Depression: (noun) a state of being sad; a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, unimportant and is often unable to live in a normal way.

Happiness: (noun) a state of being happy; a state of well-being and contentment.

For the last several years, I have been trying to beat one and achieve the other, find a balance and survive with depression and happiness. It has been countless accounts of trial and error, but that is what life is all about. Depression is a tricky disease. Not only is it a mental illness, it is different for everyone. Different individuals experience a wide variety of symptoms, each person copes in a different way and each person finds happiness in a different way. I'm here to tell you my key to happiness to hopefully help you:

First, you have to recognize Depression is a part of you.

This was the hardest part for me. I went through a long period of Depression with little improvement. I thought that it would always be like that until I started to get better. However, when I was improving and I experienced a low, I became confused and angry. I always thought to myself "I thought this was over." Truthfully, Depression will always be with me. I will experience highs and lows and I have to learn how to cope with both of them.

Adjust your life accordingly.

See what works best for you. If you are happier when you are busy, get working. Find something that interests you and do it. Join clubs, read books, write in a journal, whatever helps you be happy: do it. Figure out what gets you down and cut it out. Whether its certain people, food, activities, whatever: get rid of it.

Find good vibes.

I don't mean to sound corny or like a Tumblr post, but it's true. Hang up tapestries or posters with bright colors and happy thoughts. Light candles that remind you of a place of bliss. Listen to music that makes you feel good. Anything that makes your soul happy.

Get moving.

Go on a run, take a walk outside, dance in your room, anything that gets the blood flowing. My Depression makes me sluggish and not want to do anything, and doing the exact opposite of that helps.

Be organized.

Get a calendar and plan your week. Clean your room and keep it that way. File your paperwork. Throw away what you don't need in your closet. Whatever clutter is around you, fix it. This will clear your space and your mind so you can think and work clearly.

Educate yourself.

Read about Depression, understand the disease. It is complicated and the more you know, the better you can asses yourself and know what you are dealing with. Read about others experiences, learn different ways to connect with yourself, find out how other people are happy. Take what you learn from everyone and apply it to yourself.

You need to try.

For the first few years that I realized I had Depression, I didn't try to get better. Something was wrong with me and that's how its going to be. When I actually started to put effort into being happy, I saw results. It was not easy I will admit, but the smallest things make all the difference. Put effort into looking at the bright side of things, it will eventually become a habit. Surround yourself with people that make you feel good and reach out to them. You need to make sure they are in your life. Instead of staying in your low point by listening to sad music or watching a sad movie, recognize how you're feeling and change. Put on a song that makes you happy, watch a movie that makes you belly laugh. You will feel better afterwards. Actively try to improve your life.

Don't fight it.

When you are experiencing a low, accept it. Still continue to get out of it, but be aware that you are in it. When I would try to deny that I wasn't feeling good was when it became worse. I got angry at myself which led to me getting angry at the people surrounding me. You will feel low points, realize that and push forward.

Don't be embarrassed.

There is nothing wrong with you for having Depression. I'm not saying you have to tell everyone you know, but you also don't need to sweep it away for no one to ever find out. I never wanted anyone to know and it made me anxious. "What if someone finds out?" "What will they think of me if they know?" No one will judge you because of your struggles. Reach out to someone and share your story. Writing here is the most vocal I have ever been about my Depression. I am doing so to embrace myself and ultimately help others who are experiencing the same thing.

Spread happiness.

Not everyone has Depression and not everyone will understand it, but that's okay. If you see someone else down, try to bring them up. Help others see the silver lining. Tweet your favorite inspirational quote of the day. Happiness radiates to other people and the happier the people are that you surround yourself with, the happier you will be.