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.

Perks of Being a Blogflower

After a week of blogging, I've reached a consensus. This thing is pretty cool. Keeping up with it isn't as hard as I expected, and ideas sort of flow naturally. Trying to post every night is kinda like something to look forward to... it gives me a purpose. I know since I'm on break it's easier to keep up with, and who knows maybe it will carry on to the school year. It's nice getting your thoughts out into the public eye. Plus you don't have to worry about the number of likes you get, or hate comments you'll receive. It's all like a nice diary that I can share with whoever wants to read it. Quick little snippets of my overactive mind. These rants are only part of what's going on inside. But it's cool, you know, being able to talk normally with you all, without a character limit or fan base to watch out for. Nowadays, things like this are nice.

Christmas

Tis the season! The long awaited Christmas day has finally come! Children went to bed with excited dreams about St. Nick and butterflies in their stomach, waiting for the morning when their tree would have mounds of presents underneath waiting to be opened. They sent their lists to the the North Pole, made cookies for Santa and his reindeer, and watched Elf on TV. Their young minds are too naive to realize that their mom and Santa have the same handwriting, wrapping paper, and gift ideas, and they are caught up in the magical world of Christmas. The word alone carries memories of joy, happiness, and love. One can't say it and not get the jitters. However, as we grow, we find our views on Christmas to change. The butterflies don't seem to come anymore on Christmas Eve. We don't find it mandatory to leave the cookies out. We seem to forget the traditions of the past and carry on with our normal lives until Christmas morning. Of course, on the day of we have family and friends over, and the meaning of Christmas seems to appear, but when the presents are unwrapped, and the food is eaten, the spirit seems to die off so quickly. I'm not intending this is a bad thing. We do not live in Christmas Town where people live in joy and peace year round. Our daily lives accept the period of happiness and then move on. It's normal. However, as I grow older, I start to realize the true meaning of Christmas. It's not really about Santa, presents, or even a religious aspect. As time went on, our society has evolved the idea that Christmas could simply be a time where all people, all religions, could come together and be happy with simply each others company. It's not about the color Ugg's you get, or style of Miss Me's. If that were the purpose, it could be like any other day. But no. Christmas is different. Christmas has a meaning. A meaning worth remembering. It's that even if you have no money for presents, no money for plastic decorations, you can still experience the joy created from spending time with family, because that is priceless.

The Little Things

Sometimes in this crazy world, we can get caught up in the superficial aspects of life. We forget to slow down and stop obsessing over our Twitter accounts for a second, and go back to the basics. Just hang out with friends or family, have a regular face-to-face conversation with someone, or be with people you love being around. Nowadays, it's easy to talk to people over iMessage or Kik, but when it comes to asking them a simple question in real life, we freak out. In a world overtaken by technology, it's important to enjoy the little things. This simple phase carries so much meaning, but is unfortunately overlooked. During this holiday season, spend some time with family or just by yourself, and enjoy the little things.

Past, Present, and Future

On August 12, 1999, Bonnie and Mike Doyle welcomed a new baby girl into their family. This daughter, named Molly Jean Doyle, grew up in Modesto, California, with two sisters Elizabeth and Emily. They were ten years older than Molly, but delighted to have a new little sister to dress up and play with. Over the years, Molly became a neighborhood favorite, and melted the hearts of everyone she met. Her curly golden locks and bright blue eyes created the perfect, picturesque, gerber-baby look. Now I'm aware that I'm talking in third-person and might sound quite conceited, but I was a heartbreaker. However over the years, the cute, little, innocent, girl faded away. Maybe a thing called life came down from the sky and took her little mind for himself and left a torn-up teenager. The events we overcome shape us in every way. Those who lost a loved one may have stronger feelings for others than someone who hasn't. The way we carry ourselves in certain situations can develop an image for others to see. The image however, is not set in stone. If you mess up, fix it. There's nothing wrong with taking a step back and starting over. The things we do in our past do not hang on our shoulders and weave themselves into our reputation. If you want to change something, change it. Mistakes we make then, shouldn't hurt us now. Pick yourself up and carry on. Over the few short years I've lived, I've experienced situations that tested me mentally and physically. Advice from friends and family helped me view these situations as life lessons, rather than dramatic events. The more you know, the better you'll be. Breakups, fights, and ignorance can all provide important life lessons that everyone needs to learn from. Our teenage years are meant for mistakes and improvements. It's the time to experiment and explore. Curiosity can take control. I think this is the reason the sweet little Molly from 2002 is not gone, just matured. My opinions and views on the world have grown. Priorities have changed. My personal experiences have shaped my world, and yet I'm thankful for that everyday. I feel bad for kids that are held on a short leash their whole life, and for those who never get to learn and grow for themselves, because that is how we change mentally and physically. Personal development cannot be learned in the classroom, but in the outside world. It cannot be engraved into the mind from parents or instructors. It is learned solely from mistakes that we fix ourselves. I say goodbye to the little Molly, but welcome the new matured version with open arms.