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

You never know who these people might be: your neighbour, child, long lost
friend, lover, or even a complete stranger who, when you lock your eyes with
them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some
profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you and at the time they seem painful and
unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those
obstacles you would have never realized your potential strength, willpower,
or heart. Everything happens for a reason.

Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad 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, whether they be events,
illness or relationships, life would be a smooth paved straight road to
nowhere, safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

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

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for
they helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart….If someone loves you, love them back
unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are
teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would
have never seen or felt without them.

Make everyday 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 either. You can
make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life, and then go out
and live it!