Thank you for knocking me down.

This probably sounds a little weird and maybe you think I'm just kidding or this is sarcastic. Well, it is a bit sarcastic, but in the best way possible. I really do appreciate all of the people in my life who have wronged me, lied to me and otherwise, hurt me. It is because of these people that I am a better person. It is because of them that I am stronger, I am more confident and I am happy.

We've all had a high school bully, a terrible ex and a best friend who went astray. Despite our best intentions, we have been hurt and pushed down (physically and emotionally). A lot of times, we find ourselves scouring our minds trying to figure out what and why something has happened. We try to justify it, and we dwell on the negativity that surrounds that particular event. It is so easy to get caught up in all the pain and forget the treasures we have gained.

Here are the amazing gifts I have been given by the people who thought they hurt me:

1. I am stronger.

Although it may appear that being pushed down by someone who wants more power than you might cause you to shrink, it doesn't have to. It is not easy to rise above a bully or a disrespectful ex, but it can be kind of fun. Think of it this way: someone is purposely (or not) trying to hurt you so that they can feel better about themselves. You could give in to what they want and fall victim to the pain, or you could rise up and choose to not let it affect you. I'm not going to lie, it took me five years to figure this out, but I can honestly say that it is pretty fun to be able to stand tall when someone pokes at you. I can get through anything because of the people who forced me to learn how. The people who have kept me up all night from their fatal comments are the same exact people who, because of that, showed me how to be strong and get through the hard times.

2. I am more confident.

This was a hard one for me. When people constantly spew negative comments at you and attack every inch of your being, it is fairly easy to become self-conscious. Emotionally, you become drained and start to pick yourself apart to find a reason why all these people are prodding you but have you stopped to wonder if maybe the reason they try to tear you down actually has nothing to do with you? I now try to take situations where a person is angry at me or making unnecessary and uncalled for comments and say to myself, "maybe they're just having a bad day and I happened to be in their path." When I stopped associating every negative comment I got with something inside me, I truly became much more confident. I know that I am a smart, capable, kind, and friendly person, regardless of who tries to tear me down.

3. I am happy.

Above all the many advantages I now have as a result of being picked on, happiness is my favorite. For so long I let negative people control my emotions. They got exactly what they wanted — to make me lesser, so they could be more. But not to worry, it didn't last because I am happy. Through all the trials and tears, I have become an individual with a longing and passion for helping others overcome the same hurt I have experienced. This passion has brought me so much joy because every day I get the opportunity to look back on how far I have come. It gives me hope to know that one day I will have the chance to share my stories in order to help someone who needs to find happiness within themselves. I have become so much happier now that I have proven to myself that I can get through anything — all the hurt, pain, and sorrow. I can be me, and I can be happy.

So to all the individuals who have caused me pain, thank you for making me a better person. Thank you for showing me that I am beautiful, capable and ready to take on this world. It is because of you that I am so strong and confident, and it is because of you that I have so much love and happiness in my heart.

I'm choosing to look at the beauty in these whirlwind situations. You can too.