Everything happens for a reason.

If you don't believe me, retrace your steps. Look back to a few years ago, a decision you made, a risk you took or a road you finally traveled. Imagine you had chosen differently, imagine you never channeled your courage, imagine you took the same way to work that day. Would you be where you are now?

My favorite moments lately, are those moments of recognition. When you realize that something you did a year ago, made todays excitement possible. Now imagine for me, if you will, all the people you are yet to meet, the experiences you will earn and the lessons you will learn. If you think about that everyday, you will make all your decisions really count.

I welcome every tear, every smile, every triumph and every broken heart. I know that it's all part of what will soon be written in my story. Just remember that todays tears are tomorrows smiles. When one person walks out of your life a new one walks in, and you'll be glad they did.

To see the world in a grain of sand,

And heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.

Sometimes reality has a way of sneaking up and biting us in the ass. And when the dam bursts, all you can do is swim. The world of pretend is a cage, not a cocoon. We can only lie to ourselves for so long. We are tired, we are scared, denying it doesn't change the truth. Sooner or later we have to put aside our denial and face the world. Head on, guns blazing. De Nile. It's not just a river in Egypt, it's a freakin' ocean. So how do you keep from drowning in it?

Maybe we're not supposed to be happy. Maybe gratitude has nothing to do with joy. Maybe being grateful means recognizing what you have for what it is. Appreciating small victories. Admiring the struggle it takes simply to be human. Maybe we're thankful for the familiar things we know. And maybe we're thankful for the things we'll never know. At the end of the day, the fact that we have the courage to still be standing is reason enough to celebrate.

What if you wake up one day and you're not angry anymore?

Sometimes life throws you little surprises and you can't help but smile. Fuck smiling...scream with excitement!

"A girl doesn't need anyone who doesn't need her." - Marilyn Monroe