let go

I have things to say, and I have a lot. (: I am very passionate about the following topic, so yes I spent my Saturday morning writing an essay on it. I hope if you choose to read you will find yourself enlightened.

I was kept up late last night (with something other than homework). I was pondering deeply what I want from life. Why do I really do the things I do? Am I doing xxx because it's what I want, or what others expect from me? Yes, the typical thoughts. They're extremely healthy thoughts to wonder every so often.

I came upon a delightful breakthrough of delicious insight. The thought came that I know exactly what I want, and I've always known. Finally my brain caught up with my soul, and it spoke and said, "Yes! You're finally getting it." Don't you love those moments of self-discovery? I live for them.

First, I don't want to be defined by what the culture, the media, the world sees.
Second, I want to eliminate judgement and social barriers.
Third, I want to be me and be happy.

1

The more behavioral classes I take, the more I am exposed to all the social pressures that exist. It's absolutely unreal. I could even label it sickening. Its quite disgusting at how easy it is to create a social media account and how tricky it is to erase it (I'm speaking from experience). The world wants you needs you to thrive off of them. If everyone saw their true potentials and stopped scrambling to see life through others' eyes, the world would crumble.

"If I'm stripped of all social media, what's left to define me?" Think on that. Let's be real: there's a you, and then there's the other you everyone else sees. It's not something to be ashamed of; this has happened to everyone. But your life is your own and is meant to be kept private. People are infiltrating their private lives with what the world sees, and that is decreasing confidence and increasing self-destruction.

"People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved, and people are being used."

You've heard that before. Remember it always. It's probably one of the smartest things ever stated in such simple form.

2

If you find yourself in the shoes I was in, wanting a renewed outlook on your life, look deep. Emotion is the one thing that will never lie to you, so use your emotion to determine if you feel you are being influenced by pressures of our society in any form. Make sure you're doing what you're doing for you.

I'm not going to pretend that I'm not a part of all the barriers and labels. I am. But this is one thing that has to stop, and I believe one day it will. And I want to be part of the people that say, "Hey world, thanks for finally catching up with me. I stopped doing this ages ago."

Barriers... ): The definition of a barrier is 'a structure which blocks or impedes something.' Social barriers are ignoring, degrading, or any form of deeming someone 'not normal' that gives you/society an excuse to exclude them. There are no excuses. This is a major problem and it just needs to be attacked with emotional nuclear weapons.

There is something to be said about idolizing others. Labeling them as 'beautiful', 'creative', 'important', etc. It's important to validate others. But be careful with labeling them 'perfect', and trying to copy. You are you, and your life is yours. The best thing we can do to combat influxes of social pressure is self-identifying. Its a beautiful thing when you are inspired by someone else, as long as you know you don't have to turn to others to validate yourself.

Everyone's in an absolute frenzy to be labeled with what they feel fits them. The wonderful news that I'm discovering: you don't need to be! You can just be you, and nothing else. The kinds of people you want to be around-the ones that will love you for you-will surround you. The rest of the world will keep on turning and labeling without you. And you don't need to be a part of that. Its a refreshing realization.

3

Happiness is the key to absolutely everything. Do everything you possibly can to have it all your life. Yes, everyone has good and bad days; but the majority of your days should be bright. You can make it that way. Life will throw at you what it will. I'm choosing to be happy.

Is vital to choose the real happy others don't see from a smiling profile picture: the happy that comes from what you choose to love. Choose what that will be for you, and let go of the rest. I believe that life was created for our happiness, and I'm using it as a resource, not a setback. I feel freed, whole, and absolutely in love with life. Not the world: life. I have made my choice and it has indescribably, indefinitely altered my path.

Remember who is at the driver's seat: it's you. Your life will be the adventure you want it to be if you put your values and inner circle of precious ones first. That's all that matters in the end. Find what you want, and live for it.

I wish you a happy Saturday. (: