Happy 33rd!

Today is my 33rd birthday. If you would've asked me 10 years ago where I would be now- I don't think I would've imagined where I would end up today.
I've has lots of disappointments, multiple heartbreaks, many wonderful moments and endless joy!
What have I learned in my 33 years?
You really do determine your own happiness and it truly is a choice to be happy. Life is craptacular. (It's so spectacularly crappy!) And at any given moment, there are good and bad sides to every situation. Where do we place our focus? We may not be able to control what happens in life, but we can control how we look at things. And, yes, I am far from perfect at doing this, but I try. I try to learn from every situation, to forgive, and to see things from a perspective other than my own.
I've learned to let go. When I was younger I lived with a lot of fear. A fear of adandoment, of failure, of loneliness, of having a broken heart, of missed opportunities, of shattered dreams... And guess what- I've experienced most of those things and I am still alive. The sun still shines, and a new day always dawns. Holding onto things always seems to suffocate the thing you hold most dear. So, learn to let go and forgive.
I've learned that I need my faith and the gospel now more than ever. There have been times when I've felt like there was no way I would receive the promised blessings... so why even try anymore. Then, in His loving way, I am reminded of what is really important. That no matter how much I learn and how old I become, I will never outgrow my need for the gospel and my place as a daughter of God.
I've learned to be grateful for what I have.
I've learned that no matter how many times you are hurt, you must NEVER stop loving others.
Because, without love, what's the purpose?

Happy 33rd birthday to me!