When we were younger they told us to never be afraid of who we are, to embrace all of the things about ourselves that make us unique. It’s hard to pinpoint where that changed, where the concept of being yourself and loving yourself became foreign. Where the world was no longer about love and compassion, but a grueling competition for popularity.

It’s kind of crazy, this whole idea of knowing who you are. How do we really know who we are when we are constantly changing? The trends change, the people in our lives come and go, yet we are supposed to remain the same? This journey of finding yourself is rather complex, and frankly a little time consuming. But I think it’s important, its important because I think once you find yourself, you can find your happiness.

I know for certain the person I am today is not who I was a year ago. The ironic thing is that that person who had it all, and was seemingly so happy really wasn’t. I had no purpose, no motivating factor, I was a little empty. I don’t think I knew the value of happiness until my world shattered. I don’t think I learned the value of truly appreciating those around me either. It takes that earth shattering moment that brings you down to realize just how important it is to rise up.

It all came with this choice, a choice, to rise up, or stay down. For many of you that choice seems is rather simple, we must always rise up but it’s not that easy. We think we have it all, the key to happiness, the key to success and we don’t. We don’t have it all together, we are not even close, but it’s okay. I think that’s the biggest lesson I have learned in this journey I’m on. I used to think that I could keep all my emotions in, and put on a brave face for those around me. That I could fool everyone into believing I was fine, and I didn’t need help but those lies only work for so long.

I needed to find myself my own way, it’s not something that can be done on a straight and narrow path. It’s all over the place, complicated, with quite a few bumps in the road. I truly believe that the closer I get to becoming the person I know I can be, the happier I will be. I know it’s hard, I know it’s easier to push away your problems and fears. I know it seems like happiness is light years away but I promise you it’s not. It is within you to find your happiness; it is your job. And I promise you, you can do it, you can find it, and once you do you will never look back.