The Story Continues

 It is kind of crazy how everybody returns back to what they were originally supposed to do--what everybody is originally passionate about, motivated by, and excited towards since they were a child. And here I am, back to what I love doing, too. It is pretty wild to see how a whole year has passed--how many friends I have made, how many memories I got to experience, and how much I have learned.  I have learned more within this year than I ever have learned my entire life.  I have met people that have changed the way that I view life and think of others. Throughout this year I have battled difficult situations and mental hardships.  I endured pain in my career, in friendships, spiritually, and with life in general. But, at the end of the day, I have grown in everything I have been through. So, here I am, back on my computer sitting in my room during finals week (when I really should be dedicating time to studying...).Life is so short.  The more I grow, I see how short life really is.  I also see how sad people are with their lives.  I've met people who I can tell are numb to the world, and how they have experienced battles that have won in their lives. I have started to notice how easy it is to fall into the trap of your own sadness and pity-- but how important it is to pick yourself up, shake it off, and go after your own dreams.  Because, in reality, if you don't chase your own dreams, nobody else will do it for you.I have learned that WHO cares what others will think about you?  Who cares about what others might say about you?  As a wise person once said to me, there will be people that talk down on your name for your entire life.  It's inevitable, so you just have to accept it, own it, laugh at the thought of it, and continue on. I have made some of my best friends within this past year.  It's absurd to think about since my last post in February, I did not even know my current best friends even existed.  I have made inseparable bonds with some people that I never expected to, and developed friendships that I hope to last my entire life. I just can't fathom how much can change in a year--but yet I am so happy.  I am so happy to this day, sitting on my laptop during finals week of the fall semester of my senior year. I am living with my best of friends, three people who share the same motivation, sense of humor, and excitement for life as I have. I have grown in my relationship with my beautiful girlfriend, in which we have grown so much stronger in ourselves and religiously. Lauren and I have been through uncontrollable laughs, tears, adventures, prayers, and memories together-and this year put a strain on both of our lives, but we fought through it and fought for each other. I have met, within the past couple of months, people that inspired me-- people that influenced me to get back to the Juice Box.  Recently, I sat down with a creator who has dreams of escalating his career in the finance industry by practicing his own YouTube channel.  When I saw the flame and the passion in his eyes to be a creator, it took me back to the lust of excitement I had when I started the Juice Box. Then, after lots of time where I've been alone with my thoughts, I knew it was time for me to open my laptop again and do this for me.  I needed an outlet, a showcase where I can do what I love to do, create and write.  I love people, I love new experiences, and I love making the world a better place.  And the Juice Box is where I can combine all of it. I'm so grateful, excited, and motivated to be back, and for the path of love and laughter I hope to bring to the world through the Juice Box. -TJO