I spent a recent snowy afternoon with a dear friend sitting in a coffee shop, warming up with some frothy drinks and talking about life.

During our discussion, my friend and I came to these conclusions.

Life is purpose-driven. All too frequently, people are won over by emotionally touching words, such as, “I will keep my heart beating only for you no matter what, and I have never expected the same portion of love from you.”

I am sorry to burst your bubble, but, realistically, there are very few people this genuine and selfless.

I don’t doubt that true love can be real. But, for someone simply to express his or her love through words isn’t enough.

Anyone quick to say they are “sincere” is, unfortunately, often not; be wary.

Life does not have a standard. Choosing a mate is a crucial decision in life. We all have an ideal template about our Mr. and Mrs. Right.

I’ve found that this standard is more or less the same across cultures.

But somehow, the mate most people finally pair up with is not as perfect as the ideal they had imagined they would be.

Never sell yourself short, but also be open to a good surprise in loving someone you may have otherwise dismissed.

Life is a compromise. We all hate to compromise, but we just can’t avoid it. In attaining the things we want most in life, we often have to sacrifice others.

Take for instance a restaurant in London’s China Town. This restaurant is known for its delicious dishes, but it has abominable customer service. Nonetheless, it’s booming with business every night; this is because its customers are willing to compromise on service for taste.

Life isn’t fair: The saying, “God gives and takes away” is so true. No one is perfect.

Beethoven was a talented and outstanding musician, however, he was deaf; Franklin D. Roosevelt left a glorious name on the presidential history of the United States, but his legs were permanently paralyzed because of polio; I was not born in a rich family, but my life is happy and pleasant.

It is important not to take anything for granted, no matter how bad things may seem, there will always be someone willing to trade his or her position for yours.

Life is an encompassing progress. Sweetness, sourness, bitterness and spiciness are all in one. Happiness and contentment depends on how we interpret what we run into and how we convert it from hatred to enjoyment.

At the coffee shop, I enjoyed the company of a friend, the joy of a relaxing afternoon and the thrill of stimulating conversation.

However, for as much as my friend and I determined about life, the most important realization I came to is that I will never know everything.

I’m just excited to keep learning.

Ho is a junior from Macau, China, in journalism.

— Ho is a junior from Macau, China, in journalism.