A Look back at life lessons of 2014

2014, a year filled with the most valuable lessons that most people take their ENTIRE life to learn. I want to share my lessons that I learned in hopes that maybe I can help, at least 1 person, to create a better tomorrow.

Lessons Learned in 2014:

#1 Money is will NEVER buy happiness

This year in 2014 I worked a lot, and almost every day. I made good money and decided to buy myself EVERYTHING I could ever want. I had everything, I had more than enough, but I still was not happy. 

Picture found off of Google

#2 It isn’t a matter of WHERE you are, It is all about WHO you are with.!
I could be anywhere, the mall, Texas, Savannah, my bedroom, or church but the places did not make me happy. I could be there alone, or with the hottest man on earth but if I wasn’t with the people I love, it meant absolutely nothing to me. Why travel the world alone, when you can travel with a loved one? Trust me, you can go as far as the other side of the world, and you still will not be happy for very long.
I learned that Lakeville, isn’t as bad as I thought it was just because I knew that the people I loved would be here. And as long as they are in Lakeville, Lakeville will be a good place for me.

My parents Sandy & Gary Volkman
Been together for 46 years.!
They have travel across America together and never been any happier.!
Photography by: Meghanlee Volkman

#3 Love & Be Loved

Love is NOT a feeling, or an emotion. It is a lifestyle.
Urban Dictionary Definition: “Lust is the desire for their body; love is the desire for their soul.”
Bible Definition:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
 I do not how you could show love just based off of feelings besides sexual actions, and even that can NOT be interpreted as love anymore. For Sex, has become such a casual act of “passing the time” that it almost means nothing in today’s society. Which to me is terrible, but sometimes we have to face the facts. Love is wanting to connect with someone whether that is the intentions of marriage, friendship or family, you will build a relationship and want to make the connection between you and another person. Love is judging none, and being there for all, wanting what is best for each person as an individual, and helping as much as one can for those whom are in need of love. If you love others; others will love you.
Learn to connect with other peoples souls instead of their bodies. Create bonds based off of the knowledge of one another and seeing how you can help the other.

Models:
Aaron Almedina, Skinny Hardaway, Thien Nguyen & Meghanlee Volkman
All apart of #TeamVolk
Photography by: Little Sister (Mya Burks)

#4 Actions speak louder than words.

A lot of people can “talk the talk”; But I don’t know many who “walk the walk”. You can say that you want to be successful or that you are a happy, peaceful person but until your actions are more prominent than your words, you will be nothing more than a talker. Don’t fall into the path of deception, just be you, and act as you want to be known.  For your actions will be remembered MUCH longer than your words.

Models & Best Friends
Meghanlee Volkman & Adreanna Manirath
Photography by: Hannah Ostby

#5 NEVER forget who your TRUE Friends are.

I tried to create friendships with people whom I knew weren’t good for me. I tried to connect with people whom I knew I meant nothing too. But at the end of the day there is always my best friend, whom I know won’t ignore me on purpose or forget about me. No matter the time of day my bestie is ALWAYS there for me. Sure we don’t see each other every day or live anywhere near each other, but if I ever need them or they need me, we are only a phone call away.! 

My Best Friend, Ben, & I. <3

#6 Team work is the BEST kind of work out there.

If you don’t have a team of some sort, whether it is a sport, a job, a group of friends, please create one this year. Creating a solid team was the BEST decision I made this year. I created a team so loyal and so productive that NONE of my dreams would have come true if it weren’t for them!

The entire #TeamVolk @ Our Christmas Show
"What Christmas Means" 

 #7 He did it ALL for us.

He died, for me. Why would I be selfish and live my life for myself. Someone gave up their own life just so I would have the freedom to live however I chose, and by disrespecting myself, I am basically shrugging off his sacrifice like his death meant nothing to me.  Stop being selfish, and start living a life of peace. Trying to live like Jesus will surprisingly take away a lot of pain and suffrage. Stop saying thank you only church and start living thank you, by being the best most peaceful, non-judgmental, lovable you, you can possibly be.

Cluster of Crosses at my church
Trinity Evangelical Free Church
Photography by: Meghanlee Volkman

#8 Find yourself through Spiritual Awakening.

I spent a good amount of time this year finding myself, and figuring out what I wanted out of my life and what my true purpose on earth is to be. It is most definitely a 6month to 1 year process. So if you want to begin I would suggest beginning right on January 1^st and see how much you learn about yourself in one year. You can find spiritual awakening articles based on any religion you decide to use as a pathway, OR even one just based on the earth and oneself if you are a non-believer. Google spiritual awakening and try it out, you’d be ah-mazed at how little you know, until you fully awaken your spirit.

Photography by: Jaime Candia
Drawing by: Annie Vang
Model: Meghanlee Volkman

Thank you for spending another year with The Volk. Hope to spend many more with you.!

Be Fierce. Be Fashion. Be YOU.!

@volk_fashion / www.facebook.com/themlvolk