Let’s be honest: 2016 was one heck of a year with many ups and downs… however it seemed like the year had way too much negativity at times. However, despite all the hectic business that is 2016, the year has taught me so many valuable lessons, which has made me only realize that the best of things can result from the worst of times.
1. Sometimes people leave your life for the better.
We’ve all been through horrible fallouts with flakey friends or bad breakups with ex-significant others who we thought would be our “forever.” 2016 was a year full of love and loss for me, but in a good way. I’ve lost some friends in my life who, in retrospect, weren’t really my friends to begin with. You all know what I’m talking about, or, if you’re lucky, maybe you don’t, but these are people in your life that you could never count on. The people who always bring you down instead of building you up. When these people leave your life know that it is okay, and good to let go of people who do not encourage you every day.
2. Cherish everything and everyone you have in your life.
2016 has made me realize that I am so fortunate with all the blessings I have in my life, as well as all the wonderful people I can count on. I have noticed this more than ever this past year because of my internship working with children in a residential treatment center, who have been abused or neglected. For these kids, it is so hard to trust people, which can lead them to think that their lives are not worth living. However, the children that I have gotten the opportunity to work with are the smartest, kindest and funniest people I know, and I consider meeting each and every one of them a blessing in my life.
3. People are capable of change, for better or for worse.
I know this sounds so cliché. Trust me, I am even resisting the urge to roll my eyes at myself while writing this important lesson, but hear me out. People are not all bad and everyone deserves a chance to learn, grow and become a better version of themselves. As a psychology major, I believe in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt and helping others change for the better; if you work hard enough, you too will experience this change. Change is good when it is positive and this means that sometimes second chances are worth it. That being said, sometimes people change for the worse, mostly because they do not see their own self-worth or even your worth. These are the type of people that you can let go of if your life.
4. Last, but not least: Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can be President of the United States…