The road to 25 has certainly been and adventurous one. Much like a roller coaster, it has had its ups and downs, sudden drops, flips and sudden turns. However, I am glad that this crazy ride isn't over yet. The road to 25 has taken me to some crazy places (Guatemala, the Dominican Republic and a year spent in Florida). It has provided me with incredible friends and it has taken a few that I thought would always be around. It has shown me heartache and days when I was absolutely broken, but it has also countered those days with days of absolute bliss and joy. Along the road to 25 I have learned a few lessons that have gotten me through and will continue to guide me through my journey of life.

1. Everything happens for a reason. You might not always realize it at the time, but everything that happens in your life is setting you up for something else. Every heartbreak is setting you up for a success. Every success is setting you up for something bigger. Everything works together and is woven together to write the story of your life. Trust the process.

2. People will find a reason to stay. If someone walks out of your life, let them. If they wanted to stay, they would have found a reason to. Instead of wasting time worrying over people who have walked out of your life, take the time to truly celebrate the people you get to walk through life with. Also, refer to #1- everything happens for a reason. People in your life all serve a purpose and unfortunately, sometimes once they have served their purpose in your life, it is time for them to move on.

3. Coffee gets you through life until it's acceptable to drink wine. Coffee and wine can get you through anything the day has to throw at you. If you're not a fan of either, I pity your soul and will thinking of you as I down my morning coffee or sip my evening glass of wine.

4. Sometimes all you need is to belt a song at the top of your lungs in your car. There are few things as therapeutic as putting in a good CD and turning the volume up to deafening levels as you release all your emotions and feelings at the top of your lungs. It is truly cathartic.

5. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. This lesson has gotten me through a lot in life and it truly has saved me from a lot of unnecessary arguments and battles that would have taken more energy than they were worth. The next time you are in an argument with someone, hold your tongue. You will be amazed what will happen when you don't say everything that's on your mind. It takes a lot of patience and practice, but trust me, you don't have to say everything you are feeling, especially if it is only designed to hurt whoever it is directed towards. You don't have to win every battle.

6. You can't expect someone to love you if you don't love yourself first. I can't repeat this enough. Love yourself. If you can't love yourself, you need to figure out what is stopping you from falling madly in love with you and change it. With that said, don't be so mean to yourself. You are a miraculous thing and you need to realize that. The sooner you do, the better off you will be. Once you begin to love you, you will be surprised who else does too.

7. There's nothing wrong with doing things alone. Sometimes the best company you can have is yourself. Take the time to do things on your own. Travel. Go get coffee. Go to the park. You don't need to constantly be surrounded by people to enjoy yourself because the truth is, sometimes we are going to be alone and we have to be okay with it.

8. Be your own biggest fan. This sort of relates back to #6, but you have to be your own biggest supporter. Be proud of all you have accomplished and all you will accomplish. Be proud of how much you have grown and matured. Be proud of the person you have transformed into. Be proud of yourself everyday.

9. Live out your passion. Find out what sets your soul on fire and persue it relentlessly. Life is far too short to waste time not living out what's in your heart. Too many people die with their passion locked inside them. Live it out.

10. Don't live in the comfort zone. If you are comfortable, you aren't testing yourself. You aren't meant to live in the comfort zone. If you are experience discomfort that means you are being tested and molded. Discomfort means you are growing. If you are simply comfortable then you are not allowing yourself to grow. If you never step out of the comfort zone than you will never grow.

11. People aren't as concerned with you as you think they are. Trust me, you are your own biggest critic. Anxiety is an ugly thing. It stresses us out about things that people don't even think about. People are not concerned about what you are wearing. People are too busy being concerned about themselves.

12. If you never ask, the answer will always be no. You never know until you ask and if you never ask, the answer will always be no. Want a raise, ask. Want a friend to take a trip with you, ask. Want to know if that crush has feelings for you, ask. The answer is always no until you do.

13. It gets worse before it gets better. Things always, always, always get so much worse before they ever get better, but remember, even when you're at rock bottom, it just means you're at a better position to look up and see the stars. The darkest nights will end and the sun will rise.

14. If you have to make excuses to be with someone, you probably shouldn't be with them. Too often I have seen friends and myself make excuses to stay in relationships that really aren't benefiting them whether it be romantically or in a friendship. If you have to make up reasons to be with someone or make excuses for them as to why you should be with them, the chances are that you really deserve better and they aren't it.

15. Don't feel guilty if you don't want to do something. There is no reason to feel guilty about not wanting to do something. Simply explain yourself and your reasoning for not wanting to do whatever it is and be done with it. Your friends will understand and if they don't, that's something they need to work through on their own.

16. Take the time to read. Reading is a beautiful thing and too many people truly don't take enough time to do it. Allow yourself to escape within the pages of a good story. Learn about things you've never heard of. Allow yourself to be transported to another time, a different city, a different perspective.

17. Invest in experiences, not things. You can't take things to the grave. When we die, all we have bought in this life will stay here. Instead, spend your money on experiences. Travel. See the world. There is so much beauty hidden in it. Make a point to see as much of it as you can. You truly won't regret it.

18. All good things must come to an end. As harsh as it may seem, Ponyboy said it best when he reminded his friends that nothing gold can stay. It's a bitter reality, but it's a true one. All good things must come to an end because too much of a good thing really isn't a good thing anymore. An all you can eat buffet is great until you get a stomach ache. Ice cream is amazing until you get a brain freeze. A night out is wonderful until the room starts to spin. Too much of a good thing is never good. So is life. The key is to realize when your on top and get out before you start to slide down the other side.

19. Don't be so serious. Sure there's things in life to be serious about, but don't be so serious about everything. It will give you a heart attack or an ulcer and it will most definitely slowly kill you. Find the humor in your life. Find things to laugh about. There's so much humor in the world and so many things to enjoy. You can't be so serious about everything.

20. There is no life situation that an episode of One Tree Hill cannot cure. This is a tried and true fact. I cannot express how incredible One Tree Hill is or all of the life lessons I have learned as a result of watching countless episodes. If you haven't watched an episode, do yourself a favor.

21. Not every day is good, but there's something good in everyday. This was something I recently started practicing. Every night when you go to bed, think about your day and tell yourself what your good thing for the day was. Some days it could be finding out your getting promoted, but some days it might be as simple as you're still breathing. Not every day is good, but you have to remind you of the good that is in every day.

22. You are stronger than you realize. Seriously. You have so much strength within yourself. You are created to withstand and to persevere. You will be tested, but you will always come out on the other side. Believe in yourself and your capabilities.

23. You are capable of anything you set your mind to. Any goal you create for yourself (realistically of course), you are capable of achieving. Take the time to create a plan of action and then take the time it takes to see your plan through. You will do it.

24. Salt water cures all: tears, sweat and the ocean. Cry, run, watch the ocean waves. Whatever you are going through, there is nothing that salt water can't cure.

25. The best is yet to come. Trust me, this is not as good as it gets. There is so much more waiting for us. There are far better things that lie ahead than any we leave behind. Trust in tomorrow and allow yourself to be surprised with what you will find there waiting for you.