I know what it's like to feel hurt. Everyone does. Whether it's a breakup or simply a falling out between two friends, it still hurts like hell.

There may be a part of you that wants to simply pick up the phone and tell that person off, tell them they made you feel small and vulnerable, or simply that they're no longer worth your effort – but don't.

The idea of it seems like it would make you feel better, but the reality is quite the opposite. Temporary happiness isn't worth long term pain. Once the emotions subside, you will feel terrible for saying it, even if it is true.

Take the high road, the road less traveled, so you can avoid this feeling of remorse all together.

"You either get bitter or you get better. It's that simple. You take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you." – John Shipp

Having perspective is something I've always struggled with. I used to see the world under one big stormy rain cloud, and I always felt as though bad things were deserved.

I was under the impression that I could or should have done something more, something better, to fix a situation – but some things are just out of your control.

I constantly would have people tell me that "Time heals all wounds." While I struggled with trying to understand those words, I ultimately gave up. I decided something else.

If time healed all wounds, why do so many people suffer their entire lives from things that happened decades ago? It's not time that heals all wounds. It's hard work – and hard work takes time.

With that, I grew up quickly. I decided that life is what you make of it.

Your future's happiness depends on the choices you make.

Choose to heal.

Choose to wake up every day.

Choose to make the best of every situation.

Choosing to heal means letting go of the immediate reward of your suffering, for the possible promise of future insight. It is a risk all who heal take, and it is not an easy choice to make while you are in hell of acute loss, but I urge you to make it nonetheless.

Live your life without feeling weighed down by fear.

Decide to get better instead of bitter.