Do you believe that the past is simply done, or that history is still being made and you can actually influence it? Of course, the way you entered the world carries inherent proclivities and propensities. Indeed, your family follows rules and traditions that have been in place for centuries, so can anything truly change?

What rituals have you been performing your entire life? Have you come to trust in them? Perhaps you have been taught why life is the way it is and you fully accept it. But maybe you wish to change the world in a meaningful way. Can you give loyalty to the idea that it is possible?

Not sure if life is passing you by or trying to run you over? Uh-oh. It could be that if something hasn’t happened in your life, you came to believe that either it can’t or it shouldn’t. If everything is predetermined, what would be the point in making efforts?

Yet we observe that in fact things do change and evolve all the time. You can write your own narrative, sweet friends. There may be something in the here and now that you desperately wish to transform or reform. And if at first you don’t succeed, try it like Mom said.

You may have resigned yourself to simply accept the way things are. Then again, they say: The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. On the other hand, you may be one who questions long-held beliefs. Know this: The universe is being made at every moment. You can make a difference even if it is on a small scale.

You can help change ideas about the current “résumé and fact-checking dating system,” which has evolved over the last few decades and is clearly an abysmal failure. Be brave enough to start a new movement if need be. Do not be intimidated, sweet friends.

Current views on things may become fixed for no good reason at all. Challenge them. Then again, they say: Even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can do nothing to change it—look before they cross the road. Be confident to make changes and create an impact. Don’t forget that the world exists inside your head as well as outside. Everyone you know seems to be preoccupied in their own head. At times you may feel as if the universe does not even notice you.

You might care a lot about the world, but it may not seem like it pays much attention to you. You may truly wish to improve the world and yet your motivation is subjective. Please ensure that your desire is not purely ego-driven.

What do you think the universe needs? Indeed, life would be easier if it came with a “skip intro” button. Advances in technology have made humans lose genuine connection or even turned us into commodities. So how do you offset the so-called progress? What does this mean to the bigger picture?

Be delicate and precarious with some of your choices. You inevitably change the world simply by interacting with your loved ones on a daily basis. Your deeds and dealings with others may lead to something positive or negative even if you do not realize it at the time.

You cannot avoid the cause and effect of the universe. What you can do is search for meaning in your life. Pursue genuine connection and follow your passions and pursuits. Help those around you seek peace and reconciliation.

You can be better, sweet friends. Be a better child, parent, and friend. You can be a more helpful husband or wife, a kinder sister or brother. Ask more often how you can help. You cannot offer others peace if you do not first generate it within yourself. You know it’s been said: Be the person your coffee thinks you are. Then again, by replacing your morning coffee with green tea, you can lose up to 89% of what little joy you have in your life.

You are more than your mistakes, sweet friends. Hopefully you are even more than you were yesterday. Show up with love in your heart even for those you don’t know. Ask if he’s okay. Maybe her ideas conflict with yours. Show up with respect anyway. You know what they say: People are very open-minded about new things, as long as they’re exactly like the old ones.

So go out into the world and be kind to as many people as possible. Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.

Caroline is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor, and writer with an office in Queens.  She works with individuals, couples, and families.  Appointments are available throughout the week and weekends.  She can be reached at 917-717-1775 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at facebook.com/pages/Safe-Haven-Healing.