Little Life Lessons

               I find that every single day of our lives we learn little life lessons, ranging from don't touch something if it's hot in fear of getting burnt to learning to laugh at yourself instead of feel bad for yourself. I feel like since moving out the amount of little life lessons I learn increases every single day. I've learned so much here already, and that is excluding my academics. I have been thinking a lot about how I can make college the best experience ever, especially after hating high school as much as I did. And the lessons that have been hardest for me to grasp, even though my loving parents have pointed them out to me time and time again, are these 3 things. 1. That my happiness is in my own hands. If I can't be happy for me and by me, then nothing will ever truly make me happy. 2. That what others think about me DOES NOT MATTER. Not even a little bit. The only opinions that matter in the long run are my parents, my own and my Heavenly Father's. And I think I am doing ok in those departments so far. 3. That the people I surround myself with shouldn't bring me down. I know that sounds extremely obvious and a sort of "palm to face" scenario, but it is genuinely something I couldn't grasp for the majority of my life. I made myself miserable all throughout high school strictly because of the people that I surrounded myself with didn't lift me up; they didn't make me want to be a better person, example and Daughter of God. They didn't make my friendship, my thoughts and opinions a priority in their lives. I was manipulated and used, and even though I saw it, I still let it happen. I wasn't the best Haley Jean Young I could have been throughout high school and that is why I was so miserable.

               So coming to college has really opened my eyes that it doesn't matter if you're in sports, theatre, cheerleading, choir, or on the Honor Roll. While all of these things are great and important, they aren't what truly matters. What matters in the long run is that you like, no LOVE, who you are and what you stand for. Because the second you become ok with yourself, others will see your confidence and be drawn to you. And even if they aren't it won't matter. Because you are you, and you are happy, and what they think you can take as a grain of salt. Luckily for me, I have made some pretty incredible friends while I have been here who have taught me these lessons already, without even knowing they have. They have taught me to learn to love who I am and go for what I want. They have taught me to not dwell on the past, and not take others negative actions towards me as a reflection of who I am. But mostly they have taught me that there are people out there who want to know me just because of who I am. And that goes for everybody. So I am sorry for the overly cheesy post, but I just know that somebody somewhere needs the same kick in the butt that I have so lovingly received.

               And as a side note, thank you to all of those who have been true, real, and loving friends to me. Whether it has been for many years or just a few days, I appreciate and love you more than you know. Thank you for always encouraging me, lifting me up, and being so accepting of who I am.