Words

One of the best things about being a human today is having this immense, yet equally as formidable, power to use words. We use words to convey ideas, thoughts, opinions, and basically let others know what we're thinking. However this great power we obtain comes with a great responsibility as to not let our words bear an incorrect significance. From a young age, we are given the tools to forge a powerful vocabulary. As we grow, we collect new words that are added to that vocabulary, and by the time you have reached your teenage years, you have quite a colorful language. When you're happy, you shout and cheer and exclaim. When you're uncomfortable or angry, you complain and whine and cry. Those distinct phrases you use express what you're feeling. The tone you use when speaking to someone can easily depict what mood you're in as well, and can help the other person understand what you are feeling. Yet in spite of the admirable amount of face-to-face contact our nation is displaying, we are still becoming a technological age, and most of our conversations occur over social medias or text messaging. The concept of "body language" is now removed from the picture. The things you write or type are not as easily deciphered by your recipient. It doesn't matter if you meant something as a joke because the person that read it isn't thinking of how you said it, but what you wrote. It is now that we encounter a new problem. In current days, words like "cyberbulling" and "online harrassment" are being used more than ever. This of course is due to the fact that computers weren't as common 50 years ago, but also that funny comments and sarcastic humor is being taken more literally now. The unsettling truth is that people find a satisfying comfort of hiding behind a profile making rude comments rather than expressing their opinions in a socially-acceptable way. You can say whatever you feel, in a positive way. There is always a chance to enforce constructive criticism. I've noticed that many communal platforms have turned very negative, and are being flooded with unnecessary hate. I am a strong enthusiast for sticking up for what I believe in and "getting my point across", but at the same time it takes a level of maturity to understand an argument and think of any possible outcome your words might have. As a professional in whatever you do, there is no "She started it." or "It wasn't my fault." You have to recognize the battle you enter before you submit a comment, or post a status update. Belittling someone for something they did wrong doesn't make you seem any better, it only makes you appear like you've sunk to their level. The strongest way to improve a situation is to talk to that person and express you're discontent with their actions. I'm not saying that murderers are great people and you just don't know them fully, I'm saying that before you "seek revenge" on someone by posting something about them, understand that it can be misinterpreted and you could be the person in the end looking like a jerk.

15 Pieces of Advice

As I turn fifteen, I realize I have experienced quite a few things. Here is my advice for life.


1) Chances. The world is full of them, and there are so many people missing out.

2) Others. It doesn't matter if other people don't like your style. You do, and that's all that should matter right now. Do things that make you happy.

3) Effort. All great things take effort and persistence. Don't believe me? Check out my previous blog post, dedicated to the lack of motivation in today's youth.

4) Time. There's a lot of time in your life. More than you think. Wait to do adult things when you're actually an adult. You don't need to smoke or have sex now. Now is the time to get through school, and hang out with friends. Don't worry about what you can't control now. There is always a brighter tomorrow that holds new opportunites.

5) Thoughts. While most humans like to share their thoughts and feelings out loud with people, it's important to have a "filter". Take in the consideration of others, and make sure your comment isn't going to hurt them. It's important to have a voice, but make sure it's a positive one.

6) Priorities. Spending 20 minutes every morning putting on mascara to impress your peers isn't going to help you pay rent in 15 years. A job is. Education is number one right now.

7) Respect. Respect is treating someone with no lesser value than you would treat yourself. Always remember that in order to respect others, you must first respect yourself, because without it, you wouldn't know how.

8) Confidence. Following suit of "self respect", confidence is key. Pursue your dreams, and have faith in yourself to achieve any goal you set, because no one succeeded in this world without first believing in themselves to do it.

9) Health. Your body is growing right now. The most it will in your whole life. Take care of it. Soap is nice, as well as an occasional facial cleanser. Eat fruits and vegetables, as well as lots of water. Don't binge on candy too frequently, but make sure to give yourself treats every now and then.

10) Belong. You were put here on this Earth for a reason. Whether that was by God or Buddha or whoever you believe in, or a freak chemical reaction, it happened. Don't think you were ever a mistake, because at one point, the stars aligned just for you. Why would you hurt a body that was put here to do great things? Cutting, drinking, or puking won't help any problems. This world wouldn't be better "without" you. You always belong somewhere.

11) Love. We as humans have always had an unfulfilled duty to love one another. We were made as equals, and therefore shall be treated as equals.

12) Color. Everything deserves to be colored at some point. And when you think about it, color can add variety, excitement, or change, to anything. However it doesn't change what is on the inside of that thing. It's just a slight outer adjustment.

13) Connect. There are so many people in the world with the same dreams or interests as you. You can make so many friends and relationships based on them too, you just have to put yourself out there, and connect.

14) Dream. Always keep your goal in mind, no matter the strength of darkness.

15) Live. Value everyday as your last, because you never know if it might be.

Effort

As I recently found out, people are oblivious. They fail to recognize opportunity. So caught up in their own lives they become unaware to the chances they are missing, and therefore become content. Content with achieving the standard, and are not tempted to surpass it. We are growing up in a world where the minimum is accepted, and humans deter their efforts to make themselves someone. I guess you could say, we are losing inspiration. It's times like these that we can lose sight of the future. And, I am not speaking for the adults in this world, or for the people who have their heads on straight. No, I am speaking for my teenage friends who as I talk to, become less and less excited for their lives ahead, and that are so engulfed with their well-being now that they never want to grow up. Kids that obsess over their hair, or makeup, or social media accounts, or significant others, they tend to all lose motivation to become something in their life. As they deal with the traumas that occur now, the idea of a "bigger picture" can get lost. However, it's as simple as walking down the street without taking selfies, or auditioning for that role without getting nervous. The distractions that inflict upon your intentions can change the outcome, sometimes in a positive or negative way. As I've stated many times, when getting frustrated or scared with what's happening now, take a step back and look at the bigger picture. You have so much to look forward in life, and you as a human are capable of so much. Just think, you basically are made out of the same things as celebrities, or renown philosophers. The only difference is they might just work harder, or think differently. If you have a "dream" or goal you want to reach, there are so many resources you can use to obtain it. Maybe, the only thing you're missing right now is time. And trust me there's lots of that. Don't get discouraged or lose hope just because your goal can't be reached right now. Keep working on it, and never lose sight of what you want to become, because the easiest way to fail is to stop trying.

Human Perception

I believe this world is composed upon a bunch of different perceptions. Religion, culture, and sciences are just a bunch of different thoughts agreed on by a group of people. No one was there when the world was created. People have the freedom to think whatever they want about the world, but whether they share their thoughts and feelings with others, now that’s a whole different battle. Humans as a species learned languages in order to convey ideas and messages to the members of their groups. In the past, works were written on the amazing thoughts that simple people founded. Others would admire their creative and assertive thinking to their natural world. However as time progressed and scientific thinking became challenged by opposing forces such as religion and anti-evolutionary activists, these creative thinkers felt threatened. Threatened by the majority that criticized their ideas. And just imagine if these thinkers became threatened to an extent which caused them not to think, and just to conform. The world that we know today, and the population that has grown in it have all been exposed to the differences of human thinking. It is what creates diversity amongst us, and allows people to develop personal beliefs and opinions on things. Change and growth like this is healthy for us, and is not to be frowned upon. It doesn’t matter if someone is Mormon, or lesbian, or vegan. It’s a personal choice. Unless the person or group pressures you to join their way of thinking, or threatens your safety or rights as a human, accepting their ways of thinking and moving on with your life is key, for we are all the same on the inside, and we’re all going to end up the same way. 

The Best Aspect of Life

People ask me if I'm ok. The question of "what's wrong?" seems to be weaved into daily conversations now. The answer always seems to be the same too. "nothing". It's not that there are problems. Other people have problems. There are starving people, homeless people, dying people. They have bigger problems then I could ever experience. You could say I just have "minor bumps in the road". Homework, acne, stress. Those are the types of things that can ruin a day or make you sad. And it's not that your always sad. Sometimes you just feel tired and done. Done with trying to make it feel better and make yourself look happy. On the inside, you just don't want to deal with it. Everyone has those days. It's an unavoidable part of life. Basically, things will happen and you'll cry or feel bad about yourself, but in the end, it is you that will decide how to deal with these things. Would you get mad over a breakup or fight? Or would you take a step back before getting worked up and look at the bright side. Wether you like it or not, everything has two sides, like a coin. You have heads, which is what everyone sees. And you have tails, which is always there but sometimes ignored. Whatever you're going through can be viewed as a positive versus a negative. It can benefit your life and make it better rather than ruining your day and making you sad. It can depend on wether the positive outweighs the negative, but overall it's important to look at how the event can shape your life. Nothing lasts forever, except time itself, which has to end at some point. A hardship now can't control your life forever. Just remember to take a step back and view the whole picture, because there is always a flip side to whatever situation, and there is always a better aspect of life.

Why I'm Buddhist

This topic has come up in many of my daily conversations, and because of the misleading conceptions and ideas, I decided I would take the time to explain why I'm Buddhist. I grew up in a non-religious household, so I never went to church and never read the Bible or anything, but as I grew older, I started talking to my friends and classmates about their religions and asking them questions. As I started developing opinions of my own, I came to the consensus that an idea of "God" was something I did not whole-heartedly agree with. I've always been one to question theories and unproved beliefs. Without evidence of something, I couldn't understand how someone could love and trust an unseen being. Also, the posed question, "What happens after death?", made me think. As some would say, you go to heaven. Others would say hell. I believe however, that you get reincarnated, which means your soul goes into another life. It gets either set in a higher or lower caste, or "position". Eventually, you will become the highest being and reach Enlightenment, which will mean you are at complete peace with your soul. Now some people ask if I meditate and wear robes, but that is not the case. I do sometimes clear my mind and sit, but I do not go to a temple and sit and hum. For this, you could consider me a fake Buddhist, as I have been called before, but you have to understand that I simply do not live like that. I admit, I'm not a 100% devoted Buddhist, but I do believe in some basic principles. Live simply, and be nice and respectful. I offer no disrespect to other religions, as I accept everyone for who they are. People have the right to believe whatever they want. We are all humans. We have the same insides. The great thing about us though, is we have a brain that helps us make important decisions on how to live our lives. We can choose to live however we want. I accept everyone for who they are, and what they believe, and I'm just asking for that in return.

2014 - A New Chapter

Now I know the title of this may sound like the stereotypical "new year, new me" rant, but I wanted to write about the changes I want to see happen in my life this coming year. That's my resolution. Not a specific "eat healthy" or "lose weight" because those come and go constantly. I wanted a resolution I could keep in mind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I decided on a simple phrase: make better choices. This could apply to all aspects in life. Whether it be an apple or ice cream for a snack, or go to the movies or bowling, I just want myself to look at my choices in perspective to the rest of my life and whether it will benefit me in the long run. 2014 holds many opportunities for me. I want to make sure I make the most of this year, and have no regrets. Live everyday to the fullest and make sure I'm doing what I really want to do. Peer pressures can have a significant impact on the way we think and behave, and I need to remind myself that it's my life, and I have the overall decision on how to live it. People that don't respect that don't need to be apart of it. 2014 also provides an opportunity for fixing our mistakes. It's simply a blank canvas to create whatever we want. You can create a new image for yourself. Maybe dress nicer, or listen to people more. It's completely fine to use this turning of the year to start over. As I wrote a few posts ago, the past is the past. There's no changing that. However, you can change the future. If you are unhappy with the way people view you now, change it. It's never too late to get up and fix things. I want to make sure that this year is exactly how I make it to be. Drama, fights, and obstacles may occur, and I will be forced to overcome them, but that's all a significant part of life. It's important to keep in mind that no matter how tough life can seem, there's always a tomorrow, and everyday is a new blank canvas. Make the most out of it. That's how I want to live my life in 2014.