Staying strong can often seem like a hard thing to do.

At times it seems as though you cannot be strong. It seems as though everyone and everything is against you. Sometimes you feel like maybe everyone else is right and you should just give up. Let me be the first to say, please do not give up. Please, do yourself the favor and stay strong.

It's cliche to say, but we have all been there. We have all had times where we thought that giving up was the easier choice. When you have every right to give up and even do things like self harm or even think bad thoughts, please think again. You are strong even when people say that you are not. You are strong even when you have a "weak" moment. You can be strong. Being strong is your own choice to make. People show their strength in different ways so please do not let anyone tell you that you are not strong.

Staying strong does not mean that you never cry. It does not mean that you never show emotion. It does not mean that you will never have days when you are down. It does not mean that you will never have days where you question your strength. It does not mean that you will not have days when you are not the strongest. You can still be "weak" even when you are strong.

Staying strong is really all about defying the odds. It is about being the person who people do not expect you to be.

It means you are a leader (because people are watching you even if you think they are not).

It means that you are an example (because people will follow after your strengths).

It means that you are showing people what it is like to not give up and to keep moving forward.

Strength is something that comes from inside yourself. You could get your strength from someone you admire (I got mine from my dad and mom. They were very easy examples to follow). You could get your strength from a situation you were a part of. (It may not have been the best situation, but you have learned and grown from it.) It may just be part of your nature.

Strength has become an every day part of my life. It has become something that is second nature to me. I still have days where I question my strength. I still have days when I think that I am not strong and I have no reason to be. However, I am thankful for my strength because without it, I do not know who I would be. It has taught me so much. So everyone, please stay strong. If not for someone else, do it for yourself.