Optimism.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." -Maria Robinson
If there was ever a day to start a new ending, today was definitely the day. Today had the most outrageously gorgeous weather I have felt in months. There's nothing better than walking to school with your best friend in February wearing shorts, and I can't think of anything more perfect than hitting up the park after class to toss a ball around with your other bestie. And to end the day, another Anna-Mikhael adventure and more priceless memories made with the best roommate ever. Beautiful.
At this point in life, it becomes increasingly more difficult to face the bombardment of trials put in front of us with a smile. The refiner's fire seems to be glowing hotter and hotter with every step forward and there does not seem to be any sign or intention to cool. It is in these moments of suffocating heat that we need to look for the simple joys, the tender mercies. Spontaneous study sessions with a friend, lunch with pals from home, taking the scenic route on the walk home from school, any little thing that can put a smile on our face and remind us of the many things and people the Lord has blessed our lives with despite our adversaries. If we do this, I've found that our lives will be filled with much more happiness and a greater sense of fulfillment. There is always, always hints of silver in the gray, you just have to keep your head above water long enough to see it. Our Father in Heaven is mindful of each of us and every circumstance and situation we find ourselves in is for our benefit, no matter how strenuous or awful they are. He has not and will never forsake us. Have faith in Him and we will feel joy. With this mindset, it is easy to have a clearer prospective and motivation to become everything we want to be in this life.
No one can escape their past, but they can determine their future. Today is the day to start writing our new ending, and we will keep rewriting it every day by our works and faith, persevering through the storms, finding gladness in all things, until one day when it truly is the end, we can look back and be happy with what we gave.