I myself try not to dwell on the misfortunes that life have thrown at me, but sometimes it's difficult to remember that everything is going to be okay again. Life is one tragedy after another, and I believe it's important to appreciate the good things that life hands to you every once and a while, even though we are fully aware that these good things never last.

This is my question to you, how many times have you gone to sleep with your heart in your throat, aching to come out and just be done with everything? How many times have you sat in a dark room, knees to your chin- eyes all dried out, wishing the light would come out from inside of you? How many times have you skipped a shower, a meal, or ignored a phone call because it hurt too much to move?

We've all heard of the cliche "things get better with time, you've just got to take the good with the bad". Maybe you've even given that speech to a friend in need or to yourself late at night. The very definition of a cliche is an over used term, and although it's cheesy, it is still oddly comforting.

To all my friends going through a rough patch right now, I want to remind you that when you were nine years old your heart ached when your parents told you no and now you can't even remember the question you presumed to them, and when you turned sixteen you were laughing along side with the people you loved most in the world- and now you don't even remember what was so funny.

Now let me ask you this, how many times have you snuck back into your house at 2am giggling and already feeling nostalgic for nights like this? How many times have you found yourself in the car mindlessly smiling and screaming along to your favorite song? How many times have you caught yourself glancing over at your person and thinking, "Thank God, I have you."

For every experience you have, there is a story to be told in your own narration, voice, and perception. These stories will range from heart aching whispers to light hearted howls. Listen to me friends, hard times are worth sticking out for because good times are right around the corner- and even though it may seem like those moments around the corner, are across the hallway, out the door, and down the street- they are worth sticking out for because there is growth happening within you. Growth that will soon blossom and help you in the future and others around you.

And listen here friends, even though you feel like the good times are nearing an end for the time being, I promise you, they will come back around and you will be able to appreciate them even more. Because you will be louder, brighter, and wiser.

It’s hard to tell whether or not a person believes you, or takes what you say to heart. So friends, I'm going to leave you with this; allow life to make you strong, but please remember to remain soft.