Gus (Bright Side, #2)

by Kim Holden

I have so much doubt and it's so deeply ingrained that it's hard for me to turn off the worry.

It's a reminder of the beautiful things the human heart makes possible.

Your character, your heart, your essence, that's what's important, because that's the real you.

Life ain't about coasting. It's about pushin' the damn gas pedal all the way to the floor. Same goes for fun and love, no coasting. Pedal to the floor."

Because she lived in the moment. She didn't live in the past. She didn't give herself a chance to regret anything because she went out and made the most of what she had, even if it wasn't much. She never saw the negative, which so often pervaded her life. She looked for that one sliver of positivity and she blew it up until it was all she could see.

There's something epic that happens every day if you look hard enough for it. And every day is a chance to go out there and do epic. The key is putting forth the effort.

used it to turn himself into the person he wanted to be. The person he thought other people wanted him to be. The problem was he forgot who he was when he was sober and embraced the drunk version instead. And when that happened, I never saw my real dad again. He was absent. The drunk dad pursued people and a lifestyle and forgot to be a parent. It's not that he's forgotten about me altogether. I still talk to him about once a year. Does he love me? Sure. Is he good at showing it? Not at all. That's life. I've accepted it.

I've always felt defined by unconventional. Don't get me wrong, I was always grateful to my aunt and uncle who raised me, but I always felt different, like an oddball. Because I didn't have a mom and dad. Or even just a mom or a dad.

Maybe it's about opening up your definition of family to include friends, too. Because friends are the family you choose.

"I mean, I think people find each other when they're ready for them. When they need each other the most. And it's in that time of need that the strongest relationships are formed."

I don't miss opportunities anymore. Ever. Life is about living every moment. Doing what I want and need to do. No more hiding. No more hesitation. Just living.