As we grow and mature, our outlook on life shifts. For me, when I was younger I wanted to be the perfect good girl, have perfect grades, a good group of friends and be liked by everyone. I put all my effort into trying to make others accept me (spoiler alert, didn’t work out). Although I am still a very kind hearted individual who works hard, I feel that through accepting the fact that I do not have to be perfect has helped me become more self confident. From a young age I had my life PLANNED. When I say planned, I mean every year I had goals that looked twenty years into the furture. I knew what I wanted and how to get there. This sounds perfect, everything made sense. But was it what I wanted?

In my junior year of high school I struggled with the idea of choosing a career path. Everything I had planned I decided was not what I wanted anymore. I looked into becoming any possible profession… meteorologist, doctor, lawyer, speech pathologist… anything you can think, I probably inquired about. From all this stress and feeling like I had to make a decision I learned the importance of patience and looking for signs. My grandma became very sick a year later (don’t worry this applies) and upon visiting her in the hospital and seeing the role of a nurse, I deicded that I wanted to be just that. Worrying did me nothing, It was through a sign that was meant to happen that I found what I had been looking for. Although the job that I dreamed of for over 10 years is not what I choose, I learned two things. 1. It is ok to be perfectly imperfect. and 2. what’s meant to be, will be.

• 

The innate concept of having a partner who shows endless love for a lifetime is the ultimate goal for many. Individuals strive for this from a young age in hopes for the ‘perfect life’. Upon thinking, instead of teaching young children to find someone else to love them, teach them to love themselves. It is proven that if you experience hatred towards your own body, more difficulties arise in a relationship. Therefore, embracing flaws and differences in children will form strong, positive adult relationships . Self love can be practiced through taking time to be alone and reflect on life, choosing positive friendships and knowing that who you are is exactly perfect. In conclusion, I believe self love is the foundation for all healthy, successful relationships.

A year ago, I would have sat inside during a downpour of rain, feeling gloomy and patiently waiting for the suns return. When the realization that this is the only chance you have to make memories sets in, the importance of daily happiness is crucial. An as a society, we are so reliant on others for our joy that we have become unable to bring sunshine to our own lives. Rather than sitting inside frustrated about the things we as humans are unable to control, change the perspective that you use.

Learn to dance in the rain, all by yourself. The feeling of having no-where else to be or people to attend to is simply priceless.