As the days get longer and the year gets shorter, you look back on your life. When you take that trip down memory lane it seems like all that is there is disappointment. It’s as if you took one blow after another from life, knocking you down, breaking you, and leaving you with another scar of some sorts. But regardless of the beating you took you always got back up, dusted yourself off, and tried again.

When winter creeps up and the weather makes you feel all alone, it’s important to remember to always pick yourself back up. It’s OK that you don’t know what you are doing with your life, no one has it all figured out. Despite what you see from other people’s lives, they don’t have it figured out either. We all get kicked down at some point in our lives. Some will only take a beating once, others feel the force of the fists of life daily, but the only thing that matters is will you stand back up and fight a few more rounds?

I know that you have so much anger with the way things are right now. I know how disappointed in yourself you get when you’re trying to be strong but you feel a tear fall down your cheek. I know how you constantly replay the painful experiences and harsh words you have received. But I also know that things will get better for you. When your anxiety starts acting up and you haven’t slept in days and you’re starting to feel alone, think of your future. When you get screwed over again from the boy you’ve given everything to, don’t let that keep you down, rise up, think of the family you are going to have one day. Think of how one day, you’re going to have life beat. You will look back and thank yourself for always finishing the fight.

As time goes by something funny will happen, those nasty scars that life gave you will transform into something beautiful, because from every scar comes a stronger person. All the pain that you endured in your heart will lead you to where you are truly meant to be, whether that is in the arms of someone who loves you, at the top of a company, or just being a happier person. You’ll end up thanking life for having that boy break your heart or for failing that test or even losing your best friend because all of it only made you work harder toward what you really deserved.

Only you have the ability to change your life. It is up to you if you are going to let life beat you down or if you are going to fight the full 12 rounds. You aren’t always going to win every fight, but eventually you won’t have to fight anymore because you’ll be right where you want.