Staying Positive

Many people know me to be a very spunky, outgoing, and all around positive person. I see the good things in life and appreciate the small (and sometimes seemingly unimportant) things. I use each new life experience, whether good or bad, as a lesson. But lately I've been struggling to continue to be my normal, positive self. I've been dealing with catching up on work, sicknesses and deaths in the family, and people who just don't seem to understand. When things like this happen, I get a little down on myself. I start to develop anxiety (I have NEVER had anxiety about anything EVER!) and become very emotional. Near the end of the whole ordeal I realized that there was really nothing more that I could do but to just move on. And I did! The people who were understanding have been absolutely great. The entire thing made me a much stronger person because I learned how to deal with all different types of personalities. Besides STAYING POSITIVE (which is the main point of this post), there was one other thing that I found to be the most important lesson that I've taken away from this.

I have learned how NOT to treat another human being.

I understand that people get tired of excuses but sometimes things just happen. There is no way of preventing that. It's just life. And sometimes, when that happens to a person, you can't turn your back on them. You should try to empathize and work with them. Although it may seem like an inconvenience to you at first, it may make a huge difference in someone's life. I learned this important life lesson because someone who I had looked up to as a role model decided that they didn't have time to try and work with me and it really hurt. I would never want to make anyone feel the way that I felt in this situation. I've decided that from now on, I want to make sure that I don't blow people off. No matter how frustrating someone is, I would rather work with them, talk to them, and see things from their perspective before I make decisions about them. Because sometimes people just need to be shown a little compassion. Especially in a stressful time.

Back to the point of staying positive. The only thing that really kept me sane throughout everything was talking with my parents. I know they are always there for me and I am so grateful for that. Most people don't have parents who support their children like mine do. They are truly saints. I know that I can always call, whether it be during the work day or 3 in the morning. And the whole time, they continued to tell me that I just need to stay positive. It will all work itself out in the end and will eventually be over with. (Actually, that's something they've told me my entire life). And you know what? They were right. It's over. The stress has been lifted and now I can focus on getting things back in order.

Tonight they took me out for an early birthday dinner seeing that I will be gone on my actual birthday (in a week. Yay 19!). Dinner with them would have been enough but they also happened to pick me up a gift. Part of that gift was a ring (which makes this gift even cooler than it is with the meaning behind it because I absolutely love rings). On the ring is engraved the phrase "I promise to STAY POSITIVE". It's a nice little reminder from them of something that has been a huge part of growing up. (I'll put a picture below). I plan to wear this ring all the time and whenever I look at it I will always be reminded of what's really important in life.

"Happiness, that's the great thing. The important thing is to be happy" -Our Town

And the only way to be happy is to remain positive.

Also attached below is a picture taken of me today (after everything was finally over with) and you can just see how relieved and relaxed I look.

-Jackey