#YOLO

I've been told so many times that in this life, that you are lucky if you: have at least five true friends whom you trust completely and who love you for you, have a major impact on at least one person's life, find the meaning of true happiness and love, realize that the best things in life are free, and are not scared to be yourself. There's so many other things, but those are the major ones.

That being said, I love my job. Since being here and working with youth, it has really given me more patience and compassion and understanding. It has opened my eyes and allowed me to see more clearly with my heart, also. I really impacted one girl's life majorly, I'm not going to talk about it much but we had a very good connection and she trusted me completely and we taught eachother a lot of things. I helped her with school(she's very bright, and with my help went from being behind, to ahead of her class), and she helped me appreciate the simple things, like giggling like a kid again and teasing and being able to laugh with no restrictions, be goofy like no one is watching. Not just that, but every child I have worked with has shown me different things. Whether it's to be a better gamer(thanks boys), a better baker, better fooseball player, some Michael Jackson moves, better on the ski doo, or just an all around better Inuk. The amount of love they have, is incredible. It makes me feel amazing that I went from being down on myself and thinking I wasn't going anywhere with my life to working with children who didn't have it as good as me growing up and who just need someone to listen. I'm lucky enough to not have just impacted one person's life, but the life of many. I never was a big sister 'cause I'm the youngest, and every child I have worked with has a special place in my heart. I love being the "older sibling", I love that they trust me enough to open up to me. When my time here is up, this will always remain my true, my spiritual, home - and I am confident these children will not forget me, as I will not forget them.

And apparently I have not just impacted children, either. But the amount of support and love and kind words I have received from people that, for awhile, I thought didn't remember I even exist - is amazing. Telling me I helped them, that their going through the same thing, that they appreciate me opening up and sharing my story, that they feel comfortable knowing they aren't alone.  Hearing those kinds of things really make my day and help me to believe truly, with my heart, that I am doing what's right. I have more than five friends I can trust with anything, and I am grateful. I am still on my way to knowing the meaning of true happiness, but from what I have learned, it is that money does not = happiness, and love is the most amazing thing in the world. Being able to smile is the most valuable thing ever. The best things in life really are free. Smiles, hugs, walks, love, friendship, compassion, sunsets, sunrises, being out on the land, talking to my elders, spending time with children, knowing I am never alone, being a survivor, having a family that adores me, friends who will never betray me, seeing the northern lights, art. It is not about money, or what kind of car you drive. It is about the people you touch by your life in this world, and how you portray yourself. It is about being content, with being you. I am happy to say, I love myself. Big boned and all, I'm beautiful. And no one, nothing, can take that away from me.

You do only live once. I wasted too many years in the dark, and I'm ready to embrace the light. Don't waste your time with things that won't matter in five years. Be yourself. Love with open arms...find your own reasons as to why you're lucky to be alive.