Warning: this post may contain some triggering images.

I won’t lie to you. 

The world is filled with horrible things. 

Death,
 

War,
 

 

Poverty,
 

 

Pain,
 

 

Drugs,
 

 

Addictions,
 

 

Child Abuse,
 

 

Sexual Abuse,
 

 

And people are constantly fighting self-esteem issues 

and eating disorders.
 

 

These are certainly things that I cannot hide from any of you, and don’t intend to for that matter. Millions of people, both men and women battle these very things every single day. Many of you can probably check off one if not most of these as things you have dealt with yourself. Losing someone or multiple people close to you, whether by death or through some other way. Dealing with drugs or witnessing someone else be deteriorated by them. Being the victim of abuse, (sexual, physical, emotional) or having to watch someone else bear this very thing. Having that feeling of not being “good enough” for society, for your friends, for your family. Trying to fit in, attempting to look like everyone else but to no success. Forcing yourself into having an eating disorder in order to be thin. Feeling as if you have no purpose here in this life, but to bring pain to others, or simply not knowing what it is. Using any form of self-injury to release your inadequacy, your pain, or any other “self-hate” feelings. Battling to prove yourself in order to please others. Feeling an overwhelming loneliness, loss of hope, apathy…Not believing that you make a difference to anyone’s life, that your life is worthless. Being overwhelmed by piled emotions stocked away inside of your heart and then exploding. 

If you have ever thought of committing suicide, one of these may have directly impacted you. It is very true that this world abounds with terrible things we prefer not to think of. And for this, all I can say is that I am sorry if you have lived through hardships like these; or worse. However, I can also say that all of the things I have listed are NOT the only things in this world. The world is neither entirely “bad” nor entirely “good.” 

There is beauty out there far beyond what you can imagine, and a lot of it lies in the simple things.
 

Often times, there are things or people that push us down. 

Obstacles that get in our way or reaching our dreams, or goals… 

These things will push you down, and no matter how many times you try to get back up, the keep pushing you down. 

Despite this, stand back up and keep fighting them. 

You will grow weary, tired…your heart will not want to keep using its energy, and you will want to give up. 

But like these flowers, you will conquer. 

This very picture is proof of it. 

Despite the concrete covering the plants, trying to suffocate them… 

They conquered. 

They grew again, through the cracks in the sidewalks.. 

Cracks which they created themselves. 

They didn’t give up. 

This strength that is present in this picture, is present within you as well. You have the heart and the strength to keep going and achieve your dreams. I don’t doubt it for one second. 

When those adults told us that in order to achieve we had to believe, they weren’t lying. Sure, it sounds corny, but it’s true. 

You have to believe that you are capable of anything and EVERYTHING. 

Everything is possible. 
 

 I bet you the people who made the plans to build this wonderful city, 

were told it couldn’t be done. 

A city up around 3,000 meters above sea level? 

Ha, not possible. 

But they believed, didn’t they? 

The city is there now, hundreds of years later isn’t it? 

 

And I bet you that whoever made this magnificent statue, 

was also told that they couldn’t do it. 

That they were too weak, too stupid… 

And yet, they created something wonderful. 

Don’t let fear keep you from doing the things you wish to do. 

Fear of rejection, of failure… You have the power to do amazing things, believe it. 

Truth is, you were put on this Earth with a purpose. To truly do amazing, beautiful things. To make people laugh, to make people smile, to touch their lives. To draw, to sing, to write, to play music, to speak, to listen, to help, to heal, to teach, to learn… Perhaps you have not found your purpose yet, but this does not mean it is nonexistent. 

Sometimes, we forget who we are, or perhaps we never knew who we were in the first place. At times such as these, think of who you want to be, and what you want in life. It’s okay if you can’t answer these questions right away… 

Because a lot of the times, our eyes cannot see what must essentially be seen with our hearts. So, we get lost. We get lost because we try to seek out those answers with our eyes, and eventually lose ourselves in a darkness that never lets us go. When you have come to this point, “rock bottom,” stop to think. 

You are overwhelmed by these feelings of confusion, hurt, anger, frustration, apathy, loneliness… You feel like you have no one, that you are disgusting, and there’s no reason left to live. You cannot see anything but this darkness that has overcome you. At times like these, look up. 

Whether to the clouds,
 

 

or to the stars.
 

 

Even if you feel like you’re falling down, keep looking up. The stars are there. 

They will guide your way back to the sun…I promise. They are your wants, your needs, your goals, your dreams.. Those stars are the things you love, your reasons to keep going. Don’t ever lose sight of them. As long as you keep looking up and reaching for them, you will make your way out of the darkness. 

 

Perhaps, you may not see them. 

Often times, both the sun and the stars are hidden by the clouds.. 

But I promise you that they are there. 

You can trust them. 

Those clouds will not be there forever…They will clear up and you will feel the sunlight beating on your shoulders, or the stars twinkling above you against the sky. 

“Once you have flown, 

you will walk the earth 

with your eyes faced skyward; 

for there you have been, 

there you long to return.” 

I assure you, you will fly. You will soar. Don’t let go if you’re hanging by your last thread… For you have the potential to be someone great… To fly, to reach your dreams. There is honestly no one else exactly like you in this entire world. Similar perhaps, but never the same. You are the only person who can be you, who can bring happiness to others’ lives in your own special way. 

Live and breathe to see the majestic beauty of this world.
 

 

To find a smile out of simple things
 

 

Live for moments like these
 

Where your heart is pounding, and your stomach feels funny and you can’t stop laughing. Remember that there is a time limit. Each time you take one breath, consider that one breath that you are closer to your death. Your heart is like a timer. One day, it will go off and your time on this earth will have come to an end. Don’t turn off that timer yourself, when there is still so much left to see and do.
 

 

I assure you that there will be rainy days,
 

 

but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Dance in the rain, jump fully into your problems, emotions.. Emerge yourself. For that rain will only make you stronger. It will make the sunny days brighter than they have ever been before. 

Embrace love.
 

 

All kinds of love, whether it’s the kissy-romantic kind,
 

 

Or the friendship kind…
 

 

Remember always that you are loved. Perhaps we cannot see how much we mean to others, But you’ll be surprised how many people you have an impact on. There are people who think of you everyday, who love you.. Who can’t imagine what their lives would be without you. Keep in mind that you are not alone. Far from it. There will always be someone there willing to help, willing to hug you, willing to listen to you cry…If only you look for them. 

You are beautiful. Oh yes, probably the most-handed out compliment… But the difference is, I mean it. I honestly and sincerely, with all of my heart, believe that you are beautiful. That you posses a wonderful heart…That you make a difference, not only to me but to others. So keep walking, or crawling if need be. I promise you things get better… And I know most of you don’t like to hear this because you don’t believe it, but just as the seasons change, and just as the sky clears up after a storm…

 

Things will get better. 

So, face the sun. 

Don’t be afraid to reach for your dreams… 

Bloom.
 

 

Whether in the rain or in the sunshine, always look up and dream. 

And remember to be yourself, and only follow what you expect of yourself. 

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