Finding a Reason to Smile - My Daily Inspiration

A few years back, I decided to start a blog. However, I let life and all of its craziness get in the way of me continuing it!

I have found that it is easiest to push things off giving the typical excuses, “I will get to it after I get a job”, “after I move”, “after I have enough money”, and the list goes on and on. Until you fully commit yourself to the things that make you happy regardless of how much work it takes, you will never feel fully complete.

In the age where it is so easy to compare yourself and your success to others via social media, it is easy to forget what is most important in life.

I am guilty of constantly refreshing my Instagram, saving photos I wish were my life, and over analyzing why I don’t look like the Instagram models. I was spending so much time dwelling on this, that I was missing out on spending quality time and being present with the people that mean the most to me. This past October, my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer that was very aggressive and within two months I lost one of the dearest and most important men in my life.

What I learned during those two months was that the only thing I cared about was getting to spend as much time with my grandfather as possible. I realized there were so many stories from his past that I hadn't heard before. I learned that daily inspiration doesn't need to come from Pinterest or someone else's Instagram, but from the people around us. My grandfather was always learning, reading medical books, science books and studies, but not because he had to but because he had a hunger for knowledge.

My grandfather always said to work hard at what you do and be happy. No matter what was going on in his life, he always managed to make us laugh and we knew no matter what we were doing (sports, art, music), he was there cheering us on. He was proud of all of his grandkids and I hope I can continue to make him proud.

At the end of the day, all you can do is be yourself and make sure that you are doing the things you love and are passionate about because life is short and there is too much to learn, see and experience! I am going to try and be as authentic and real in these posts as I can, so read at the risk of laughter, eye rolls, and maybe tears? Oh God, I hope tears of laughter!

My grandfather taught me how to laugh, that knowledge is wealth, and that the only thing in life worth taking seriously, is gelling your hair perfectly (me below trying to mess up his hair). So Grandpa, I hope you are looking down on me and know how much you have inspired me! I love you forever and always <3