Being happy is a decision, one you make every day. Some can argue that this isn't true, and that other external factors change an individual's happiness, but that just simply isn't the case. At least not for me.
Take it from someone who has had my fair share of obstacles, and hardships, just like anyone else. Though I would never say that I've had it worse than someone, because the truth is, we never really know do we? My troubles could be a normal Tuesday for someone else, and yet here I am complaining about them, like it's the end of the world. That's not fair at all.
The things that happen to you don't define your outlook on life. Sure, they change your reasoning, your passions, and your opinions, but none of those things make you a happy or unhappy person. You do.
We can choose to dwell in the uncontrollable events and happenings within our lives, or we can choose to embrace the good that lies within.
It's so easy for us to focus solely on the stressful situations, the unexpected diagnosis, or the inevitable and unpredictable future, that we get so caught up in it, we forget to notice the good things going on around us.
The past two years of my life have been the hardest. I've made tough decisions, moved away from everyone I thought I cared about, took on a new town by myself, struggled through my freshman year in college, learned what it's like to be financially and academically on the edge, lost friends, lost family members, and had to face issues from my past that I used to not even be able to think about without bursting into tears. Doesn't sound like too much fun does it?
Yet, the past two years have also been the best two years thus far. My decisions were greeted by new beginnings, moving helped me create a new home for myself, struggling helped me become more responsible, more resilient, and to feel more accomplished. Losing friends taught me lessons that I would have needed to learn eventually, and made room for new people in my life, some of whom, also turned out to be the best people I've ever met. Losing family members is always hard, but in doing so, releasing them from their pain, and bringing my family closer together came out of it, and facing the issues that I tried so desperately to put to sleep, or pretend like they never happened, forced me out of my comfort zone, and taught me how to deal with things head on. The truth is, you can't run from the bad things in your life. There will always be ups and downs, but I can guarantee that if you look back, you can almost always find something good that happened because of it. Regardless of how big or small you think it might be. Like the time in 8th grade when I accidentally served a volleyball into the new coach's head at try outs and wasn't invited back...which led to me seeking out other things to get involved in, including an organization that opened countless doors for me. That's just a tiny example of things you don't realize are already in the works for you.

Love,
Kayla
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