This sentiment all started when recently a friend of mine (Ben) sent out a group message containing the following quotation:

“People are often unreasonable & self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have & it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

Mother Teresa

I was “unemployed” for approximately one week this year. Though this was a situation I’d never faced before and it was something that was difficult for me to process on many levels, I’m thankful for everything that has happened to me so far this year. What I can say I’m most appreciative for is the fact that I’ve had several jobs. I have immensely talented friends who are having trouble finding any job at all. They have many marketable skills, are friendly and willing to work hard, but just can’t seem to get the call back, the interview or the initial shot they need. I am blessed to have been able to find work that is not only engaging, but that I enjoy and am proud to be associated with.

In all of these events, I’ve been reminded that there are genuinely amazing individuals in this world. However, simultaneously, I again was forced to come to terms with the fact that negativity exists; I was tested and almost fell victim to becoming a bitter woman. This is a huge fear of mine: becoming negative, jaded or cynical. I enjoy my positive outlook and don’t feel that I’m being unrealistic, childish or naive. I have a healthy and upbeat outlook when it comes to the world around me. Sure, I have bad days where I want nothing to do with anyone. It’s also no secret that I have my fair share of opinions about things, but I do my best to give every individual the benefit of the doubt. Without question I will be the first to admit that this has gotten me in trouble, broken my heart in a few cases and caused me to question my beliefs a ridiculous number of times.

Putting that much trust in the world might seem silly. I don’t think I could live without believing that love exists, people aren’t all bad and things have the potential to be better than this. I can’t subscribe to the life view of everything is going downhill with no chance of any positive change. That’s not healthy. That’s not what I’m here for. You can believe whatever you want, but I’m not going to just follow suit. 

I sit here on a Saturday with a pile of things to get done in front of me, and I’m glad. Every task I have set in front of me is something I can honestly say fills me with at least a slight bit of passion.

It’s overwhelming when I think about it. I’m not even 25 and I’ve already got big plans for myself. Not only that, but I’m actually taking the steps I need to get there. Things are going well, and I’m really astonished how smoothly things are going. It’s exciting and scary all at once… For now, I just keep going.

(Source: icatchfoxes)