"You can either get bitter or get better. It's that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate. It belongs to you."
-Josh Shipp

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer, I was surprised by how many people would stop me on the street and remark how "brave" and "strong" I was for choosing to stay in school during my family's crisis. While I appreciated the sentiment that came with these comments, I always found myself surprised at how many people believed they would give up if tragedy arose in their own lives.

As if life ceases to exist the moment s*** hits the fan

As if life ceases to matter once the dust settles and your greatest nightmare becomes reality.

In reality, I believe it is in our greatest trials that we determine who we are and what we are meant to do. It is at these crossroads, as I like to view them, that we determine how to respond and move forward.

And so when my dad passed away after a 13-month battle, I knew I had two choices: to lash out in anger and sacrifice all that I had done previously or to get up and get better.

I decided to land on my feet

To choose life and strive for anything and everything potentially available to me. To dare to ask the universe for what I wanted. To reinvent who Mikaela York was and rise out of the ashes.

Because when tragedy strikes, YOU become the ultimate decider of your fate

Regardless of unwarranted advice thrown or given your way, you still decide how you choose to live your life.

So dare to ask the universe for whatever it is you seek. Apply for that job or university. Go for the one your heart desires, regardless of whether or not you believe they are out of your league. And do so intentionally and purposefully.

This life is far too full of spoken tragedies and heartaches because more people are willing to talk about the suffering of others instead of the successes that arise after the tragedy has occurred. Choose instead to speak of the opportunity and joy that life offers after a tragedy.

Choose to find the good. Choose to cling to the idea of hope, regardless of how much it might hurt and regardless of the outcome because hope will always be the foundation you require to restart your life.

So get up, show up and never give up

On whatever it is your heart desires. To become whoever it is you aspire to be and never allow fear to dissuade your ever playful heart. You are capable of incredible things. Never forget that.