Oh, life; it's amazing, complicated, and frustrating all at the same time. Here are a few things I've learned so far about this life that have helped me get through without totally losing my mind:

1. Never blame your past for who you are today.

The only person you should be blaming is yourself. We all have the ability to change and it is never too late to become the person that you want to be. A lot of us give up and like to blame our negativity and lack of drive to live a fulfilling life on the things we've experienced in our past. I'd be the first to admit that I was once one of those people. My trust issues, anger, depression, lack of motivation, etc.... all of that stuff that I've felt in my lifetime, I blamed on my past. I've wasted years of my life and my ability to be happy thinking that nothing in my life will ever go the way I want it to and I'll never be happy. A lot of us decide to give up and, instead of trying to change because we think it's "too hard," we blame everything in our past for making us the "miserable" people we are today.

STOP! YOU CAN BE HAPPY. YOU CAN FEEL JOY IN THIS LIFE. I know this because I've been there and I've done a complete turn around from where I once was. I realized that I didn't want to feel that way anymore, I didn't want my past to define me or stop me from living the life that I wanted to live. Although our past will always be with us, it is from it where we learn what we want and what we don't want in this life. I learned that my happiness is in my own hands. I do not depend on anyone or anything to make me happy but myself. I love waking up and knowing it's a new day and every single day I grow more and learn more. Each new day comes with new opportunities and the possibilities are ENDLESS!

2. Let go.

We've all been there. The point in our lives where we just can't seem to let go of something. No matter how bad it's making us feel or holding us back, we just can't do it. Why do we hold on? Is it because we're afraid we won't get something like it again (whatever it is) or maybe because we're scared of change? We get so used to something and just like that, it's gone. The fear of moving on and not having that "something" there anymore can eat you alive... IF YOU ALLOW IT. How do you expect to be happy again? How do you expect to experience more in this life if you continue to hold on to something so tight that isn't even there anymore?

When it's gone, it's gone and there is nothing you can do to change that. If you continue to dwell on the things that you cannot have, there is no way to move forward. We cannot change the past, we cannot do anything about what happened five, ten, thirty minutes or however long ago. There's something we can do though....GO ON. Go on with your life. Go make new memories, better memories and I promise after a while, that time in your life where you felt sad, lonely, broken-hearted, etc....that time is going to feel like a moment, one little moment in your life compared to all the rest of the years you have lived.

3. A person wants to leave your life? Let them.

This happens all the time. There's a never-ending cycle of people that will come in and out of our lives. Doesn't matter how bad you want them to stay, they're leaving. NEVER, ever try to convince someone to stay in your life. They don't want to be there, then why the hell do you want them there? This is a battle that I have with myself that I am STILL learning from.

There have been many people in my life that I wanted to keep in it, but it's not my choice...it's theirs. Yes, I have foolishly tried to convince people to stay, to like me, to give me a chance but, in the end, it's pointless. You shouldn't have to try to convince someone to stay in your life. You shouldn't have to try so hard to make someone see how much of a "catch" you are. Point. Blank. Period. And this isn't even just about guys/girls, relationships...this is about anyone. LET THEM GO. LET THEM LEAVE. There's a reason why they were there and there's a reason why they no longer want to be.

4. Take chances.

I always say to myself "never again, Mare," "that's it, I'm done," "I give up." But then I always find myself interested in the same thing I said I'd never do again...here I am, trying it again. We're all scared of being hurt, being let down, letting someone in. I'm terrified every time. And every time I find myself hurt again, in some way or another. But guess what? I continue to try things out. That's where my faith comes in at I guess. I was always the type of person that never wanted to give up an opportunity because it might turn out to be the best thing that's ever happened to me. Even if it's different from what I know and am comfortable with, I just go for it because it might be something I never knew I truly wanted. We have one life, take as many chances as you can, you never know what can happen.

5. Keep Learning

I'm still learning every single day of my life. We never stop learning and we never stop growing as a person. I have my bad days and I have my good. At the age of 28, I can say I've learned a lot so far and I'm excited for the unknown. I will continue living my life with an open mind, an open heart and open arms to anything and anyone that wants to come into my life and change it for the better.