I'm at the top of the mountain, and the view is just invigorating, let alone breath-taking. With each step up the mountain, my resolve has only made me stronger. There have been difficult decisions I have made with the choices that were given to me. I have walked along a path that was windy and rocky.

Some decisions were not easy to make and I did need guidance on my journey. No matter how much I wished things to be different or better, I knew I would have to come to a decision and learn to live with it. After making a decision, I did feel like shit at first, but eventually, I felt so liberated. The monkey that was stabbing my back is gone, and I can be free to be a new person and not feel obligated to do or say things I don't want to.

I have let go I guys I used to like, I have changed majors several times, I have had to come to the realization that there are some people that you cannot assume that are your best friends, and I have come to know myself as an insecure person. The first step forward to making a decision about these things and how to deal with them is to first acknowledge them. That in itself is a sort of strength that can be harnessed.

Once you pass this step, you're ready to rock and roll with the punches. For me, acknowledging my weaknesses was arduous. I wanted to save face and not show that I was a burden, that I was insecure, and couldn't handle things on my own. Crying under the sheets in my bed did not give me the catharsis that I needed.

After acknowledging your insecurities, the next step is to be productive in your life. That may include how you go about your daily life; such as putting more vigor in your daily routine, doing that project you put off for so long, or simply learning something that has caught your interest.

Sitting around and waiting for something to happen is a no-go. You get up off your butt and DO something. Sure, things may seem slow at first and you may not get the results you want right away, but be patient. Things will come around if you have faith in yourself and do things for yourself that is productive as well as healthy.

With the acknowledgment you made about your insecurities and the progress that you made with yourself, you can strengthen your resolve. It's like walking up a mountain. When everything feels like an uphill struggle, just think of the view at the top. Progress is progress, and it's okay to take your time.

Just know that you have the ability to make your own decisions. I have faced the choice in my life whether I should be happy or unhappy. It's a simple inquisition, but I made my decision to be productive in my life after being in unfortunate situations. Of course, I have my family to thank for giving me the guidance I needed to move on. With the guidance I was given and by being productive, I am more proactive in my life.