"Like a flower in the desert, I had to grow in the cruelest weather, holding onto every drop of rain just to stay alive. But it's not enough to survive. I want to bloom beneath the blazing sun and show you all the colors that live inside of me. I want you to see what I can become."
-Christy Ann Martine

For the last few months, I have found myself attracted to books and tv shows starring struggling twenty-somethings. People who look frazzled on the exterior, but are on their way to figuring out their purpose in this life and growing up one step and mistake at a time.

This I believe, has come from the overwhelming response I have seen on my social media lately of people getting married, having babies, landing their dream jobs and visiting the great unknown. And with it how I have unfairly compared my life to theirs, while others most likely compare theirs to mine.

But a flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms

Regardless of the cards life deals out. Regardless of how much water and sunlight it receives. Because no matter the circumstance, we all have the opportunity to bloom at some point. Even if it is much later than everyone else.

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn last year is that we never get over the trauma, we get through it. When my dad was diagnosed with cancer I wanted nothing more than to continue everything I once found to be "normal" in my life and excel more than ever before.

What I learned; however, is that I am not omnipotent nor bulletproof

That my sense of normal was changing, and so was I. That I could either allow my hardships and misfortunes to define me or decide to turn my struggles into something productive and new.

I decided to bloom anyway

Despite the doubts of others and despite the lack of opportunity I believed I had.

Because it is not enough to survive, and I want to show the colors that live inside of me. To show the world what I am capable of despite life's greatest challenges and despite the fears, others once carried for me.

And if there is one thing I can recommend to you in this large and hectic world, it's to find the strength from within to bloom. To not only survive off of the few nutrients supplied to you but to thrive.

To experience your great unknowns and to visit the places you never believed possible. To strive for that job, that school, that life and to never stop until you make it yours. To live a life full of meaning and purpose. To breathe in the fresh air that pumps your lungs and to laugh harder and louder than ever before.

The world needs more flowers like you

It just might not know it yet. And it may not seem like it's adequately supplying your needs, but you are far more resilient than anyone else can ever understand.

So bloom anyway despite the risks, and never allow fear to control your ever playful heart.