“The first important piece of advice I’ve received is from my Grandmother who told me, “You create your own happiness, you have to wake up every day and tell yourself that this is going to be a good day and fight to make it so.” The second best piece of advice I’ve received is from another important figure and teacher in my life, Mark Dzykowski, who said, “Every moment in life is a choice, but when you look back on your life they blend together to seem like one choice. Choose your moments wisely.” Mark made me realize that we make a million little choices every day and in each choice there is a thread that from a distance show commonalities with the others. He helped me work to learn what the similarities in my choices are and choose each one wisely. Another important quote I’ve valued along my journey is from Maya Angelou who said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” I’ve come to really appreciate and value my optimism, especially in people.” Read more