LIVE. LAUGH. LOVE.

I often think about how I got to where I am today and how somehow everything that has happened, big or small in my lifetime have made me a better, happier, wiser and stronger person.

Now this is coming from someone who's lost a parent, struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts among a boatload full of other things. If you've ever heard the saying, "you can learn and grow from every experience," I want you to know that this is indeed true.

When I look back to some of the hardest moments of my life, I can tell you that honestly each of these experience have taught me some of the most important things you'll ever learn: That love can heal, there are good people out there if you allow them in, memories of loved ones live on forever, you cannot love anyone until you love yourself, you alone are good enough, words can kill, friendship is sometimes bitter sweet, you cannot please everyone and most of all, never settle or give up because life is a journey full of roadblocks and failures but the best comes when you refuse to let one closed door break you down and acknowledge that there is a purpose for everything.

I'm 14 turning 15 in September. Whenever I tell people my story, they often ask me "why are you so resilient, how can you be so strong, what makes you so positive, etc, etc?" I usually laugh or smile in response. The truth is sometimes you don't have a choice. When you fall into really bad situations, you cannot waste a second feeling sorry for yourself. You have to survive, build a wall around yourself and push on. Whenever people ask me "how did you get through losing your dad at such a young age?" I always say sometimes you don't get through it. There were so many days when I couldn't get out of bed. I was a mess always breaking down and other times I felt nothing at all. Grief spiraled me into so many different directions. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't living, just floating around like a lifeless fish. For me, I found peace and happiness through the kind hearts I met of friends, teachers, counselors and other who kept me going.

Even though I still struggle with grief and many insecurities, I find so much joy in knowing that I have a purpose. I am meant to do amazing things, not just because that's what my dad wanted, but because I know that I am good enough.

I want anyone out there who may be at a bad point in their lives or have been through similar experiences to know that life isn't all a dark cloud. There is light at the end of every tunnel and sometimes the rainbow you were looking for was right in front of you all along. Never ever give up on yourself because I promise you that there are people out there who care.

You are meant to be who you are. So never give up on your dreams or your goals.

Picture this, all of the hard stuff you've gone through are not what powers the stove. They are rather minor parts of the elements on the stove top that allow you to run smoothly. There experiences do not define or dictate who you are. Never forget your past or where you came from but use them as motivation to be a better person.