This Little Light of Mine

There are many things in life that add to our happiness. A new outfit. A new gadget. A good meal. The list continues. Wonderful yes, but altogether short lived. Ultimately—more than anything, it’s the people, isn’t it?At this moment, I’m sitting alone, typing along but still feeling immensely grateful for the people in my life. I love these moments when I can sit back and reflect. When we’re constantly surrounding ourselves we have no time to process. We have to cherish these moments and not let them pass by. We can’t forget.As many of you may know if you read my blog, I’ve been in a long distance relationship since August. It hasn’t been easy but to me, it will always be worth it. I think it’s so important that we make people the number one priority in our lives—to not put them second to TV shows, our bad habits, or whatever it may be that slyly pulls us back from where we should be. We need to be present in our relationships, even when we cannot be physically there.My boyfriend has been home for a month now and it has left me in such elation on a daily basis. I’m all the more thankful now for his presence than ever before. He’ll be leaving on Sunday and it will all be as it was again for the next month. Still, I can’t help but feel immensely grateful to have such a person in my life, even if only for bursts of time. Just to have some time is enough to make me happy.I know you shouldn’t count on other people to make you happy. It must come from within. But still, don’t you think that some people can illuminate a part of you that was growing dim or completely dark before you met them? I do. Once that light has been sparked, you can’t help but feel the warmth of that new positive energy shining from within. And then that new light you have can be passed along and shared to start a light in others. And so it goes—on and on.So as I sit here tonight kindling the light within, I hope you will find your light and help others find theirs. Life is about making connections—not fearing nearness. Let us welcome it instead.Keep shining,The Sunny Girl, Lauren CookGet your daily dose of sunshine by "liking" The Sunny Girl page by clicking here!