It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important in life. We get caught up in these moments that are meaningless in the scheme of things. I’ve had intense clinical anxiety as long as I can remember, so for someone like me especially, it’s incredibly difficult to pull myself out of the moment that is causing intense stress and just put it into perspective.

Will this matter tomorrow? What’s the worst that could happen? Is this truly a crisis situation? And most times you immediately know the answers, but your primal brain takes over and the fight or flight response kicks into high gear. The knot in your stomach, the light headedness, the fear, anger, frustration.

It floods over your entire body like high tide. It doesn’t matter what questions you ask yourself, what breathing techniques you use. All you see, feel, and think is pure anxiety.

But luckily for me I have people in my life who love me unconditionally. And they know me. Truly know me. I don’t know if it’s where I am in my life now or the experiences I’ve had over the last two years, but things are different. I’m different. And I’m ready to continue down the path of happiness. Having a lifelong support system is a huge reason I’m able to stand up to the bullshit and just say no. It will not take my happiness. I will be happy in-spite of it.

That is a place that is very difficult to reach. But I’m almost there. And it’s the most amazing feeling. Not only do they believe in me, but I believe in me. I’m beginning to see myself the way they do. Everyday I have love, I have patience, I have support, I have a teammate, an entire team for that matter.

How can you not succeed with such power behind you? I remind myself everyday not to take it for granted. I see the love and support in its purest form.

Most days I wake up and wonder how I got so lucky. How I was blessed with these people who have my back no matter what. It’s because of them I will keep my head held high and be the best version of myself that I can. Because they deserve that. I deserve that.

Everyone deserves that.