What an experience it was to walk through an art exhibit by art genius Takashi Murakami. If you didn't get the chance to visit Takashi Murakami's art exhibit while it was at the Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago, here are a few photos from The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg.

Birthdays are an amazing thing to celebrate. You get to look back at all the beautiful (and not so beautiful) things you were fortunate enough to go through at that specific age, but then have the blessing of looking forward to even more when you turn a new age. When your birthday comes along you get to turn the page onto a new chapter where you create new memories, meet new people, grow as a person, and experience things you've never experienced before. Make sure you take the time to reminisce on how much you've grown within that year. Be thankful of all the people you've met during that year and bring along the ones who have stuck by your side into your new year. Failure and lows were bound to happen when you look at all the memories within the past year, but you can say that you got through it. Now you have the opportunity to make this new year of living even better than the last. So don't ever have that mentality that you're getting old and losing time to really do what you want. You may not be where you want to be right now in your life, but you get another year to work even harder and push your limits. So blow the candles and wave hello to that new  chapter.

photo credit: Brianna Napier Productions

There are those moments in our lives where we feel lost or as if we've forgotten our purpose. Moments where we stop and analyze what we're doing in our lives and question why we're not completely happy. Although we find ourselves to be in our lowest times during those moments, that is when we find that fire inside of us. That fire that pushes you to do big things and become an even better person. It may take weeks, months, and maybe years, but I've found that when you're at your lowest you tend to dream even bigger. So when you feel like happiness was taken away from you or like life is being unfair, prove yourself and everyone around you that you're stronger than that. Yes it may seem impossible to be truly happy and bounce back, but you'll get there. It doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you're taking steps forward. You might find yourself unintentionally taking steps back, but setbacks are a part of life. If you keep pushing yourself to move forward, that  is a breakthrough itself. Don't feel pressured to move on, just make sure you're moving forward. Just like you, I'm also trying to prove to myself that I can overcome these hard times and build my happiness again.

Here are some of my tips on how to get pass the struggles:
1. Let yourself feel whatever emotions you need to and don't be embarrassed or ashamed of it
2. Count your blessings & think about how fortunate you are compared to others
3. Read inspirational books
4. Focus your energy on something you're passionate about
5. Start something new to give your life some sense of a fresh start
6. Step out of your comfort zone
7. Travel & put yourself in a different environment
8. Surround yourself with people who care about you, love you, and put you in a good mood
9. Write down all the things you want to do and accomplish
10. Say those things out loud to yourself, to others, to the universe and watch it come to life

When the world feels like it's slowly crumbling, hold onto the hope within you. There's been a lot of negative things happening around the world, but we need to remember to stick together and never give up on this life. There's beauty out there and sometimes you just have to change your perspective to see it. You're alive and that's what matters. So fight to live as oppose to existing.

To everyone going through hardships, understand that this will only make you stronger! Hold onto the people you love, let go of that grudge you've been holding, and be thankful you're alive. There's so much to live for, don't let your DREAMS go to waste. Don't let the negative in this world dim your light. Do whatever it takes to make those dreams come true; I'm right there with you.