Happiness

The bruises and scratches serve to define experiences that are unforgettable. Each imperfection has a story, each scar a painful reminder that life will never be quite the same. Sometimes it's difficult, because everyone else doesn't understand why one would be upset over the imperfections. I used to be very upset whenever I scarred or bruised and would do everything in my power to cover it up until it disappeared. However, I realized this was shallow some time ago.

Whenever one is bruised up by life on the outside, the key is that the growth to repair will come from within. I don't take people quite as seriously as I used to when they talked about physical appearances, although let's face it, I do want to be able to see you've heard of personal hygiene. I truly and honestly care more about your personality.

Let's take a break and define a few key words here. I want to make sure we're all on the same page.
*experience - The wisdom that enables us to recognize an undesirable old acquaintance the folly that we have already embraced. [The Devil's Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce]
*shallow - A person who cannot access the imaginative, creative, understanding, emotional part of their brain. Shallow people are brainwashed by the media, they can't think for themselves. They tend to like Hilary Duff, Britney Spears, and mainstream rap and the little mainstream rock that is played. They serve no purpose to this earth. Their future holds long lines of angry customers that want their hamburger, and the words "we love to see you smile". [www.urbandictionary.com]
*hygiene - The main factor in how close people are willing to stand next to you in any given situation. [www.urbandictionary.com]
*personality - how you act how you think how you look how you feel basically its you inside and out........ [www.urbandicionary.com...okay, so they approved THIS but not the fantastic definition for Phase 10?!?!]

Okay, now that everyone realizes what I'm trying to refer to here, let's move on from the boring stuff. People don't know what they want or what's going to happen tomorrow or even five minutes from now. All we know is that we've got to find a reason to live through each and every day, some sort of purpose.

My friends are in different relationship stages. Some, like myself, are single. Others are dating [happily or not, figure that part out for yourself]. Others are engaged or getting married. Some are married and have a whole happy family to come home to each and every night. Does it seem a bit unfair sometimes? Yes. However, I'm not ready for a family. I'm not even sure I'm ready to commit to another person. Being single does have its perks, yes. Being in a relationship also has its perks.

Much of my college career thus far was spent dating one person. We thought we were in love, we had it all, blah blah blah. However, we grew apart and fortunately realized it before things got any more complicated and have since split. It's been a difficult healing period, since he was there for me through so many of my first steps as an adult away from my family, and I his.

Happiness isn't whether or not you're dating someone. It's not even if your outfit looks great, or if your television show is on tonight. Happiness is the feeling you have when you feel like you've got too much energy to contain, that you can't manage to stay still, and that despite the challenges and controversy that are sure to come your way, you end each day knowing that the next will be fantastic.

So...ask yourselves: are you happy? Do you have a sense of purpose for each and every day, no matter how small or unimportant it may seem? Don't compare what you do with others, for they have their own purposes and reasons behind their actions. Think about what your goals are, and also how you reward yourself for each and every bit of progress along the way. Sometimes, it's difficult for us to accept that we need to be our own biggest cheerleader, and let those friends who want to make a positive impact have their say. Let them cheer you on and be supportive.

Find a song that just makes you sing the lyrics out loud. Preferably something happy, but whatever works for you. Find whatever it is that gets you motivated, and stick with it. Everyone has something great to bring to this world.