The loss of a loved one has made me more motivated to do the things I thought I could never do. At first, it was rough, as all losses are, but I powered through. I lost my brother almost 6 years ago and while it has been hard, I know that he'd want me to enjoy the better things in life. I pushed myself to go to college and get a job to keep myself busy. Although college is rough, I absolutely love it and it has been the best decision I've made. However, I am paying for it by myself which it not only hard but takes a toll on my mental health. Losing my brother has made me realize that I need to fight for what I want even if I don't get it. I was always told that if I don't get what I want, something better was coming and I believe that. I put myself in his shoes to see what he would do, even if he is gone. Life is very stressful and being a young adult makes things a bit tough. I aspire to get to where I want in life, which is to love the job I have while having my own family. I fight for that because I know I have many things to lose and I want nothing but stability and happiness. While focusing on many things can be hard, I like to focus on only a few things at a time. I rank those focuses as priorities so I can get them done instead of being distracted. Sometimes it's hard to stay focused on things and have a positive mindset, but being able to get things done always makes me feel good. Mental health is a big part of my life even if it isn't my own. Everyone deserves to be loved and happy. We may not always get what we want or get along with others, but my advice is if you have ever lost someone, always show others love no matter what.

Being optimistic is hard for most people, including myself. However, staying positive through tough times and hard obstacles has taught me that good things will come your way eventually. Knowing that something hasn't worked out hasn't stopped me from achieving what I want in life. I take a step back, process my emotions, and think about other opportunities that I can get. Being a half-glass full kind of person isn't easy and sometimes you don't always get what you want, but being able to see the brighter side has helped. I don't let myself get down about things I have missed out on. Being optimistic isn't something you're taught, it's something you learn as well. As someone who has had to learn it, it can be difficult at times. It has taught me that you don't always need to be sad over something that could lead you to something better. There is more to life than just sitting around and being pessimistic, so why not be optimistic about things. It makes you feel better about yourself, your self-confidence increases, and it makes other people happy to see you not be so negative towards everything. There have been countless times when I feel like I can't succeed at anything, but I learned the hard way that it gets you nowhere. Positively seeing things can not only lead you to better things, but it can also make you a better person. You stand out from others who are always negative, and no one likes someone who is always negative.