In my short time thus far in this life, I've found that certain people are taken for granted. Who are these people, you ask? This would be the people like you and I; the people who easily trust that others will be good to us in return, do things for us without questioning it, and love us back unconditionally the way we are merely expected to anymore. However, this world isn't full of people like us. It isn't full of people who love hard.

You see, one day someone will cross paths with you and you will fall so unbelievably in love with them and you will envision every aspect of your future with them. Or, maybe you're currently in that phase or are already out of it. But if you're anything like me, you give your all to that person. You give them literally everything you have to give them literally everything you have to give them and unfortunately sometimes, that simply will not be enough. You may be inclined to hang on and keep trying, only to be let down countless times.

You may start to hang your head, cover your face with faked smiles and diverted eyes. You may go out less because you'd rather be home alone and hurting than have to go out and pretend that you're okay. You loved another individual and gave every last bit of yourself, so when they walked away from you, they took it all with them. No matter what they said or did, you always saw the best in them. You always told yourself that, in the end, they didn't mean the hurtful words they threw at you or the painful things they may have done. With every word, bouquet of flowers, and abundance of apologetic kisses, you believe them. You, once again, put your guard down and trusted this person. You trusted that, just like you, they meant everything they said. And they, once again, ran with it.

Eventually, you find it almost emotionally draining to let new people in. There are countless times that you sit there and blame yourself; wonder what you could've done to fix it. You wonder why you're not the person he chose and ask why you're not good enough. Soon, you'll hide your effort from the light, in fear of someone abusing your loyalty and love. Relationships start to dwindle, communication becomes non-existent and before you know it, it's just you, sitting in the shower, letting the warm water engulf you in an entire new world. One that you don't want to leave, because here, you are alone and it's here that you hit the very bottom of things. But it is also in this exact spot that I realized one thing: when you hit rock bottom, the only place to go is up.

You see, when someone saw how hard you love as a flaw, someone else fell in love with it. What someone made you believe was your weakest asset, was actually your strongest. The fact that no matter how many times people let you down, you still have room to accept them, shows nothing but compassion. A compassion for people, compassion for love, and a compassion for life. It's true, not everyone will love the way you do, but it's okay to be hopeful. It's okay to want more in life than what some people have to offer. It does not make you selfish. Don't let temporary feelings pave you a permanent future. Be you—confident, independent, strong, and a hard lover.