nuts free.

Next, position the jack under the car in the manufacturer's recommended position. Typically it will be under the door sill pinch weld and often marked with an arrow. The manufacturer engineered this point to be strong for this exact purpose; any other point could damage the vehicle.

Next, jack the car up until the wheel is clearly off the ground.

Next, use the lug wrench to remove all of the lug nuts.

Once this is done, remove the wheel and slide it under the axle of the car. Do this for your safety. If the jack fails the wheel will stop the car from crashing to the ground and crushing you or from causing serious damage.

Install the new wheel and spin on all the lug nuts finger tight.

With the lug wrench, tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure proper yield on the bolts.

Finally, lower the car back down, stow the flat/damaged wheel, and stand back with with your head held high.

A couple days later it would be good to check the lug nuts to ensure they're still tight. If you're not sure, pop by any tire shop and they'll happily torque them properly at no charge.

Oh, and "focus on happy"...that's my life mantra.

Look at the stars and ask yourself what purpose they serve.

Are they there to be anything at all?

Think of the sailors who put meaning into these lifeless bodies far up into the heavens. Or, the myths of love and life. These glistening specks are given meaning, they are alive through us.

Give things meaning, it may give you hope.

As someone, who struggles with letting herself fall in love and be loved. I have come to the conclusion that if they are a person of merit and goodness, love. Let yourself love. Even if it doesn't come of anything and you are heartbroken. At least know that you are capable of such a love. And you will have it again.

Here's a poem about this feeling:

What do you do when the stars shine less without him?

Love anyway.

Break ground

with teeth in stomach

biting acid until air arrives.

Love loud with no words,

etching love on giving trees,

until there are stumps left of your love.

Until you burned it to the ground.

Leave the house in cinders,

walk away clean.

The stupidest, most honest, craziest, and soundest advice I can ever give you is to be the most stubborn person alive. If someone tells you authors don't make money, do your absolute best to prove that person wrong. I don't believe anyone can do anything. Instead, I believe the most stubborn will persevere. Don't take challenges against authors. Instead, challenge yourself out of your pure stubborn will. Then you will be successful because then you have proven the bastards otherwise.