If you had asked me when I was in my 20’s what my strengths were I would probably have mentioned that I was intelligent, had achieved a lot in college and that I was very competitive. Nowadays I feel lucky to have been able to see my true strengths which really only come to the forefront in times of need. After being diagnosed with a serious long-term illness I was forced to drop out of my career and reprioritize my life. Now I realize my real innate strengths are my ability to see the joy in small everyday things, empathy and determination. I am glad that my life did not turn out the way it was heading before my illness. I feel mentally stronger than at any other time in my life now and I truly appreciate the inner strength that we are born with that helps us to wake up each day with an optimistic smile. I believe most of us go through our lives without realizing what amazing strengths we have been born with.