Many of you know that I am a positive individual. I am always smiling and trying my best to make others laugh or smile. The truth is that my mind is always filled with voices. There is this one specific voice in my head that constantly brings me down. I am not sure what it is, but I know that I am always fighting myself to smile at times.

It is true that sometimes the happiest people on the surface are the saddest on the inside. I do not believe that I am internally gloom, but I do feel that there is this expectation people have of me. Many of you may be able to relate when I say that sometimes you have to put on this fake smile. I feel as if my actions aren't genuine when I put on this persona. I feel like I am wearing this mask.

This mask acts as my safeguard and other times it causes me to put more harm on my well being than others. No matter where life takes you, putting on a mask will not solve your internal or external conflicts. The mask is essentially there to torture you more. I decided that enough was enough, and I needed to take charge of the fake smiles and mask I was putting on myself. I started to evaluate who was really there for me and who was merely a shadow.

No matter where you go in your life, you will always have yourself and should take care of who you are before you try to put on a mask for someone else. Do not be afraid to show the real you. If someone does not appreciate your unique personality and individuality, then they do not deserve you.

While there was a negative voice in my head bringing me down, there was also this voice that told me that everything would be alright. There are a million voices inside my head pulling me towards different directions. The one I decided to listen to was the direction that felt the most natural and beneficial.

After all, you are in charge of your actions. Next time you have your head filled with a million voices, choose the voice that brings you the most happiness and good fortune. Choose the voice that encourages you to be a better you. Choose the voice that guides you, rather than break you down.