If it was as easy as waking up one day and thinking: today is the day, I’m going to be completely happy; the world would be a much different place.

The truth is, happiness is not just a state of mind. Happiness is not a decision, but a mindset.

The impossible fact is; no matter how hard you try, or demand good things to be a part of your life, you have no real power over what actually happens. Each day, week or year is filled with unforeseen obstacles that block our paths.

However, it's these road blocks that allow us to completely experience and appreciate the good experiences when they come.

Without the loss of a good friend, you wouldn’t have felt the pain of loss. Without living through the ache of absence and repeated sorrow day in and day out until it slowly faded, you wouldn’t fully appreciate the new friendships that develop.

It's the hurt that you feel, the hurt in your heart that allows you to be pulled off your previous path, and find a new one, one that leads to a different direction.

In the transitions you go through, you are continuously learning and adapting which lead to new and fresh starts.

Without hurting someone you love, with vicious lies and rumors, you wouldn't have realized who you did and didn’t want to be.

Without crashing in a downward spiral of hate, you wouldn’t have seen the darkest parts of your mind. Without being crippled by the self-loathing, and feeling the black cold hate, you wouldn’t have wanted to feel the warmth of love again.

Without seeing despair, and the hurt of others, you wouldn't want to take away their pain and help.

Without all of your withouts, you couldn't appreciate the love and wonder that too pops up into our paths. While you were looking for a way to escape the darkness, without knowing it; you found your own happiness.