What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

"Sometimes when you’re young, you think nothing can hurt you. It’s like being invincible. Your whole life is ahead of you and you have big plans, big plans. Find your perfect match, the one that completes you. But as you get older, you realize it’s not always that easy. It’s not until the end of your life you realize how the plans you made were simply plans. Because at the end, when you’re looking back instead of forward, you want to believe that you made the most of what life gave you. You want to believe that you’re leaving something good behind. You want it all to have mattered." -- One Tree Hill

I may only be 23, but in that short time on earth, I have seen more than most people have in a lifetime; More drama than I ever cared to be a part of. And more heartache than I ever thought possible. Being young doesn't make you invincible. Imperviousness is not something that we innately have as young people. It takes time, years of mistakes and learning, and a lot of strength to be impenetrable by outside sources and influences that can take us down. Something I have learned is that I am not impervious, but instead I feel too much and let things get to me when I shouldn't. That is why I have a problem with cutting. But instead of focusing on the mistake I made in getting involved with cutting at all, I put my energy into keeping myself strong so I never have to stoop that low again. I want to leave some good in the world when I go and help people that are struggling with their own problems find the strength to stand up and take charge of their lives the way that I have. If that means that my problems can be used for the greater good, then so be it.

Today I got my 4th and final tattoo. This one means the most to me out of any that I have gotten before because it is a direct reminder that I am stronger than what I have faced. And it will keep reminding me that I have faced worse and can overcome anything. They say that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And I wholeheartedly believe that's true.