You know…

When something suddenly doesn’t appear quite as flawless as it originally appeared to be?

When that friendship (or any relationship really) hits a rough spot and you have to decide if you should work through things or just move on?

When the water looked so blue and clear from a distance but as you get closer it slowly becomes browner and murkier?

When you wonder…is it really worth it?

When the things you thought you were looking for do not turn out to be exactly as you had expected?

When the ‘honeymoon phase’ fades, whether with places, people, or things?

Please…

Do not give up and do not give in.

If you caught a glimpse of exquisite beauty but then hit a bit of rust, dirt, or a stain, would you so easily turn away?

It is when the beauty is found and uncovered that it is at it’s purest.  It will never be perfect, it will always have some marks, but it will shine like the stars anyways.  It will shine when you need it the most if you will just work through things and give it some time.  When things lose their glamour it is not the time to give up.  It is the time to give your all.

It is when we finally realize that it’s ok to dream and it’s ok for those dreams to change that we can finally see beauty everywhere. 

It is when we learn to get back up after we fall and lose that pride that has been drilled into our bones.  That pride that tells us we have to be SOMEONE.  That pride that tells we have to have SOMETHING to show for ourselves.  That pride that insists upon things and appearances.  That pride that never allows you to find peace. 

So when you hit a rough patch just remember, it is merely a step. 

It is up to you to make it step forward. 

A time to remind yourself that things are not always rosy.  

But smile anyway. 

Smile and be one of the ones that fights for the goodness.