Although I'm only 23, I have certainly had my share of bad experiences and sorrow. I used to feel like the world owed me something and I lived in resentment and anger. Any time something happened to bring me hope, something discouraging would follow. I felt as if I was truly cursed and I would never find happiness in my soul. Today, I have an honest appreciation for all my struggles and I am so thankful to have gone through it all. I am incredibly strong and I have a heart made of bricks. I could not be happier to be alive and well. I live every day with one belief in mind and that's "Everything happens for a reason." Growing up feeling so alone and like no one cares, feeling invisible to the people who should love and care the most; the people who put me on this earth, is a huge struggle for sure. Every day wondering which turn to take, which path leads to where I want to go, and feeling so helpless and completely misguided. No one telling me they believe in me or holding my hand through anything. No one to wipe my tears or make me popcorn and cuddle up with a movie after a hard day. No one asking about your day at all. I spent so many years trying to find it within myself to justify being mad at the world. I was mad at the world for so long that I missed so many opportunities and friendships. I could never trust people and when I would get close it wouldn't work out and I would blame them, thinking there must be something wrong with them. The truth is clear. All this time I spent angry at everything and everyone, I actually spent building a wall and that wall was pretty impenetrable. Then, one day I just woke up and decided to make my own luck. I decided to make my own happiness. I decided to heck with this wall and I broke it down. I am not angry anymore. I will not hurt anymore and I will put all that pain I went through to good use. I realized I am a mom and I am an excellent mom. I brought her into this world and she is amazing. I have so much to be thankful for. I have wounds and scars but they are what make the beautiful, strong and selfless person/mother/aspirant I am today. I am so grateful to have gone through every single struggle and to have made mistakes along the way because without those heartaches and mistakes I would not be where I am today. I have learned so much that I can pass on to my daughter (my other half) and to the rest of the world. I just want to give back and to live on making mistakes and learning from them because that my friend, is what life is for. I smile and I laugh and I appreciate every moment with my family and I am optimistic, positive and hopeful. There is hope everywhere, you just have to have your eyes open to see it!