In the last three years my life has seen many ups and many downs. But even at the worst of times, I have found myself not only surviving, but also flourishing. I felt hopeless and lost for so long, and I felt like I was a lost cause; a zombie full of sadness, defeat and depression. I thought I would never recover. It was such a hard time in my life and I never thought I would be happy again. I never thought my life would be whole again. But the famous quote "time heals all wounds" is very accurate, because time healed my heartbreak and I felt better over time.

The second half of 2014 (late June onward to May 2015) was a rough patch. During that time, I suffered the loss of a family member. My cousin unfortunately passed during the week of my graduation, and due to financial strain in my family, I was unable to have a graduation party and the summer of my dreams was unfortunately ruined. It devastated me because everything I wanted didn't happen the way I wanted it to. I felt because of what happened to me, I would never be happy again.

But I did find happiness. All my little broken shards and pieces came together, and almost three years later, I'm happier than I ever was in the past. I've become a better person--one who is way happier and still in the process of working on building the best possible life for myself. Finding myself and working on my life is an ongoing effort. I am one who does not give up so soon.

No matter what you experience, and no matter what breaks your heart--be it whether a lost friendship or relationship, or in my case having the summer of your dreams destroyed, you can recover from it and begin again. Just because something didn't work out the way you wanted it to, doesn't mean it's over. For so long I felt it was all over, but my mother words always echoed in my mind: "as long as your living, you can make new memories, have parties and celebrate. Life will go on". Just because my high school graduation story was not at all perfect doesn't mean my life is over. Just because a relationship or friendship didn't work out doesn't mean you're alone, and it doesn't mean everything is over.

You will be ok.

I thought my life was over at 17, and that I would never be happy again. But I realized that my life was just beginning. Things weren't "going down hill" for me, things were only going to start getting better. Life will be amazing eventually, just give yourself some time. Not everything is perfect, but life is beautiful. I found greater happiness than I ever had in the past. My life is more solid now than it ever has been. My failed high school graduation event didn't define me as a person, but it's a small part of who I am, and whatever bad situation you were in doesn't define you, either. Eventually things get better and your able to be happy again.

Here are some quotes that inspire me and have helped me feel hopeful:

"Hope rises like a Phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams." - (S.A. Sachs)

"Sometimes you just have to die a little inside to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you." - Unknown

"Often it's the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self." - Karen Salmansohn

"The phoenix must burn to emerge." - Janet Fitch

"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." - Carl Gustav Jung

"I never worry, life is a journey, I just wanna enjoy the ride, what is the hurry it's pretty early, it's ok we'll take our time, the night is still young." - Nicki MInaj ("The Night is still Young")

"Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us." - Nicole Reed

"I'm blue no more, walkin' round in a circle, deja vu no more, walkin' round in a circle." - Jessica Simpson ("Walkin round in a circle")

"Your story isn't over yet." - Unknown

"I fly with the stars in the skies, I am no longer trying to survive,I believe that life is a prize,this is my moment, I waited all my life." - Nicki Minaj (Moment 4 Life Nicki Minaj feat. Drake)

"Life isn't simple, but the beauty of it is,you can always start over, it'll get easier." - Alacia Bessette

"In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life, it goes on." - Robert Frost

"Starting today, I need to forget what's gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what's coming next. "- Unknown

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." - Victor Hugo

I hope these quotes and my story will inspire others. It took me a long time to realize there is life beyond heartbreak and beyond hard times. I've seen it all in terms of life experiences. I've suffered financial lows and have had my dreams shattered into a million pieces. My heart has been broken and my relationships have seen there lowest points. However, I have also realized the bad situations will pass and life gets better. There's so many great things in life and eventually you will feel better, and you're going to experience all the awesome stuff that is out there.