How to be Happy

I have been blessed to live in one of the best places on earth. Parents can let their children roam the neighborhood without fear of predators, schools are safe, and most of my peers share my values, beliefs and standards. In my personal life, I have a great family who loves and cares for me, and I am confident in myself with good self-esteem. I like being who I am, and I love knowing I can be better than who I am. My family isn't particularly wealthy, but we live in a large, beautiful home and despite our financial difficulties we have never had to go without. I have the grades and abilities to get into college, and the ability to work so I can pay for it. I can pursue my interests almost instantly with the resources and programs available in my area. All four of my grandparents are living, and I have a large extended family who loves me and supports me and my pursuits. Compared to millions around the world, I have the perfect life.

But I know that many people don't. I'm not referring to just the starving children in Africa, or the restricted way of life in China, or the perils of the Middle East. Even in my neighborhood, people struggle with things I have been so blessed to have avoided thus far in my life. Families are broken. Abuse, drugs, and smoking may not be common, but they are present. Depression and poor self-esteem plague too many souls. Too many candles have been put out; too many souls don't feel they have a purpose.

I guess that's why I'm starting this blog. I don't know how consistent I'll be, I don't know if anybody will even read it. I just want to make a little difference, if I can. 

To anyone struggling with family members, with substance or physical abuse, with addictions, with depression, with work and school, with friends, with relationships; to anyone with any kind of problem: you are enough for your problems. In fact, not only are you enough, you are amazing. Incredible! With every obstacle you face, you also have the capacity to overcome it. I'm not just saying this. I believe it with my whole heart. Nothing that happens to you is beyond your control. You can overcome it. You can make a difference.

Anything that tells you-- or implies-- that you need to weigh a certain number, look a certain way, wear a certain trend, say certain words, or be a certain person is the wrong source. Don't look to others for who you are! You can never be happy if you let everyone else shape your life for you. The trends will always change, and there will always be a new and "better" way to be. The real you never changes. Or, rather, no one else can change you. That's your job. 

If you want to be beautiful, here is a free, guarunteed not-so-secret for it. Learn to be yourself, and love it. There is nothing more attractive than a person who is comfortable in their own skin and has accepted their imperfections as opportunities to grow. When you are confident, others can feel it. And you know what? When you are confident with yourself, you can focus your energy outwards, on other people. You can help them, and you can love them. When they feel of your love, their confidence grows! Isn't that a wonderful cycle? Being happy, and helping them become happy, so they can make others happy? 

I won't pretend to be perfect at this, because I am not. I work at it, just like anybody else. But every time I tell myself, "You know what, I messed up, but that's okay. I'll try harder this time.", it gets a little bit easier to  improve, if I really want to. That's why we are here on Earth-- to learn how to love. 

And that is beautiful.