In my world the last few years, I've learned many things are temporary- flowers, marriage, hurt, moments, and people- but I've also learned to love freely and care deeply. I've known struggle and I've gained wisdom. I've seen bad days and I've enjoyed even more good ones. I've learned that failing a math test isn't the end of the world. I've had friends become strangers just as quick as strangers have become friends. I've experienced laughter equally as much as I've had tears. I've made simple things very difficult, for myself and for others too. I've been a chaos of contradictions. I've found strength I never knew I had and pain I never knew existed. I've realized that it takes courage to remain soft in a world that's so cruel and I've avoided letting bitterness overcome my intentions. I've learned you must take the bull by the horns no matter how fearful you may be. I've come to see that doing what's best for myself isn't being selfish, not even a little bit. I've learned that in order to be kind to others, you must first be kind to yourself. But in the midst of it all, I've lost touch with my inner peace and then found it again- and I think finding it again after lacking it for so long is very, very important.

"When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others."

Forgive yourself and others.

Realize that forgiveness is an essential part of life, in terms of yourself and of others. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake or when you go through with a bad decision- you can only learn by failing. Let it be a reason to improve. And forgive others too. Even if they aren't sorry, forgive them for your sake. Don't hold anger towards someone else, for it only affects you in the long run.

Don't try to make sense of everything.

Try not to seek understanding too much. Sometimes things happen and we just aren't sure why. But it's okay in that moment to not know why things occur the way they do. Be comfortable with going with the flow and find hope in the fact that everything happens for a reason, even if you may not know that reason right away.

Allow yourself to grow.

Know that struggles only bring strength. Face them head-on and smile when you overcome them. Challenge yourself, in whatever way it may be. Be open to new ideas and be vulnerable to change that can be beneficial to you.

Stop overthinking.

If you're not an over thinker, chances are you know somebody who is. And you know how complicated even a simple situation can turn out to be. Don’t think too much into everything- take it for what it is and go on. While it's both a good and bad thing to be such an analyzer, sometimes it only creates problems that weren't there to begin with. When your mind is at ease, things become much easier.

Take time to make yourself happy.

Focus on yourself for once. Do whatever it is that makes you content, and do it without worrying about what others may think. Forget about trying to please everyone around you- it is not possible nor is it necessary.

Let go of the past.

Don't be stuck in "what could have been." Make the best of the way things are, while also realizing that there's nothing that can be done about what has already happened. The only thing you can control is your mindset.

Forget about the worrying.

Being too anxious can be a dangerous thing. Sometimes you just have to take deep breaths and find something positive to occupy your mind. Worrying is a waste of energy.