Happiness....We all define happiness in different ways. I think that joy can come from the most simple of things such as sitting under the sun, a well needed phone chat with a friend or a smile from a stranger. What brings each person joy is unique and varies, some may say it comes in the form of money, travel, people and so on, but one thing I have come to realize in this crazy roller coaster of life is that it is okay to allow myself to be happy. That after going through some heavy storms in my life, it almost became strange to feel happy at times because sadness, suffering & pain became normal over the years, but I am alive today, I have overcome and there are many reasons to be happy. I am not perfect, not even close, I have many weaknesses and challenges just like everyone does, but I am learning to be okay with it, accepting it. It is okay to cry when I need to cry and get angry when someone wrongs me, BUT I no longer want those things to control my happiness and peace. I am allowed to be happy, I am allowed to have joy and I do not need to numb myself from things, but feel and feel deeply, in the most amazing way. I do not need to live in such a way where I am pulled down in the weight of my past, burdens or my short comings, it is okay for me to struggle, but it is not okay to let the struggle be in me and become who I am! Strength is not ignoring disasters in life, it is feeling it, dealing with it, facing it and no longer running from pain, but allowing myself the freedom of healing, and that is where I find my peace! I can be happy! Feeling sad sometimes is okay, it means I am living, breathing, a flipping human being! I able to enjoy pure happiness because I deserve it and so do you! It is okay to let yourself be happy! You have been through enough, allow yourself to enjoy this life, breathe and let yourself free now, free to be happy. It is time.