Thank You

I haven't posted in a while due to some serious events happening in Christchurch. I've had a lot of things going on between school, friends, and other things, and I want to thank you for bearing with me through it all and asking if I've been okay.

The main thing that's been on my mind the last week is how grateful I am for this life. I've said that before, but I seriously mean it this time. Loving each day already has been hard because of my own internal issues, but the life I've been given deserves to be loved for everything it is, good and bad. My parents, my brother, my friends (new and old), the trips I get to go on, the education I get to have, and the God that loves me. I am blessed to have the type of security in my life that grants me the ability to love and live freely without thinking about the consequences. I have the freedom to go about my day without worrying about what may happen to me. I have the freedom to love whomever I want to and know I'll be supported. I have the freedom to be and do exactly what I want because of the security my family has given me. I have freedom to talk about my God because He is popular in my country's climate.

I have privilege. It's time I recognize and appreciate it wholeheartedly. It's time we all do.

Everyone has their problems and they all deserve attention and care, but so do our advantages. Life is a constant up and down; when you're up, help those who are down. When you're down, seek help from those who are up. I believe life is solely about the pursuit of true happiness and friendship, and appreciating them when we have them. Half the time, we don't know what we're doing to get those things - trial and error, constantly - but when we get them, we often keep looking for more and more. I'm learning to take more time to slow down and notice the good things that are happening, no matter how small they are. Waking up, eating breakfast, taking a walk, hearing a friend's voice, telling someone you love them - those are some of the simplest things that we constantly take for granted.

Ultimately, there will be a day that we can't say or do those things anymore. There will be. We don't know when it's going to happen, so start now. Recognize the life you've been given and use it to better yourself and those surrounding you. Thank the people around you for what they've done for you and the love they've given you. Thank yourself for being strong enough to go through all the bad things, yet still smile when given the chance to.

Thank you reading this, thank you for smiling at me when you see me, thank you for the hugs, thank you for the lessons, and thank you for being in my wonderful life. You are a part of what makes it so worth living. And thank you to my God for giving it all to me.

Love it already, because each day deserves your love and affection

-Tess