Some of the toughest climbs in life are also home to some of the most breath-taking beauty and eye-opening moments.

The journey toward finding happiness begins with gaining the courage to fight through pain.

Not everything in life makes sense and not everything that makes sense comes as easy as we would like it to. Struggle brings pain while happiness does its best to relieve us of that pain when we feel lost. We must remain willing to take chances outside of a world that is shaded by our darkest moments to appreciate the brighter ones that our heart has waiting for us.

I remember the feeling of desperation in moments where my emotions flowed in directions that I could no longer find the energy to travel. I would build up reasons to give myself a chance to fight while my addiction sabotaged the strength that I was pulling together. Things made so much sense in my heart but did not hold the same representation and promise in mind. It was not until I got to a point where my soul spoke louder than my thoughts that I was able to hold on to a feeling again. A single feeling and moment of freedom from my deceptive thoughts placed a hold on all of my demons’ plans and finally put my hopelessness to rest.

Every challenge we overcome once existed as an obstacle that we had to grow the courage to face. Every moment that we are able to find peace supplies our heart with a chance to express our souls love. When we learn to live in a world where we can love ourselves no matter what else is going on around us is when life holds happiness close and peace finds its truest form.

What will you do today to live freely in a world where you love yourself and all that you have to offer exactly as you are?