Whether we like it or not, life always happens. Sometimes we are prepared and sometimes we are not. When we are thrown a curve ball, things can suddenly seem unfair, unclear and certainly unexpected. No one has ever told you that life is going to be easy. If they did, they are lying! We will always have lemons thrown at us from time to time. Truly living is not about avoiding the hard knocks of life. It is about what we do with them.

There is always a gem to uncover no matter how bad a life situation has you in its grips right now. Look for it. It's there and after you find one, you will find another, and another, and another. Get your eyes focused on what you have instead of on what you don't have. If you look for it, you will find it.

Abundance is all around you. If you are willing to take a step out in faith, you will see opportunities flood your direction. Look for those things that seem to pop up coincidentally and you will see that abundance is given to all of us. We just have to notice it, claim it and celebrate it! We will always have exactly what we need at just the right time. Begin to believe it.

Start living your life without blinders. Uncover the beauty of nature and let it flood your heart and soul. Allow the simplest things in life to fill you with joy and presence. The laugh of a child, love given by a beloved pet, or a blossoming flower may bring a smile to your face. Taking these first steps in allowing yourself to receive simple pleasures will open your heart up to sing. These little unspoken pleasures are a gift and will open the door for much bigger and better gifts in the future.

Life circumstances do not define you. You are an important and remarkable human being. There is no one else like you! You have been designed perfectly with many gifts and talents. Don't let anyone or anything make you believe otherwise. Reconnect with who you are and celebrate your best qualities. You can be going through the worst of circumstances and experience joy and peace in your heart and soul. Get your mind in the right direction and you will feel rest when you need it and exuberance like never before.

Don't wait to do these things until your life circumstances get better. You may be waiting a long time. Do it now! Stop trying to survive and begin to thrive!

When we go through trials, we learn more about ourselves. That is one of the many hidden blessings about unexpected situations. You really learn how strong you are and what you are made of. Once you get down into the darkest part of your life, you realize that you have nowhere else to go but up. Celebrate that! I'll guarantee that you'll be on your way back up emotionally, mentally and physically even if your life circumstances are not.

Your current circumstances do not define you. What you think and how you decide to react to it does. You may not be able to change your life situation, but you can change yourself. Life is a gift. Choose to make the most of it and start moving forward.