I am not going to tell you "I'm stronger than ever" or "2015 sucked." What I am going to tell you is that 2015 was a year of self-love and choosing happiness. I have never felt more comfortable in my own skin as I do now. Do you know how empowering that is? It's amazing. Don't get me wrong, I have off days, too (cue J. Cole's "Nobody's Perfect"), but overall, I love myself. And I've felt this way for most of my life. I did things for me, to better myself. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled to demonstrate that love. I wore things that made me feel great. I nourished my mind by reading articles about things that interest me. I spent time alone. I took myself out on dates. I prayed. Additionally, I chose to be happy. I could have easily been negative and sad for the entire year if I wanted to, but I said "FOR WHAT?!" There was no point to me. I have lived happily all my life. Why stop now? I decided to do the things that made me the happiest: laughing, being with my family, and traveling. I laughed and laughed and laughed until my stomach and cheeks hurt, with family/friends. I spent quality time with my family after not living with them for a year. I traveled to our majestic Rocky Mountains, Costa Rica, and Moab. Again, off days happened, but I made the decision to dust myself off the next day and try again (shout out to Aaliyah).
Both of these things combined have made me feel so fulfilled and whole from the inside out. Because I loved myself, the choice to be happy was simple. What I have noticed is that people tend to be drawn to my happiness and my energy. I have been asked time and time again, "Why/how are you so happy?" and I would always respond with "I don't know, just because!" My response recently changed to, "Because I choose to be happy, no matter what happens." I could be at my lowest low one day, but I will always find a reason to laugh or smile. I will literally be crying, talking through my feelings with a close friend and by the end of it, I'm cracking up, crying tears of joy. Why? Because my track record for getting through bad days is 100% so far. And that is pretty good. So why stress? Why dwell? I let myself feel all the emotions I need to feel and then proceed to do what I need to be happy again. It's a choice. Life is full of choices.
So there you have it, friends. The secret to life. I choose to continue doing these things.
What will you choose?
bless up.
-alex
