I am thankful for my stress.

It probably seems like a pretty odd thing to say, but it is true.

The life of a college student can be tough. We get so bogged down and stressed out. It can be difficult to keep up sometimes. There’s always something due, there’s always something to study, there’s always something to work on. It seems like an endless cycle of no sleep, stress, and unmanageable high expectations. It is really difficult to balance school, part-time jobs, homework and extra circulars along with family and social lives. It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives and lose sight of just how lucky I am.

Sometimes I have to take a step back and remind myself how lucky I am. I’m lucky to be in college. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to further my education. I’m lucky that I have professors that push me to be my absolute best. I’m lucky that I have a job. I’m lucky that I’m involved on campus and have so many opportunities to grow as a person. I’m lucky that I’ve been given leadership opportunities. I’m lucky that I have friends and family that are always there for me, even when I get over-stressed and take out my frustrations on them. I’m lucky to be stressed.

I’m thankful for my stress even as I complain about being stressed. I’m thankful for my sickness because it’s a reminder that I’m alive. I’m thankful for my failure because it’s incentive to do better and be better. I’m thankful for my disappointment because it makes the good moments that much more enjoyable. I’m thankful for my sadness because it makes me strive harder for happiness. I'm thankful for my hardships because they build character. I'm thankful for those times that I fall to my knees in prayer because I feel God's comfort. I’m thankful for my stress because it’s a reminder of just how lucky I am.

I may never be "happy" about these things. They are difficult trials and they get me down sometimes. I will always be thankful for them, though.

There is beauty in everything, it is just a matter of finding it. It is all too easy to see the negatives in life and want to shield your eyes. It’s easy to focus on them until they’re the only thing that you can see. They crowd your vision, blocking out all the good. If you keep searching, though, you’ll find it. Don’t let yourself be blinded. Beauty, grace, and blessings are usually found in the most beautiful, ungraceful situations. Clear your eyes and open up your mind. Let yourself see how lucky and blessed you truly are, no matter what your situation may be.