In my experience, the phrase "time heals all wounds" has reigned true. Regardless of the challenges I've faced and the loss I've experienced in my 20 years of life, everything gets better in time. It might be because the pain of the original sting of whatever terrible situation I was facing slowly fades as more time passes. Or it might simply be because I start to forget about how badly something hurt me. Either way, the past is the past and I've learned to grow from it.

Each and every one of us are constantly battling our own demons. The danger of this is that we often forget how bad things can really be for those around us. Something that seems meaningless to you could be everything to the girl who sits next to you in chemistry class. We have to remember that we aren't the only people going through hard times, and that the world doesn't actually revolve around us and our own problems.

We also have to remember that everyone has a past. Your past doesn't define you. The person you were 3 years ago or even 2 months ago shouldn't stop you from being who you want to be now. We all grow and change each and every day based on our experiences and based on the people around us. You should never be afraid of your past. Let it be a guideline for who you want to be. If your past is too hard to think about, let it be a reminder of how strong you are. You survived. You are here for a reason. The person you used to be isn't who you have to be anymore.

Regardless of who you are, who you were, where you're from or where you're going, the truth is that you are in control of your own life. You control your future. You control your goals. It's up to you to take the first steps to make your own dreams come true.

I know that I didn't deserve any of the bad things that have happened to me, and I'm not going to lie, I've struggled with these things for a very long time. I know now that regardless of what has happened to me, I can still be whoever I want to be. I have to remember that when life knocks me down, I have to get back up. I have to prove everyone else wrong, and do what I need to do for me. After all, if you aren't living for yourself, are you really even living?

No matter who you are, never forget that it's okay to look back. Work to improve yourself each and every day, and don't be afraid to reference the person you used to be to evaluate your progress and see how far you've really come. Remember, who you are now is not who you will be.

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." -John F. Kennedy