Over the past few months, I have begun to realize just how great my life is and how happy I have been for the past couple of years. I've been happy for my whole life, for the most part, but lately I feel like I'm becoming more grateful for the little things in life. Maybe it's the independence I have gained in college or the fact that I'm becoming older and wiser, but my life is amazing and I can't thank you enough for making me so happy.
Thank you for my confidence.
Growing up, I modeled from 4th grade to my senior year of high school. I chose to do this and wanted to do it for a living after high school. That quickly changed when I was told to lose weight, after already being underweight per my doctor. My confidence fell and I felt like I was no longer good enough. The last two years have been spent building up my confidence. It took a lot of help and lot of self-reflection, but I am grateful to say that it's back and in full force. I look in the mirror every morning and tell myself, "I'm going to kick ass today," and try to do just that. Thank you for giving me back my confidence; it has made my life so much happier.
Thank you for my support system.
Throughout the years, I have had a wide variety of friends; some have stayed in the picture while others are no longer in my life. I finally feel like my support system is exactly how it needs to be. I am so thankful for my friends, boyfriend, and family who help me through my downs and encourage me to do my best. There's no greater feeling than hearing people say they're proud of you. Thank you for giving me such a strong support system, I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
Thank you for my education.
I've always been kind of a nerd. I always wanted all A's and wanted to be the very best in all my classes. When I didn't do as well as some of my peers, I became discouraged but always kept trying to be the best. I am fortunate enough to say that I am going to an incredible university and will receive my degree. Although school is hard and sometimes I'd rather sleep than go to class, I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn something new every day.
Thank you for my weaknesses.
My weaknesses make me who I am. I am incredibly hard on myself, I have terrible road rage, and I have a bit of a temper sometimes. My weaknesses are obviously things I need to improve on, but they're also things that I can turn into positives. Being hard on myself only makes me better and I have realized that as long as I'm doing MY best, I can't be disappointed. I may have terrible road rage, but I kick butt in Mario Kart so that always works out in my advantage. And my temper shows that I am passionate about things I care about. Although my weaknesses can bring me down, I am trying to find ways to allow them to help me instead of hurt me. Thank you for giving me the challenge of doing this.
Thank you for my strengths.
Learning how to utilize my strengths may be one of the hardest challenges I have faced. I know what I'm good at, but I don't like to be the center of attention or brag about my talents. I'd rather just blend in and stand out quietly. I have learned that I need to embrace my strengths and have become more comfortable answering the classic interview questions, "What are your strengths?" Thank you for giving me strengths that I can utilize in my everyday life and giving me strengths that make me happy.
Thank you for my happiness.
I am happy. It's as simple as that. I wake up every morning feeling thankful that I am well & breathing and that I get to live another day of my life. I have finally learned to put my happiness before everything else and it has paid off.
