I have often heard that most marriages end in divorce, but when delving into divorce statistics, it becomes clear that this view is more complex.

As children, we often take things for granted and peace is one of them, because disagreements at that stage are usually minor and quickly forgotten. As we grow older, conflicts can become more serious and long-lasting and we leave things hanging with the expectation that they will resolve themselves like when we were young. I know of situations where family members have held grudges for years over something said or done. To maintain peace, conscious efforts are needed by the parties involved to ensure matters are resolved so that relationships can be kept safe.

In movies and songs, we often hear of "listen to your heart". However, this can be misleading because the heart is our center of emotions. Emotions are changeable and can lead us astray. Instead, it's wiser to seek sound, well-rounded advice that serves a greater purpose beyond personal desires.

Our identity is a choice. If we don't actively take part in that choice, then outside factors will decide on an identity for us. In the previous piece, “Identity is a choice (Part 1)”, I spoke about the different aspects of identity, what it is, how it's formed, and how I came to create mine. In its closing, I mentioned that an identity should be made up of good and strong qualities. Here, I delve deeper into what I mean by this.