If you have been following me, my life, my stories, and my articles, then you know that I have been through bad times in my life (if you have no idea what I am talking about, feel free to click my profile and read some of my personal stories). I have experienced tragedies and I have fought through difficult times in which I thought I would not survive. However, one thing I always include in my stories is that my hardships have shaped me.

Of course, I wish that I did not have to suffer. I wish that no one on this earth had to suffer through any tragedy. I wish there was no negativity, hardships, oppression, racism, depression, discrimination, and so many other evil aspects of life. But the truth is, we cannot and never will be able to escape it.

There will always be unpleasant things, BUT DO NOT FORGET THE BRIGHT PLACES IN LIFE!

You can find these bright places in your everyday world or you can wander until you find them.

Look at your significant other and let the love you feel for them overflow your heart. Dive into a passion that makes you smile from ear to ear no matter how long you have been doing it. See someone who is going through a hard time and make an effort to help them through it.

There are so many bright places in this world that we tend to forget about because we are so focused on the day to day living or the darkness that slowly, but surely, finds its way into our souls. We cannot be perfect human beings but we can certainly attempt to make the world a brighter place.

If you are reading this and do not know my story, I am sure you are thinking that I am just another girl rattling on about changing the world to accomplish peace among all. I promise you though, I am not that girl. In fact, I am quite the opposite. I am a woman who is tired of allowing sadness and fear control my life. I am exhausted from letting the dark places overcome my world, causing me to see in black and white.

Like Finch says in All The Bright Places, I am "all the colors in one, at full brightness."

My experiences have developed who I am as a person. I see my glass as half full instead of half empty. I wake up with a smile almost every morning now (unless my alarm goes off way too early). I see my world in a hopeful and positive lens.

So let yourself be overwhelmed at times. Allow some tears to fall from your tired eyes. Scream into your pillow because you are fed up with the world, but do not let it control you. Remember that you have bright places in this world and you are more than capable of living, growing, surviving and overcoming.

Find your bright places and be a bright place for others.