As years come and go, dwindling down to little snippets of our favorite moments to add to our memories, it's about that time where we have the opportunity to start a clean slate. Recalling all 365 days that 2017 owned and the lessons that the year brought with it, I can honestly thank the universe for this year in particular.

To those who don't know what having a higher outer locus of control means, basically, it is that whatever experiences you endure, you believe that it is a cause of the universe. You stubbed your toe, failed your statistics test, and your mom called you to let you know that you still owe her $50; well, the universe is 'out to get you' huh.

I encourage those of you to foster a new mindset as we enter the new year. Indeed, there are moments where everyone, including me, is absolutely convinced that the world is determined to make your life a burning pit of fall outs and heartbreak, but I promise you there are better ways to look at these aspects of life that you loathe.

You don't have control over everything that happens in your life; however, you do have control over how it makes you feel.

It sounded odd and, pardon my language, kind of BS when someone first explained this to me. I've been lead to believe the higher power or figure, if you will, has a plan for all of us. Then why, do things that ultimately and truly suck, seem to happen to us more often than not.

Here's the thing, you are constantly lulled to sleep by the blabber of those around you telling you that "it's not a bad life, just a bad day," "it will get better, just give it some time," and my favorite "there's no way for you to be doing great 100% of the time, it's impossible to avoid bad happenings in your lifetime." But I bet that not many have given you the idea to take a step back and consider the actual things that make us upset.

As dramatic as my thoughts are, and trust me you're only getting a glimpse at what used to be a very common thought process that housed itself in my brain, they led me to a truly negative take on life. However, I've been lead to such an uplifting and light-hearted take on experiencing existence.

Yes, things do 'happen' to us and sometimes they make us want to crawl up into a ball and cry; however, what is it that makes us physically sick to our stomachs? It is our judgment of these things that enter our lives and the way we automatically seem to title things as 'bad' and 'good,' 'wrong' and 'right.' But, these things are just things.

Stubbing your toe is just stubbing your toe. We automatically get pissed and curse the stupid piece of furniture that is always in the way but it's possible you stubbed your toe because if you didn't take a moment to sit down and make sure your toe is still attached to your body, something worse could have happened.

Say, you could have gotten in your car 5 minutes sooner and been in the car on the way to work right when a huge semi-truck turned over in the lane you would have been in. Again with the dramatics but just to get you an idea of what I want to get others to understand.

Pessimism doesn't have to have a place in our lives. Try accepting these let downs in the new year and allowing yourself not to assign an immediate 'good' or 'bad' connotation. Look at what walks through your door and welcome it into your life. Let it come and stay for however long it wants, try questioning instead of cursing. Slowing down instead of rushing.

"Whatever it is that is now presenting itself as part of your creation, own it, claim it, bless it, be thankful for it. Seek not to condemn it, for to condemn it is to condemn yourself."

A favorite quote of mine from a book written by Neale Donald Walsch.

Sincerely,

A fellow optimist