Too often we hesitate in life. We’re presented with opportunities or ideas that we’re too afraid to grasp. What makes us so afraid of these chances? I’ve asked myself this time and again. The answer isn’t clear but the problem is.

We need to take these chances, the ones that arise without explanation. After all, they’re fleeting. Only the good things in life escape us. Embracing these moments can only present us with more opportunities. Living without taking risks leaves a sense of unfulfillment in my opinion. How many times in life have you asked yourself why you didn’t do this or why you didn’t do that? Now imagine actually taking those risks or not hesitating. How would your life be different?

I was struck with a notion.

We don’t know our purpose. We make presumptions of what life is, but nobody knows. Many claim, but few come forth with answers and even then we’re all skeptics. It’s a mystery, but a mystery that nobody truly appreciates.

Each and every one of us goes through this robotic ambience day in and day out. This consists of work, social life (or not), and sleep. Rinse and repeat this process. It’s an endless repetition that’s so very sad. I believe we’ve lost touch with ourselves and what it means to be human.

Instead of “watching” others live their lives on T.V. and wishing you could be someone else, just do it! So many people go through life only regretting what they never tried to achieve or opportunities they never took. Learn from these people! Do the exact opposite because apparently they made the wrong decisions if they’re now regretting it. Take a stand and push forward even if it’s hard. A barrier is bound to break. You’ll be acknowledged for your bravery and courage. Failure is not a part of my vocabulary and so I believe it shouldn’t be in yours. Failure to me means an opportunity to learn, that is all. Tap into your inner child, life was all about making mistakes but it taught you and made you wiser. You weren’t afraid then, why be afraid now? The world might have been perceived as smaller but realize that it actually wasn’t. It has always been the same. Only now your opportunities are much greater.

Take it all in. Take in everything that surrounds you, most importantly the little things. Acknowledge the simple breeze that rolls over your skin’s surface and notice the goosebumps it creates. Look up at the stars at night and remind yourself that you’re apart of it all, whether it be a grand scheme or some random occurrence. You’re here for one reason or another and it’s okay if you don’t know why. Meaning is what you make of it, so create yourself.

Our lives are all wonderful and even if you may not see it that way, I bet I can find someone who does. Now go be alive. Go on and truly live.

But that’s my issue. It resides in the steady decline of any risk factors in life. We no longer rely on any instincts or intuition.

For example:

My imagination would take me on a roller coaster through wildly overgrown forests with rays of sunlight slightly piercing through the canopy. I’d take endless walks on trails that had been strewn with leaves through these unknown territories. Sometimes I’d hear the distant howling of a wolf. I’d often come to a stop as a slight gust of wind rustled the leaves in front of me which in turn would create a loop of Autumn colors for a split second that disappeared into the vast wilderness beyond the boundaries of the trail.

Everyone had that go-to place as a child. It never failed to act as a sanctuary when things were too complicated. Some of us still have that place. But what I’m getting at is that I think everyone still should. Our minds are wonderful havens when needed and the stress that comes with responsibility and growing up can drive a person mad. At times it’s unbearable.

Think back to when you were an innocent child. Try to remember what you daydreamed about. Was it that crush you had on the boy or girl that sat a few seats from you in 2nd grade? Maybe it was the yearning to get home and drop your book bag so you could still take advantage of the daylight and play with friends outside. Or could it have been some special sanctuary where time stood still and not even the sky was the limit.

Daydreaming is a form of meditation. It’s a way to set your mind free, to let it loose. Allow it to breathe. Your mind suffocates under all the pressures of adulthood and lists of endless chores. Let it go out and play. As a child, recess was apart of your schooldays too. Why not allow your mind to venture out into its own playground once a day even if it’s only for 5-10 minutes?

Be yourself. There are 6.5 billion people in this world. Why would you try to mirror someone else? Because it’s easier? Is it truly easier to be something/someone that’s unnaturally you? That’s preposterous to say the least.

Today in this day and age, the average human life expectancy is 66 years. This comes out to be 24,090 days. Take that into account. Soak it up. We all have ONLY 24,090 days to live. That doesn’t sound too much does it? That’s because it isn’t.

So ignore those people who snicker at you for doing the things you do and being the way you are. You should be the one snickering because for some odd reason, they can’t figure out who the hell they are.

Be different and be yourself. It’s what’s going to make you stick out like a sore thumb amongst those 6.5 billion people and you’ll be remembered.

I’ll begin by asking you to remember or imagine a friend of yours. This friend, although a good person, is a downer. He/she is always depressed and feeling sorry for them-self . They nag… a great deal. Sometimes it’s almost unbearable but deep down you know this person is great. He or she is a wonderful human being if only they could realize it. But they don’t. No matter what you say or do, they will not rise out of their slump. Day in and day out they may text or call only to tell you about their problems…

To further complicate the situation, your frustration grows. It’s tiring to constantly hear these negative thoughts and feelings. You wish you could help. A part of them latches onto your brain so you’re slightly pre-occupied while doing things. This begins to affect your work or schooling. It comes to a point where you almost want to tell your friend to get ahold of them-self  and change their reality. For goodness sake, you’d help if they would just stop!

I think we’ve all had such a friend, past or present. It’s a roller coaster of emotions for you and for them. It’s time to switch it up.

Now I’d like you to imagine people you gravitate towards. The people with whom you want to associate with and be around most often. They inspire you make you want to be the best you can be (this is not an Army advertisement, keep reading).

Regardless of who this individual is, there are certain aspects of him or her that you simply cannot get enough of. I know that everyone has seen/met/is friends with someone like this. Now you’re probably wondering what it is about them that sets them apart from the rest. Why do you gravitate towards this person?

Positivity. Positivity is what it boils down to. Your negative friend(s) brought about feelings associated with negativity and the complete polar opposite comes with a positive person and so you’re attracted. Think about it. Think about every person you love to be with and spend time with. What kind of mood are they always in? What type of person are they? What do they bring forth from your relationship? How do they make you feel? The root to all these questions are positivity.

What’s the point of all of this? I’m opening your eyes. Think positive even if it’s hard. Your life will have so much more meaning and you’ll influence others around you. You’ll become a lightbulb in the dark. Others will gravitate towards you. You’ll be the inspiration you seek. Try it, you’ve got nothing to lose.

Some simple exercises include:

• Smile. I can’t tell you how many times a simple smile by a random person has brightened my day.
• Relate. Empathize with people and then turn their outlook into a positive solution. Make the best out of a situation.
• Imagine. Think about how you want your life to be. Even if it’s 10 years from now. Even if it’s tomorrow. Do it.
• Write. Write down on a piece of paper your most influential qualities. Why are you worthy? What makes you special? Write 3-5 words that describe you, intelligent, funny, resourceful…etc. Now tape this piece of paper on a door you use every single day and read it to yourself everyday until you believe it.
• Disregard. Disregard negative thoughts or insults that are directed towards you. These people are unhappy with their lives and that’s their way of venting. They want to drag people into their abyss. Misery loves company.

Now go out and be the light of a situation or the inspiration for others. Try these methods for just a week and I promise your life will have greater meaning not only to you, but to the people you come in contact with. Their lives will change for the better simply because you’re in it.

Now that you’ve come to the conclusion that there really is no need for you to be this absorbed in yourself, take a look around. I can assure you that nobody is giving a damn about you. They are just as pre-occupied in themselves as you were before your little reality check. Or, if there’s not a single soul near you, notice just how conditioned you are to this sort of behavior. Try this a few times a day; it will relieve you of unnecessary stress and your day will without a doubt progress in a much more positive manner.

Take this exercise and try to continuously go through your day relaxed. Just like you took control of your body, you do so in life.

But now I’ve moved on. There’s just something about WordPress. I think it’s the freedom that attracts me to it. I don’t know, I just can’t explain so I’ll leave it be.

Onto the good stuff though. I won’t bore you with useless facts about who I am and what I’ll be doing. Basically… I know I’m a writer. I’ve known from a very young age and therefore need to, in some way, share it with the world. This will be it. Expect nothing less of perfection because in regards to writing, I expect nothing less of myself. I hope you thoroughly enjoy and drop by from time to time. After all, I’m just a glimpse of the world, a glimpse that will coax you to open your eyes wider. I promise.