Dear Hardships,

You will never bring me down.

With love, me.

I am a strong believer that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Life can throw whatever it wants at me, and nothing will tear me down. It will try and try... but it just will not work. I will continue being the annoying, optimistic, and positive person that I am. Everyone, no matter their family/life situation, has a choice. You have power, and you have control over your own life. If you have been through a rough time, as we all have, you can view that time as a life lesson and use it to improve your life and/or the lives of others. Perspective is everything. Use your experiences, knowledge, and hardships for the better. Which path will you choose: strength, love, and positivity, or regret, apathy, and negativity?

Obstacles that you come across should not be used as a crutch, or an excuse. It's clichè, but we all fight our own battles. We all have aspects of our every day life that may have some hinderance on living our every day life. We all have both positive and negative experiences that make up who we are. I find it disrespectful when those encountering difficulties try to make it known to as many people as possible. There is a difference between reaching out for help and simply seeking attention. Deal with your personal difficulties appropriately.

You can choose to learn from your life experiences, and use them for the better, or think of them negatively and miss out on life. Yes, you do miss out on life when you constantly remind yourself of the negatives. You're missing out on the moment that is here and now. There comes a point where you must accept the past, or even the present, and move on. Here is another great clichè: when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. There's no point in moping and complaining if there is nothing you can do about it. Make the most of the situation. If there is something you can do about it, get out there and do it. Life is what you make it. Live the life you want to live. Make it happen.

The point that I'm trying to emphasize is that you choose what is taken from your obstacles in life. Accept and learn from them, or see them as negatives and miss out on an opportunity to enhance your wisdom. I know it is much, much easier said than done, but with some effort, you will be able to take the good from your hardships. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Everything that has happened in the past had to happen for you to be where you are right in this moment. If even a millisecond in time was changed, life would not be the same as it is, and you may not be here right now.

Try changing your perspective every now and then. It may suit you better, and maybe even help you to view the world through more brightly colored lenses.