Epilogue

I was running through a big maze inside a building, most probably an office as I saw lots of cubicles, PCs, and chairs. I wanted to get out. Escape isn't an easy mission though when society expects you to behave in certain ways. But there was no time for thinking things through. A guy in a black suit wearing black glasses was chasing me. He had a small business card on the left part of his chest. It stated "fear". From the other direction, another guy wearing a black suit and sunglasses was chasing me. On the business card, located on the left side of his chest it was stated "conformity". I was running around, trying to escape them and I heard beside me some shots. They also had guns. "Catch her!" I heard one guy screaming to the other.

As I was trying to escape them I noticed while I was running some chocolates. However, if I stopped and ate them they would have caught me. Therefore I just ignored my sweet cravings. I kept running and running till my feet became sore and they were close to me. As they approached me and took their handcuffs out, I looked at them and with the power of my mind dissolved them. Then I exited from the nearest exit and some rays of sunlight greeted my sensitive eyes. A mysterious woman with black curls looked me in the eye, smiled warm-heartedly, and said: "Congratulations, Johanna! You finally made it as an author and you've touched people's hearts!"

The scene changed. A storm and its wind broke down a tree, which fell on me. As I was shocked, I realized the lightning that broke the tree somehow managed to get through me. I felt energy traveling through my body and I saw all my inspiration in form of energy flowing through every inch of me and realized all the pain that was inside of me could be transformed into inspiration and change the world and my life if I was brave enough to allow it. I finally woke up and looked into the mirror. At this point, I was never going to be the same again and knew that things were going to be very different in the future.

******

Ten years had passed. The world changed so much during this timeframe. However, she did too. She grew up from a scared, little girl to a confident, brave woman.

"There are going to be times that test you, times that change you, and times you enjoy. And no matter what life throws at you, the key is to remember that to live a happy life you have to embrace both good and bad experiences. The good experiences will bring you joy, while the bad ones are going to be your teacher. Life isn't about getting everything you want. A happy life is one in which you decide to wake up every day, be grateful for what you have, and for everything that happened to you because it shaped that beautiful person you are today!

Yet, there are going to be moments that test you and even have the power to break you. Let's face it: the world we live in is cruel. Stoicism is what saved and changed my life. We need to speak less and think more. Allowing yourself to calm down and react afterward with a clear mind can make or break your relationships. Reacting under the influence of emotions, especially negative ones rarely is a good idea. Whenever something happens that may not be what you wished for accept it as something positive and see the opportunities this situation presents to improve your life and act upon them. Stop asking " Why me?". The universe has its ways to make things happen. Setbacks help you figure out a better plan for the better version you are supposed to become and improve yourself, the world, and the people around you. Your failures, heartbreaks, lost friendships, and everything that happened to you and was unwanted was part of the universe's plan to put you on the path toward greatness and discovering and following your purpose.

You need to focus on whatever you can control and ignore the rest. Beating yourself up for whatever can't be changed and your attachment to certain outcomes will bring you great suffering. Why not improve instead of the parts of your life that can be changed and accept whatever is uncomfortable and cannot be changed at the moment? You are the one causing yourself suffering by refusing to let go of whatever can't be changed when you could have focused on whatever can be changed. You won't be liked by everyone. Some people even hate you. The truth is you can't control how people see you. For situations that are in your control, it is your responsibility to find a solution and act accordingly to change your life. It was not in your control where you started in life, what genetics you inherited, your family, but it is your responsibility to act rationally and change whatever can be changed and accept whatever you can't change. Your attitude and determination to find a solution to make your dreams happen will make the difference. I never thought I could write a novel, but I could write it by zooming in and ignored the fact that my eyes aren't my strong suit. I am not my eyes. I am way more than that. If your life was a novel or a movie, what ending would you like for it? Unleash the power from within and make it happen. You have the power over your mind, not outside influences or factors. You are the architect of your life. Accept whatever can't be changed, but manifest and change what is in your power and doable. Your life is your responsibility. Even when life gives you lemons, you can still turn them into lemonade."

People clapped and she smiled, while a tear discreetly ran down one of her cheeks. "Hey, can I get one autograph? Please? You truly changed my life since I read your novel. I can't wait to read the next one." a woman dressed in a blue dress told Johanna. "Sure," Johanna signed the book of the lady and asked her. "Do you want us to take a selfie together so you have a souvenir from the day we met?" "Sure," she smiled and they took a selfie quickly. Johanna saw a whole line of people waiting to meet and greet her in the amphitheater, where she just held her motivational speech. It took lots of rejected works, but her grit was worth it: she finally was a published author and earned more than enough, doing what she loved and inspiring people to become their best selves. Tears of gratefulness discreetly showed up in her eyes. Sometimes, when plans don't work out as you want them to, the only way to get through life is focusing on the things you still have in your control and keep going, asking yourself what that one thing you can do right now to change your life is and acting upon it.

A few days later she was in a clinic waiting for the injection for her genetic eye disease to be administered. "Are you ready?" the doctor asked, as she was preparing it. "Been ready my whole life. However I am grateful that I had the disease, otherwise, I wouldn't be the person I am today!" The doctor smiled mysteriously. In about a month after the injection, colors discreetly changed and were deeper, sensitivity to light decreased, and she was finally able to see almost all lines on the vision board. Johanna sat down on a balcony and looked at the sunset, as she contemplated what the future might now hold In place for her, as she finally surpassed the obstacles she once cinsidered impossible to overcome...