The past two summers have brought a lot of change for me, so it seems as if I now see summer as a time for differences, abnormality, and growth. Last summer was one of my favorites because it brought forth a reunion I had longed for for quite some time and a good sense of security. Of course, that was rocked as soon as I left for college, but now that I'm back home again for the summer it seems that that was a good thing.

Everything changes and not a single thing is permanent. I learned that early this summer and it's given me the chance to make goals for the future. I can't control what changes or how it does, but I can control how I react to it. Instead of being bummed and deciding to let the nostalgia and yearning for things past get me down, I've decided to look forward.

Goals are a necessary part of life that help you live to your fullest and I've never realized that more than I do now. Your friends are busy? Get a hobby. No one's answering your texts? Stop trying for a little. You aren't working enough hours? Do something creative. Feeling a little lazy? Go workout. The list goes on. There is a solution to all problems if you look within yourself to find happiness.

Einstein really was right that you can't expect a different outcome if you continuously do the same thing. Otherwise you truly are insane. The best way to beat that insanity is to refuse to allow change to overcome you. You must overcome change by instead taking control of your mind and your thoughts and focusing on positive changes that you can make instead of the negative ones that happen naturally. I still have a long ways to go, but considering the patterns I hold, I've made more progress than ever before.

Summer for me has become a time for change and as of a few weeks ago this one has been deemed the summer of personal growth. It's time for me to be the center of my attention and to remain dependable, but not always available. Focusing on yourself is important so you can keep yourself and those around you happy. Change is an inevitable part of life that no one can stop and as much as I used to resent that i'm taking a hold of it now. Reactions to people and situations are everything and that's the one thing you do have control over.

It may not be your choice how you feel about a particular situation, but it is your choice how you react to it. In order to remain sane and beat out the insanity of uncertainty and the never-ending changes of life, choose wisely.