Never trust words; anyone can be charming and say all of the right things. But rather, judge how a person treats you and acts towards you.

It's actions, not words that matter. 

As you grow older, your circle of friends gets smaller. 

When I was younger, I had, what I thought back then, "friends for life." However, I think this lovely little quote is quite apt here: 

​"You all too gracefully walked out of my life, took your final bow, and exited stage left. I was just a scene in the movie that is your life and the curtain finally went down on me, leaving me in the dark."

And when this happened, I was really upset. I couldn't understand why "friends" of mine would write me off from their lives in an instant. I used to think of ways to reconcile things with one particular one and it felt like my attempts were failing. But then, acceptance arrived and gave me a warm hug. It told me I can cope without a bunch of friends and life goes on. 

I'm grateful for my current friends. I don't have many, but the ones I do have are the ones I really love, cherish and hope will be mine forever. 

I believe people cross your path for a reason and leave it at a certain time for another reason. 

I enjoyed studying Psychology as an A/Level. It was deeply fascinating - but when it came to the exam, we were told about a formula that guaranteed a pass mark. It was the formula of how to construct an argument. You have to make a statement. You have to use evidence. You have to conclude this statement. Then start a new paragraph and do the same. 

It was pretty cool, because this formula allowed me to get an A in my overall A Level. I was thrilled! 

Anyway, although I didn't pursue Psychology study further, or use it in my career, from time to time, I like to read magazines like Psychology Today and it often certain statements, research, evidence or conclusions stand out to me  because of people or situations I've come across. Here's a quote I came across today and I feel like this is something so many parents make the mistake of doing with their children:

Parents who raise narcissists, Ludden says, "present to their kids a world where everything is a competition: There are winners and losers and you've got to be a winner." A healthier approach would be to teach children that "they don't have to be the best, just the best that they can be."

This is especially apparent in Indian/Pakistani cultures as I have witnessed this in many relatives/friends circles - they love to compare kids to other kids in their families, as though it is a race to the finishing line. Jeeeeeeeeez. Just calm downnnn. :) 
​Peace.