I have so much happiness in my life. I've surrounded myself with people that make everyday an adventure and give me so much to look forward to. I have a loving and supportive family that is never not there to catch me when I fall and acts as my biggest fan in all my endeavors. I go to a university that has redefined what it means to have pride and has given me an opportunity to chase every single one of my dreams. I'm extremely blessed that most of these things have kind of fallen into my lap. I was in the right place, at the right time when I met my current best friend and roommate. I happened to overhear a conversation about the course of study I now plan to pursue for the rest of my life. I was supposed to move, but ended up studying abroad instead. I didn't have to do much to earn these little nuggets of happiness. However, often it can be on us as individuals to choose happiness. Life is going to try to knock us down, but it's the amount of times that we choose to stand back up that are so telling about our character and how much we crave and seek happiness.

As college students, we think we are invincible in every way possible, that nothing can or will ever go wrong, and that we all have a magical "do over" button if we mess up. In part, that's true. We are young and the world is our oyster! This world wants us to succeed and will do everything in it's power to help us succeed. Sometimes we do have a magical "do over" button when it comes to certain situations. However, living a happiness-filled life that we all so absolutely deserve is something that we need to make happen now. We are all only undergraduates in college for four years! That's four short years to make the most of our time and seek out the most happiness that we can. Similarly, we only have one life. One life to make choices that help us grow, make us better people, and help us discover who we are. I don't want to look back on my four years as an undergraduate student and think that there were so many stones left unturned and doors left un-opened. I don't want to look back on my life and realize that there was so much more I could've done to maximize my happiness, or that I denied myself the best life possible because I didn't take chances or step out of my comfort zone.

For some, happiness is hard. Sometimes, no matter how hard we look for it, we can't seem to find it. It can hide beneath blankets of tests, grades, fights, tragedies, and broken hearts. But please, don't give up hope that it will appear. Happiness will come to those brave enough to look for it. Everyone deserves happiness, and only those actively making the choice to embrace it will reap the rewards. It's like making plans. If you keep saying no to plans, people will stop inviting you. If you keep saying no to happiness, it will stop presenting itself. So choose it. There are so many options -- all you have to do is pick one and life will look a little brighter. I promise.

Thank you to everyone in my life that has shown me what it's like to have a chance at real happiness.