recovery.

Recovery. The dictionary gives a few different definitions of the word:
1. the regaining of something lost or taken away
2. restoration or return to health from sickness
3. restoration or return to any former and better state of condition

Each definition is completely true; however, what the dictionary fails to define is how hard it is to actually recover from something. Recovery is something that every single person has to go through in their life; however, some roads to recovery may be harder than others, depending on what one is recovering from. No matter what a person is recovering from, the ultimate goal is to leave behind whatever it is/was that caused pain. First glancing at recovery, one might think it would be an easy road. This assumption is not true.

Recovery starts with understanding and recognizing that something needs to change. Coming to the realization that you deserve better than the life you are living at the moment takes a lot of courage for most people, because the majority of people have felt insignificant and "not worth it" at least once in their life. After realizing that one is "worth it" and deserving of happiness, motivation and determination to reach that happiness, follows. All of these realizations and gaining motivation are the easy part. Actually moving on is where most of us falter.

In order to fully recover, one must cut out everyone/everything that has caused them pain and/or unhappiness; or, move on. Letting go of people who you might have once thought you could count on is easier said than done, even if you know that all they do is cause pain now. However, it is completely necessary to fully recover. Moving on never becomes easier, no matter how many times you have to do it.

I have been recovering from a lot of things, and I have been happier as I have made the effort to release everything that causes me pain. Although the initial release is hard, it ends up being worth it. Sometimes it is hard to know which things/people are only hurting, and that is why moving on is so hard. The road to recovery is long, but always worth it; no matter what you need to recover from.

"Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hold on to the past is holding you back from a new life."

home.

Growing up, I never really considered the true meaning of home. To me, home was always just the house I lived in. I thought that when I left home, the new place I lived in would automatically become home. However, after I moved out I realized this way of thinking was not true at all. Home is not only where you live, but as the old saying goes, "where the heart is." Home is where one can feel completely at peace, or in other words, completely happy; regardless of what kind of situations are surrounding us.

Feeling at peace is something that every person in this world is striving to feel, and it is interesting to me that this feeling of peace is right in front of our noses; at home. I feel lucky to know that I have finally figured out what being home means to me.

Being home means being around those people who show me that they will always be there; no matter the distance. Home is being able to sit around and do nothing, but because I am with those people, that feeling of peace overwhelms me. Knowing that I will always have people that are my "constants," makes me know that I can always find my way back to them, back to this home. No matter where my life takes me, those people who make an effort to stay a part in my life will always be home to me, and I know that I am very lucky to have this. No matter how hard it is to be away from my physical home, I know I will always have a place in their hearts; a place at home. My only hope is that they can see the place that they will always hold in my heart as well; home.

"Home is not where you live, but where they understand you."