I traveled to foreign countries alone

I am happy that I have learned how to be happy. I have learned self-acceptance and self-respect because I know I’m not perfect but I also know how much I try to do what is right. I treat myself as well as I’d want someone else to treat me, including buying gifts for myself on special occasions and not insulting myself if I make mistakes. I focus frequently on gratitude for things as small as a beam of sunlight or a breathe of sea air and things as big as a soul connection to Divinity. I don’t dwell on unimportant things like who said what. I get over insults quickly. I don’t blame others for my feelings. The strength of character I’ve earned over the years shields me from making most foolish mistakes. I have learned communication skills so I can defuse many situations before they become problems. I have learned self-discipline and delayed gratification so impulses don’t get me into as much trouble. I have learned to accept life as it comes, rather than to keep seeking something different. Most importantly, I have learned the source of love—inside me. I feed it with attention to encourage it to grow larger, and I feed it outward even toward those I dislike the most. All these things bring a degree of happiness, even on the darkest days.