what defines us?

I don't believe in perfect. Not everything lines up in the exact, appropriate way that we wish it to. We can only accept the hiccups and the disorder. We don't have to understand it, we just have to accept it. When we do, we are that much closer to finding happiness.

For me, at this ripe age of twenty-four, is when I finally get it. I get the inner and outer workings of it all. It took awhile to get here. It took a few wrong turns. A handful of failed relationships. Some tarnished friendships. A struggle with weight. Career contemplations.

It took life.

I don't think we realize how strong or beautiful we really are until we go through a few of life's lessons. What makes us realize our self-worth is how we approach these, overcome, and venture on. It's not that life is cruel. Life throws us only the things it knows we can handle and grow from.

It's not without reflection. Looking back on who you were, and realizing who you are now is part of the journey to loving yourself. You realize how much you've grown. You settle into the person you've become and with that, comes contentedness. You gain confidence. You gain love for yourself, and for those around you.

When I look back, I see that a few wrong turns actually turned out to be the right ones. That handful of failed relationships led me to the "forever" one. Those tarnished friendships actually left me surrounded with positive, supportive, healthy, and loving influences. That struggle with weight taught me to treat my body right. Those career contemplations led me in a new direction that I couldn't be happier with.

I'm sure life has more in store for me. Things I won't see coming. Hard circumstances. It always does. It's important to remind yourself that these circumstances are actually blessings in disguise. Necessary chaos. All of it leads you to become stronger and wiser, if you let it.

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