This is Day 42 of the Positive 100, a countdown to Rare Disease Day 2014 and an exercise in being positive despite it all.

This one repeats itself a few times, and that was on purpose. We need to remember to smile.

This year was full of ups and downs and twists and turns, but most of all it was full of smiles. From new friends who became fast friends and best friends, to old friends who saw me through, to family that was always there with a smile even when things got tough, the one thing that stayed the same was the fact that everyone I hold dear was always standing at the ready with a smile.

Thank you for your smiles. They mean the world to me.

Share the positivity on Twitter, Instagram and Google+ with the hashtag #100positivedays. Also, you can sign up to be emailed a recap each week of the challenge.