Over Christmas break last year I came across this saying on the ground in this downtown area. In a white square sat the saying “You are exactly where you need to be." I didn’t think about it again until I saw it pop up on my Tumblr feed. What does that even mean? Why is this a message I keep seeing? Is someone trying to tell me something?

Was I really exactly where I needed to be? It didn’t feel like it at the time and sometimes it still doesn’t. However, to me, maybe that’s the beauty of it. You only need to know that you’re where you’re supposed to be. Nothing else matters except for the very moment you’re living in.

I don’t know for sure if I am where I’m supposed to be, but I have to trust that I am. I think the universe has brought me exactly where I need to be. Everything is happening just as it should and I have to trust that. Otherwise, I would go crazy. Not everything has to be perfect all the time nor should it be. Hard times are always rough but when things in life are great, it makes you appreciate it so much more. I realize you can’t have one without the other so not letting the negative take over is easy with this saying to keep in mind.

Needless to say, this saying has changed my life. I’m exactly where I need to be at this very moment. Typing this article, in college, with the friends I have, playing lacrosse, studying communication are some of the places and things that feel right and feel like what I’m supposed to be doing.

The realization of this quote did not hit me until recently. I have realized there is beauty in the journey and I am learning to appreciate it.

My advice for anyone who feels lost: try to remember you’re where you’re supposed to be. I felt lost a lot of the time over the summer, but now I feel like I’m back on track. Giving yourself some time to believe in this saying is part of how it captured my attention. I truly believe in it and I know it’s the truth but that took so much time. Life can go in so many different directions and that’s okay. Learning to roll with the punches is something that takes time.

I finally learned to trust that I am exactly where I am supposed to be and so is everyone else. It was a hard lesson learned and I will still struggle with it sometimes but it was one that I needed badly.

All in all, my journey of self-discovery is still happening and will continue. I’m happy to be exactly where I need to be because it’s where I’m supposed to be.