There have been certain moments in my life where everything has been put into perspective. Perspective; as in everything making sense, everything falling into place, and everything that was once broken and bent, now being rebuilt and put back together. I can wholeheartedly say that this year, I have been more genuinely happy than I ever have been before. This year has been full of moments of clarity and I know that I can contribute that to my different perspective on life. I have come to the realization that not every situation in life is going to be pleasurable and full of prosperity. Moments of happiness may be temporary and come in small packages; therefore, they should be treated rare and valuably. And although I’m sure that sounds cliche and typical, it’s one of the most relatable pieces of advice that I have ever heard.

Often I ask myself the question, why? It’s a small, three letter, yet powerful word. To be completely honest, I think the question “Why?” is one of the hardest questions to answer. Recently I performed in Grand Rapids Ballet’s production of Peter Pan as Tiger Lily. Running out onto the stage, bowing, and looking up into the audience of overjoyed and applauding faces was one of my biggest moments where “why” and “perspective” came into play. I thought to myself, this is why I do what I do. This is why I spend the hours upon hours in the studio for this main moment. This moment of immediate happiness was small, but will be in my memory for the rest of my life.  

Throughout these past few weeks, I have been trying to live my life fully, following by this small, cliche, and simple quote;

“Every situation in life is temporary. So, when life is good, make sure you enjoy and receive it fully. And when life is not so good, remember it will not last forever and better days are on the way. “

I have found that if I follow and live by this quote, my life seems to go by smoother, more care free, and happier. By doing the things that I love and make me happy, I can live a life full of no regrets with little displeasure. Dancing is one of those small pieces of happiness that contribute to my blissful life. It is one of the most dependable and motivating aspects of my life. 

Our entire lives seem to be a search for the ideal and perfect state of happiness. Your perspective on life and the way you live is one way to achieve that. But from what I have learned from this quote and from my past mistakes, is that moments are temporary. Whether they be good or bad, you should cherish, enjoy, and learn from them. That is the secret to how I live my life.