As everyone grows up, they sometimes face the harsh realities of life. They witness a lot of pain and suffering. There are just as much negative things as there are positive things in this world.

Throughout these past 19 years, I have seen many challenges arise not only for me but for my family, as well. There have been times where someone has gotten into an argument with another person, or someone has started suffering from a fatal disease. All of it has been horrific and hard to cope with.

However, my dad always tells me that everything will be alright and to stay strong. I try my hardest to not let negative outcomes consume me. It’s difficult to do, but it’s not impossible with the right amount of determination.

Helen Keller once said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

As young adults, we are still learning new things about ourselves every day. We’re not automatically going to know who we will be tomorrow, the next day, or in the future until we have gone through some trials and tribulations along the way.

Although I know everything happens for a reason, sometimes I wish certain things didn't happen at all.

One of the most challenging things I have had to do is focus on my classes and balance my emotions along with it. When I'm dealing with family issues and if someone has passed away, it's hard to for me to keep my head in the game. However, I do what I have always done, I persevere.

We don't like it when our loved ones get taken away from us too soon, but we have to realize we don't always get what we want. That's another harsh thing about reality.

We start, to wonder why are good people always the ones that have to suffer? Why do these good people have to die? Why do they have to leave so soon?

According to the book, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, it says, "That’s part of what I like about the book in some ways. It portrays death truthfully. You die in the middle of your life, in the middle of a sentence."

We cannot control the outcome of other people's lives. We cannot decide how long they will stay or when they will go. We have to accept these facts of reality and grow from it.

Believe it or not, that's another part of growing up. That's another challenge that we must face sooner or later. We must let it build us and not destory us.