At some point in life, one will go through hardships that make the brighter days seem so far away. Whether it feels like you’re drowning in homework from the end of the year dump, there are problems in your personal life, or you feel you are just ‘in a rut’, everyone has something they are trying to make it through.

This year it feels like my life has been flipped upside down and turned inside out. On Nov. 12, 2021, I received the news no person wishes to hear: “Your dad has cancer.” While trying to navigate the world with common problems almost every teenager goes through such as school stressors and striving to be liked by everyone, this news almost knocked me over. 

Right after this devastating news, I heard a song that would become my mantra for the next few months – “Brighter Days” by Blessing Offor. I never used to understand the way people said music speaks to them; however, music truly has the power to help people through their darkest times. Whether the lyrics speak to you and give you hope for the future, or the music helps fill the emptiness that can become so prevalent at times, it is important to find your own mantra to lead you through life’s ups and downs. 

While the compilation of all of these factors is far less than desirable, it forced me to take a step back and re-evaluate where my priorities are and how I was spending my time. It forced me to start fully embracing myself and choosing to do what makes me happy because life is never guaranteed, so why not live life to the fullest with the people you love.

Now that the clouds are clearing and the cancer is disappearing, I am able to see the brighter days and all of the valuable lessons that have come from what I thought would only leave me broken. While I wish I could clear my dad’s cancer and get rid of all the insecurities, life is a journey that we are all walking down, and sometimes life’s greatest lessons are hidden throughout some of the hardest moments.