Everything happens for a reason....

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away
that they were meant to be there . . . to serve some sort of
purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or
who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be but, when you lock
eyes with them, you know that every moment they will affect
your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem
horrible, painful and unfair but, upon reflection, you realize
that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never
realized your potential, strength, will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or
by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of
true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits
of your soul.

Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved,
straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable but dull
and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life. The successes and
downfalls that you experience can create who you are, and
the bad experiences can be learned from.  In fact, they are
probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays  you or breaks your heart,
forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust and
the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back, unconditionally, not only
because they love you, but because they are teaching you to
love and open your heart and eyes to little things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it
everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to
experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually
listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free and set your
sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual
and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself,
no one else will believe in you.

Create your own life and then go out and live it!