The word "commandment" has an air of absoluteness, but I think there is a reason we need commandments. Though we have wisdom, we seldom have the will to live by it, unless it has the force of a commandment. Each of us often falter, in similar ways repeatedly, so we need "personal"commandments to remind us not make the same mistakes, in life and love. Now is a time of reflection for me and here are my commandments I hope not to falter from:

Love thy self. Happiness starts with you. Not your relationships, not your career, not what you have. Don't define yourself by other people, positions, or possessions.

Be thy self. Be a geek! Be a goofball! Embrace who you are, even if you make a fool of yourself. Don't pretend to be someone else just to make others happy and seek their validation.

If you love someone, love them for who they are. If there is something about them you can't live with, don't stay in a relationship out of guilt, or have a naive hope that things will change. A lifetime of habits don't change easily, especially if one doesn't want to change.

Don't give up easily, but when it's time to let go...let go. It takes courage to let go and accept uncertainty the future holds.

In love and life, don't give to get. Seek happiness in the giving itself, but don't give more than you can or more than you are willing to give, just to win someone's attention or affection. If they truly love you, they will love you for who you are.

Listen to your heart. Use your mind, but don't ignore your heart. If you have a gut feeling, heed to it.

Be happy...life is too short not to. Embrace every moment! There is beauty and happiness in every moment, if you chose to see it. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Take chances! Don't be afraid to fail or get hurt, but learn from your failures.

Don't be afraid to be sad or angry ...Sadness and anger are as much a part of life, as happiness is...

...but, before you speak in the heat of an emotion, think! Say what you think, but be kind to others and yourself, not just for others sake but for your sake as well. What you say has the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.