I had previously written an article called "The Power of Potter," about my decision to run from my past to ease the pain of a traumatic part of my childhood. And I'd like to say that I was wrong. Growing up, I was told to face the things in life that I am afraid of. Instead, I chose to use a fantasy world I found in a book to escape the horror I experienced as a child. The ability to escape to that fantasy world gave me the distraction I needed so I could focus on moving forward and growing up. It has been 14 years since my fathers office building was attacked, and it's time for me to stop running. That day was real, and whether I like to admit it or not, it will always be a part of me. I saw things that no one should ever have to see, let alone a child.

But I'm not 6 years old anymore. I don't want to feel like a victim anymore, and so I have to stop treating myself like a victim. If I keep running, I'll miss all of the great things that life has in store. Something terrible happened that day, but one day doesn't define a lifetime. Bad things happen, but there's always a way to find your way back. Recently I opened up to my parents about that day. I felt like there was a part of me that they didn't understand, and I was sick of feeling that way. When I told my mother, she didn't say anything. She just gave me the biggest hug, and let me cry. I cannot put into words how great it felt to finally let them in.

If there's something you're afraid of, don't spend 14 years hiding from it. Facing your fears and your past isn't easy, but it helps when you have great friends and family. So if you are fortunate enough to have people who care about you, let them help you. I've found that some words of encouragement can go a long way, so here are some ones that I have found to be particularly helpful:

1."If you can dream it, you can do it."
- Walt Disney

2. "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."
- John F Kennedy

3. "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the entire staircase."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

4. "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!"
- Audrey Hepburn

5. "The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up."
-Timothy Mouse, Dumbo

6. "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."
-Fa Zhou, Mulan

Everyday, bad things happen to good people. It's awful, but it's the truth. Moving forward is hard. I've had days where mustering up the strength to get out of bed and face the world felt like an impossible task. Individuals who can only be said to represent the worst of humanity attacked my city and my community. They took away the sense of safety and comfort that every child needs from a home. They changed who I was, but I won't let that day solely define who I am today.

I firmly believe that everyone has the ability to overcome what life throws at them. You just have to believe in yourself and your abilities unconditionally. I know that sounds ridiculously corny, but I think that it's a shame that it's so frowned upon to be corny in your everyday life. Too many people waste their lives being bitter. It's a much better use of your time to live your life with optimism and grace. So whatever it is in your life that makes you feel weak, fight back at it with everything you have. Don't just roll out of bed in the morning. Wake up every morning with distinction. Try to remember how lucky we all are and how much we have to offer the world. Believe in your strengths and your passions and let those define your place in the world.