I'm smiling because when I yelled my loudest and cried for the hateful noise to stop, I learned to create a state of harmony in my own mind  
I'm smiling because when I was told I was different I learned to embrace it, why be the same when you can be more than that
I'm smiling because I could never shake that my nose was too big for me, but now my heart has grown to be the biggest part of me
I'm smiling because I've watched someone I desire desire someone in front of my eyes and I learned to have better taste in what I desire
I'm smiling because as I've heard people say things they don't mean, I've made a promise to mean everything I say
I'm smiling because after losing almost every belonging I grew up with, I learned that material items mean close to nothing  
I'm smiling because after waiting on things that would never come, I've learned to never wait on happiness and to seek it out instead
I'm smiling because I've grown close to people who aren't in my life anymore, and I've learned either something beautiful or essential from every one of them
I'm smiling because people who were once complete strangers have become permanent residents of my heart and everlasting parts of my memories
I'm smiling because I think its funny that people assume when you're always smiling you must have never known pain  
I'm always smiling because although I've known pain, I know there is beauty in pain and there is beauty to be found in everyday