"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your blessings. And once you have achieved a state of contentedness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)

This is Life

"This is life," Dad said to me,
"It's hard work, and its real and has pain.
But family, friends and simple moments
Are all you'll need at the end of the day."

"This is life," Mom said to me,
"People will always break your heart.
But our purpose here is to turn and serve others,
Then, through you, God's love will impart."

"This is life," Shelby said to me,
"Sometimes you go through trials.
But God speaks softly to us and says,
'My peace I leave with you, My child.'"

"This is life," Paige said to me,
"It's hard to know who to trust.
But know that you're strong and will find a smile,
So move onwards and pull yourself up."

"This is life," Auntie said to me,
"Sometimes things seem without reason.
But life is long, and God is good
And this is only just a season."

"This is life," Grandma said to me,
"You want to protect the ones you love.
But you can't, so just pray and entrust them
to Him who orchestrates all from above."

"This is life," the Father said to me,
"You'll fall, and sin, and know pain.
But I'll protect you & guide you, & be right beside you,
Even unto the end of your days."