Ever since I was injured in a car accident, my parents have constantly told me to look on the bright side. They tell me I am being too negative and I need to see the positives instead of moping around about something that is in the past and will not change. I am alive. I can walk. I can speak and much more. They tell me to focus on all of these positives.

Although the accident depresses me sometimes, I believe I am alive for a reason. Not only did I miraculously survive the accident, but I am strong enough to sustain my life afterwards. I am not suicidal nor do I wish to be. This is all because of one thing: my ability to see the bright side.

Although not everyone has been involved in a car accident that is as horrific as mine was, everyone has dealt with or will deal with traumatic incidents in the future. This is why even when we are filled with so many negatives and so much doubt over something, you must always ask yourself what the positives are. If you do this, you will live a happy life.

Although I am grateful I can see the positives, I will not lie and say that the accident does not depress me sometimes. It does. I miss being in school. I miss my friends. I miss my independence. Although I miss these things, there are things I have gained and things that I will continue to gain. Although I have realized I have made some mistakes in the past since the accident due to my traumatic brain injury, I have healed so much. I now understand the failures I have made, and I now understand what is right, what is wrong and why. I believe that although I have made countless mistakes, I am now stronger because of the accident. I have dealt with terrible incidents before, with the death of my friends, family members and more, but nothing like this. I have, however, made remarkable progress. I have looked at texts I sent earlier in my recovery and I stood there shocked. I was in disbelief that those words had come out of my mouth but they, unfortunately, did.

Although it was sad to see how insanely deluded I was, obviously not thinking clearly to the best of my ability like I normally did, I was happy I have improved so much. I would never say those things again now and I am glad to know my recovery has made such remarkable progress. This is not only revealing a certain happiness and pride in me, but it is also motivation to keep improving. With this motivation, I am able to go to my therapy each day with a smile on my face. I go to each one of my sessions and participate instead of sulking around telling myself life is horrible now.

Although I would take the car accident back if I could, I know I will improve so much more before I go back to school. Not only will I improve the injuries in my brain that I received from the accident, but I will also be so much stronger than I ever was. I will be able to deal with traumatic incidents that will cross my path in the future. Although they will still be difficult, of course, I will be able to put on a brave face now when I deal with them because I am dealing with something so terrible early on in life. Not only will I be stronger, but I also will be incredibly aware. I will no longer make those silly mistakes I made before. I will be able to think before I speak now. I will be able to think about every possibility I could take before I make a decision.

Although this may sound easy to do, it is truly not, especially with a traumatic brain injury. Since I will be aware enough to see how all of my choices could affect my and others' lives in the future, I will be able to choose the right path that will benefit everyone's lives.

I do believe that, although sometimes I feel so depressed about the accident, I will become a great person. People are going through so much worse than I have ever been through or am going through. I am strong enough to realize all of this pain is temporary and my successes will last forever in the future. With this strength, I can fight off any suicidal thoughts that could cross my mind. I know my future will be great and I know that everyone who loves me would be devastated and their lives would be changed forever.

Although I am lucky to have this insight, I aspire to encourage everyone else to have it as well. Whenever you're feeling incredibly depressed, imagine you could have a terminal disease, a parent who has died, a friend who is sick and other incidents that are so much worse than whatever you are dealing with. Imagine that you could be dead. If these thoughts have been able to help me, I am quite sure they can help any of you. I hope that after you have read this article, you will be able to think of all the positives that have occured or will arise in your life. Without thinking of these positives, you can never break out of your state of depression. This will be debilitating and you can never live a truly happy life if you are constantly depressed. From someone who is going through such a horrible incident right now, I want you all to know it will get better. It always will. You always will.