One of the worst things a person can do to themself is failing to believe in their own ability to find success. Nobody gets anywhere by doubting their merit. The scope of what an individual can obtain becomes so much larger when this is realized. Seriously, all it takes is a little bit of blind faith and optimism. To be fair, the last few years have taken a toll on everyone and there has been so much change, which can be daunting, but it’s only natural to adapt when problems arise.  So optimism can be hard to find, but that’s why confidence is in such high demand. This allows for the passions and goals of a person to shift over time. The road ahead may appear obfuscated, but change takes time, and it’s not practical to expect things to go exactly the way they have been planned. It’s rare that things work out that way, and why should they? To have things go exactly according to plan is a fool’s errand. It just doesn’t work like that. The sooner unpredictability is embraced, the sooner that fog covering the road ahead begins to dissipate. Nobody knows exactly where they’re going to end up and that’s okay. Lay out a plan, have options, but don’t expect it all to stick.

The bad news is that happiness is something a person has to strive for, not something that they are owed. The good news is that it’s not just a cliche, hard work really does pay off. If I’ve learned anything from my time at “The Connection,” It’s that. Whether it’s keeping a notepad to keep track of goals, or a journal to keep track of emotions, all progress is good progress. The phrase “it’s easier said than done” is thrown around a lot to deflect personal responsibility. A task might sound so daunting that even the thought of doing it is enough to give up, but it doesn’t have to be much; doing at least one productive thing every day is all it takes; that’s it. One productive thing is all it takes to get the ball rolling, then soon enough one becomes two, and two becomes three. It won’t take long. It may sound tough, but you won’t know until you try.  

The truth is that being miserable is the easiest and most comfortable position for a person to inhabit, that’s why so many people are. Being happy is difficult. It takes time, effort and faith which is why so many people are unfulfilled. It’s not as simple as choosing to be happy, but it’s about trying. Comfort zones are meant to be left. As soon as things begin feeling too safe, it’s time to look for the next challenge. Failure is a good thing, it means there’s room for growth.  Nothing is permanent, and that’s okay.