I don't care what religion you are or aren't. Whether you believe what goes around comes around or that something divine has your path set in a way that is meant to be. However you view life, I think nothing makes sense. I think free will exists. But most of all, I think that life is what you make it. End of story.

So many people go about their lives trying to be good. If I had a dollar for every time someone has said, "You are a good person, so good things will happen to you," I would be a billionaire. And while yes, that is sweet to say to anyone, I think it's a load of crap.

In a way, I agree. Good things happen to good people. But it's not for the reasoning most people associate with it. The reason good things happen has nothing to do with a god or karma. It's how that person views life in general. They choose to see the good in everything. They choose optimism no matter what. And when a person does that, everything that happens to them will be good because they make the best of most situations.

I like to think I am one of those people. I try to be the best I can be and care for those closest to me and be there for a stranger who needs someone to talk to. And it's taken me a while to stop believing a combination of karma and fate. Good things don't happen because I try to do good. Good things happen because I see the good in every situation. Helping someone helps me because I feel good about myself after. I feel fulfilled in helping others and that brings me happiness. Therefore, I am an overall happier person. Happiness equates to optimism, and so I view things in the best light I can. I work hard for others. That makes me realize, I can do good with this effort. What if I transfer this effort to schoolwork? That will get me good grades. Boom. Karma shattered. Doing good didn't entitle me to anything. It motivated me to better myself, and only then did better things happen for me.

In certain aspects, I do believe in fate and destiny. Certain events and people that you come across in a lifetime I do steadfastly believe were meant to happen or you were meant to know. However, those are only cornerstones to your life. Everything you do with those circumstances and people is 100 percent up to you. Staying positive and taking the good out of everything leads to a happy, well-lived life. It's not drawn out for you already.

What I'm trying to get at is: Good people have good things happen because they make it that way. They use every moment in a way that enriches their life. They stay optimistic, and they equip themselves with the knowledge they gather along the way to lead a great life. Great people didn't sit back. Great people didn't get the best in life because they were good to others. In fact, it's more often than not quite the opposite. But to those who stay positive and think every day is a gift and to use it to the fullest, yes. They will always lead good lives in their mind. Not because it was predestined. Because they chose it.

A good life is an act of free will. No one but yourself can do that for you. It's all about perspective. And no matter what, try to do what I do. Wake up every morning and say, "Today is a great day to be alive." And then? Go out and prove it. Seize the day. Seize your good life.