Beliefs

I sat with my grandparents this weekend, 'arguing' about several things. I prefer the term debate, because I feel as if arguing is hostile while debate is not. I must say, they dislike it, but I find it to be a lovely way to spend my weekend- as long as they're not attacking me for my opinions. (-mumbles about being called a radical and how I'm far from the very definition of a radical-)

On to the point.

She said something, that has truly gotten both my nerves grinding because she felt this way about me, and has gotten me thinking about somethings. She told me that I have to believe in something, that everyone has to have something to believe in for their drive. She also told me that I can't believe in everything, which is something that it is far from the truth of what I do. I am quite sad that she had such a perception about me, but she had been drinking at the time.

Though...she did have a point. What is a human being that doesn't believe in...something? Now, keep in mind- I'm not meaning solely religiously. I'm meaning it in every sense of the word. What would a human being be if they didn't believe in science, if they didn't believe in other people, if they didn't believe in animals? What would be their driving force in this world? Could they even be considered a person with how much they'd be doubting in everything around them? Surely, they wouldn't go on to do much in their life.

Personally, I have a lot of causes and other things that I believe in. I believe in keeping our constitutional right to guns, I believe in gay marriage, I believe in helping those that are less fortunate than me, and I do have a religion. There are many things that I don't believe in, I don't believe in abortion- but I do believe in the woman's right to choose. I don't believe in pointless killing, nor do I believe in mind altering substances- but I do not condemn their use as long as it's legal. I don't believe that there is a single right way to do anything, but rather many different ways.

The point of stating all of that is, I know what I believe in and what I don't. This might not be obvious to her, and this might not be obvious to anyone. I try my best to look on, not only both, but all sides of what is going on. In the things I say, it might seem as if I'm taking all the sides and can't choose my own side, but I promise you- I know which side that I fall in. Grant it, in some situations, I will fall in the middle. I consider myself a Moderate Independent when it comes to politics, but I know that an Independent candidate will likely never take office. The result? I know that once I can vote, I will have to vote for Republican or Democrat if I want my vote to really do anything other than sit in the 'other' category. So, I will likely swing my votes when I do go to vote.

This has gotten me thinking about what I believe in, and to really define which side of the line that I stand on. Perhaps I should define the line just a bit more- especially for those who do not see life like I see it. However, I wanted to create this post not to reflect on what I believe in but rather to ask a question. That question is this:

What do you believe in?

As I stated earlier, this doesn't have to be religious. This could very simply be your standpoint on issues in the world today, your moral compass and such.

Now, I might be a radical- I don't feel like I am but I'm positive I am to others that I would no doubt consider a radical myself, but I do know one thing that I stand for. One thing that I believe in, completely and utterly. People, no matter their race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, ect, should all be viewed not for those things, but as people. As people, their should be given the same opportunity, but only if they're willing to put the work required in for it. Sadly? I feel like we're still a ways off from that belief of mine, as a society here in America.

The Less Fortunate

Growing up, I knew that I was poor.

Seriously, I knew from a very young age that I wasn't living in the best off family and there's no lying about that. My family was making great money when I was really young, but they...didn't know how to manage it. I'll put it that way. However, as time went on- those fantastic jobs were quit and lost in the end. Where does that leave my family now?

We're not in the best area. We rent a half-rotting house that's too small for the size of our family. The town we live in has drugs galore, highly racist, and within the first year of living there- a pipe bomb was set off just down the street from me. It's a slum, essentially, and I'm aware of that. A very small slum, sure, but still. Hell, my family calls our Landlady the slum Lord...which she is.

The thing of it is though...I always knew that there was someone worse off than me. In many cases, this is what has got me through my life without that entire 'poor me' attitude. Do I get that way sometimes? Of course I do, that's just human nature but once I remember that I'm not the first person to go through this, once I realize and remember that there are people out there without a roof over their head, I know that my life isn't so bad. As rude as that may seem to people.

I recently read this comment online, stating that people enjoy feeling superior to others- and by helping the poor, they feel superior. In some ways, if you enjoy this way of thinking, you could think that I feel superior because I'm not in that situation. The way that I look at it, is quite different in the end. Every time I think of someone in a worse position than me, I shut up. Seriously, I shut up all my whining and crying and wonder what in the hell made me think that I even had the right to cry about something so silly.

I wasn't hungry. I wasn't suffering. I wasn't being beaten or abused. I wasn't really in the position that I should think that I had anything to even be upset about. I was upset because I didn't have the greatest out there- and that's selfish in my eyes. It's selfish to be upset merely because you don't have something when you should be happy that you have anything at all.

In many ways, this shapes my entire outlook on life. I strive to not be my definition of selfish, I strive to not be selfish. Which, in many cases, I refuse to be. Grant it, sometimes, I'll do something selfish or I'll take something that I don't really need because it's offered. Even then, I know that I shouldn't take too much because it's something that the person could be using on themselves.

That's just how I am. I won't even stop to bother with my own emotional problems when someone else is going through something, because I know that sometimes- you just need that shoulder to cry on. However, I won't take a shoulder to cry on, because of my feelings of not wanting to burden someone with something.

In this day and age, I see a lot of people claiming that this generation is selfish. 'Give me more, give me more' types of people that are apparently being raised. Which in many cases? This is what it is. I won't deny that and I'd be insane if I even tried to. After all, it can't be denied when you see a 7 year old walking around with an iPhone but whining because he didn't get the toy that he wanted, right? I know I see someone spoiled right then and there.

Even despite how I am, my parents call me a 'Selfish little brat'. So who knows, maybe I am. Everyone has a good outlook on themselves when talking about themselves. Everyone loves to boast, brag, and make themselves look good. I'm not even aware if I'm doing it unconsciously at the moment- but I'm beginning to get off the subject and make this more about myself than getting to the point. I don't know if that's selfish or self-centered to tell the truth. lol

The problem with today's society is that the child with that phone? He's not even bothering to think of those who do not have such things. Grant it, he likely doesn't have the concept of the less fortunate in his mind yet, but based on his selfishness right then and there- he likely won't ever have that concept in his head based on parenting that's going on today. Children live on the streets and children live in homes, both innocent without control of their surroundings but one will always have a harsher time in their life.

Today, I read and watched a heart warming video on Yahoo News. It was about how a man inspired his children to found a charity organization that helps the homeless. I'll link the article at the end of this post. Reading through that article, it made me think about how I live. No job because I live in the middle of no where. Relying on my mother, the sole worker of my family, to support a family of five. Two teenage girls, one growing boy, a father who stays at home, plays video games and drinks, and herself. Oh! And a dog. Currently, we have nothing to spare for those around us, and I feel guilty for that. I truly feel guilty that I'm not helping out more- even though I financially can't do so...but there's other ways that I can.

That story has inspired me, quite a bit actually. Around my town, there's a lot of trash- right? Why am I sitting around instead of making our town a better place simply by picking it up? In the next town over, there's homeless people that could be helped simply with a five dollar bill- not that much money at all. If I strive to be so 'selfless' and focus less on myself than others, why am I just sitting around and keeping everything I own close to my chest when I could be helping others. Bring in cans at the canned food drives- or at least ramen or something.

So what I'm trying to say here, is very simply this:

We can't sit here and continue to ignore the problems of the world and care about ourselves.

I'm guilty of it too. I'm going to strive to change that, so that I can make a difference in the lives of others like those few people that have helped me and my family out through the years. I can't thank them enough for it either.

The Link:
How one Dad inspires teenagers to make 33,000 burritos for the Homeless

Natural Living

Many of us in today's society are living a consumer based lifestyle. Buy, buy, buy. That's all we really do this days, isn't it? In fact, our economy can't even survive without buying more and more. With today's current economy though...people are finding it harder and harder to live more 'natural' lives, aren't we?

After all, look at the food they're selling us. Are you going to go for that $1 dollar box of mac and cheese or are you going to go for that bag of apples that cost three bucks and won't satisfy you one damn bit? I bet most of us would go for the mac and cheese. I'll admit, that's exactly what I'm grabbing for if I'm buying for dinner. I'm a major cheapskate and I'm proud of that fact. However, I don't think that my body is thanking me too much for this sort of lifestyle. Can you truly blame me? Can you truly blame anyone for living this lifestyle though?

Cost of living has gone up. Plain and simple, we need the cheap choices and that's what we're getting. Cheap. Cheap. Cheap. What do these cheap things contain though? Chemicals. Preservatives. Nasty shit you don't want on you body, in your body, or anywhere near you and your family. That's for sure. We suck it up though. We buy the cheap stuff that we can afford, which is generally mass produced things that you can find anywhere really. One issue: That's not what our bodies crave and need.

Why is it that our more natural, healthy options are so pricey then? Simple: They're not mass produced. They can't be in many cases. Those natural fruits and vegetables would never make the trip over to your local supermarket because they don't have the preservatives to make it that long. Those have to be local in many situations. That's why I don't see any organic mangoes sitting around in my local Walmart or Krogers. Those lovely natural shampoos with all those expensive oils and extracts in them- the oils can't be produced so heavily.

(Not to mention the little tiny idea from those conspiracy theorists that claim that they're trying to control the population by pumping these chemicals into us. That these chemicals are the true cause of all the recent cancers. Just throwing that out there.)

As for beauty products- do you know how much damage they're selling to you? Some makeup still contains lead. Did you even realize that makeup ingredients are the least regulated of all things with the FDA? Meaning, they could be putting a ton of crap and chemicals in there that you don't want near your face because of the harmful effects- but it doesn't matter. There's nothing to be done about it. Hair products. Facial products. Makeup. Don't even get me started on the animal testing.

So, what is the normal person to do to live a more healthy lifestyle without killing their pockets?

Look for cheaper options to the things that they buy. Don't sit there and listen to everyone saying that you should buy this, this, or this. There's so many things that you can make and do on your own to cut costs so much easier and live healthier. Below, I'll discuss a few of ideas with everyone:


Drop the Shampoo and Conditioner.
Seriously. Drop it. Don't even buy it.

You're probably looking at me like I'm some crazy maniac here trying to make you all disgusting freaks. I'm not, seriously, I promise. There are better methods than using shampoo on your hair- methods that make your hair healthier than those shampoo's ever could. Ever heard of the Egg method? It conditions your hair. Or how about the No 'Poo method? It uses baking soda and water to wash your hair. Or what about making your own?

Shampoo's and conditioners use harmful chemicals to strip your hair of all it natural oils (which they're there for a reason), and then replace it with their own 'moisturizers' that can possibly damage your hair. Most even  use detergents in their shampoo. Doesn't seem too healthy to me. In fact, shampoos have been thought to actually be the cause of why some women's hair gets so oily so quickly. Your hair is trying to help itself by mass producing oil to replace it. Therefore, your hair is oily and nasty the next day, so you wash it again. You shouldn't have to and it simply damages your hair when it's already being damaged enough, women.

These methods don't always work for everyone, but that's definitely what I've switched too. I am done paying $7 for a small thing of '80% Natural' shampoo.


Facial Cleansers, lip scrubs, face masks? Drop 'em.
Yes, yes, I know. I'm sounding like a crackpot.

In all seriousness, there are other ways to go about this too. Without the animal testing (Hello people, Olay tests on animals.) There are much cheaper solutions online that can provide similar results, all homemade and rather cheap as well. I love how the sugar/water face mask/scrub (I consider it a mask, they list it as a scrub) makes my face feel and my face looks so clean and clear afterward. Abeit, slightly sticky if I don't manage to wash it off right.

The best part? They don't contain chemicals and you know exactly what they contain, so therefore there aren't any allergic reactions, there aren't any harsh things being put on your face either. Don't go on believing that chemicals make things cleaner than anything natural can, because trust me, chemicals aren't suppose to be put on your body for your skin to absorb. Just doesn't seem healthy to me.


Floor Cleaners? Yeah...those can be swapped too.
A lot of people actually completely swear off things for the carpet. Steam cleaning with- get this, just water. Or water and vinegar, some people even like to put lemon juice in it for the smell.

I know that this one sounds unsanitary, but it's truly not. If you run water through it a few times, it should get your floor perfectly clean, just without the harsh chemicals. One things for sure, after giving my own home a chemical bath a few days ago? I haven't stopped having a headache since. I was practically forced into giving it a chemical bath too. My mother and her chemical loving ways. Hurts my head, messes with my sinuses, and just messes me up in general.

If you must use some form of soap on it- I've heard that running it through with a water and dish soap mixture once and then just water for a second round works as well.


Air Fresheners too...
Now this one? I stand by firmly.

Smell comes from particles of whatever substance it's coming from floating in the air. So if you have a problem with a lingering smell? I'd double check the house, get a fan, and clean the carpet thoroughly because this won't 'eliminate' anything. However, I can promise you that it will leave a nice scent through a clean house. All you need is some vinegar, water, and essential oil and you're good to go!

Besides, do you know how many things that the chemicals in those air fresheners that are bought in stores are linked to? Allergies, eye irritation, and even developmental issues and reproductive problems! I don't want that shit around me. Do you?

Chemicals are bad news.


In all honesty, there is so much out there that you can use as an alternative- some can be more expensive but the vast majority are cheaper in many cases. It depends on how intricate you want to get with it. lol I know that since I've switched to the the baking soda method, it's saved my family quite a few bucks. No more special shampoos for my picky hair and no more using up their shampoo on mine. Considering I have the longest hair in the house, that makes a huge difference.

So, what's my point here? Simple:

Don't always buy blindly- when cheaper, healthier options are available.

Possibility and Impossibility

I've thought about these terms a lot in my life time, after all- they're terms that tend to pop up often enough.

I like to think of myself as a very subjective thinking, so everything can change base on the circumstances, no? So, thinking in the realm of Possibility and Impossibility, where are the boundaries between them? Are they even there?

Many people use to say that a man couldn't fly, but man built planes. Now we can fly. There is also a popular expression around where I live- when pigs fly. "Yeah right, I'll believe that when I see a pig fly." Thinking about these two terms, one could say that it is impossible for a pig to fly. I, however, say that it's completely and utterly possible for a pig to fly. After all, I'm positive there's been at least one pig on a plane before. lol

In all seriousness though, I realize that they're referring to a pig flying as in flying on it's own without any help of a machine. This, however, becomes more complicated in the realm of possibility and impossibility. How could a pig ever physically fly? Well...a hell of a lot of science and biology. Things way beyond me. Regardless, in my mind, it could still happen. Whoever bothers to put enough time, energy, and money into creating such a creature is a fool in my mind, but with future technology- are you honestly telling me that there's no possible way for it to happen?

In this world, humanity has always been trying to push the boundary of possibility. Who is to say that one day, we couldn't created such a pig that was able to fly? It is in the future, beyond us, as a possibility that could grace this earth. Grant it, it is a silly example and a silly thing to bother trying to bring to life, but it is still an example that proves my point. Hopefully.

So, thinking of things in such a manner, what is truly impossible? Let's look into a few things that my family has attempted to convince me as an 'impossibility.'

They've told me that there's no way that I could make a living as simply a writer in my future. Grant it, it will be difficult and I'll need a fan base for that to happen. It will require work, talent, skill, and just the right people to manage to help me pull it off- but it's been done before. So therefore, it is not impossible. Especially considering they've never read my writing before.

They've told me that it's impossible for me to be able to get a job- largely because they claim that if they're unable to get a job, I won't be able to. I find this to be dead wrong, because in the end- it's probably more likely for me to be able to get a job over them. Why is that? I'm young, strong, and able-bodied. And I'm cheap by the standards of most jobs around here. I won't be paid as much, but as a minor, I'd still get paid.

What of the 'impossibilities' of others?

It's impossible for you to go to a University.

No matter what your limitations are, it's not impossible. Money is simply paper, it can be saved up. Though you may be struggling, remember that every country wants educated workers and there's likely aid out there if you look for it.

It's impossible for me to quit my job.

It's very possible, just hard for you to get a replacement.

Many 'impossibilities' of this world are merely excuses. Though it may seem impossible in your current situation, things may always be possible in the future. Just remember one thing- if anything from this entire post.

Anything is Possible.

Uncertainty

Uncertainty

We all deal with this demon, don't we?

We're unsure of something, we don't know if we should do this or that, we're uncertain of the future or anything that our lives will hold for us. It's just how everything works. Everyone has always been uncertain at one point in their lives, and this uncertainty can sometimes prevent people from moving forward. It prevents us from taking that dreaded leap that would eventually lead us to where we were trying to go. We merely are uncertain if that leap is the right choice, or if that leap will truly take us to where we want to be going.

It's natural to be uncertain, that much is obvious. Otherwise, we wouldn't be uncertain at all. :) However, we are because we are thinking creatures who always place doubt in ourselves. We fail to realize our limitations in most situations, so we either cut ourselves short or we overestimate ourselves. A 'responsible' person usually undercuts themselves and never does anything wild or interesting with their life. The 'irresponsible' person is usually the opposite...unless they're the couch potato- but each to their own.

I've personally dealt with uncertainty many times in my life. I've been unsure if my choices were the right choices, unsure of what is the right course of action or what people want me to do (people being my parents.) It can lead to disaster and I know that very well, but sadly? I haven't done anything with my life as a result. I've never been what people like to call 'young.' Too responsible (ha), too considerate, too much of my life has been inside my head and sometimes, I wonder if being so unsure of myself is something bad or something good.

Tonight is one such night. I have been sitting awake for hours, simply thinking of choices and leaps that I'm unsure of taking and I'm now looking back on what's happened in my life and wonder if I've done the right thing.

I'm not the perfect child, I'm far from it- but the majority of my choices have always been in the favor of others. What they felt was best, and what usually benefited others in the end. Why? Because I'm a people-pleaser and I was too unsure of myself to go for what I really wanted, so I followed.

Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of confidence. It's simply the fact that I don't have confidence in the world around me. Something might be full proof. I go to college, get a job in business, and live out the rest of my days on the pay check of an accountant and hate my life. That's the general plan- except throwing in my dreams. However, what I feel is uncertain, is the idea that I even get a job in accounting. Why? I'll tell you.

Nothing in this world is certain.

So, as I lay here in bed, typing this- I begin to realize something. It doesn't matter what choices I've made or what choices I will make. I simply have to start going for things- no matter the uncertainty that lies behind them. If I don't, life will never be great and life will always be dull because I went with the safest possibility- or the possibility other felt was safest for me.

I encourage everyone to realize this too. Nothing is ever certain in life- so go with your instinct and follow it. Don't hide and cower in uncertainty, because it will always be there- no matter what route you choose to follow. Take a chance and roll with it.

Rain

Rain, what does it signify to you?

To many people around my area, it is a gloomy day where you stay in and sleep. Everything is wet. Everything is nasty. Everything is 'yucky.' Nobody likes rain around here, and that's a fact. The worst part of rain in these parts? Driving in it. Animals, deer, slick roads, hard to see, and hazards galore. There isn't a very good outlook on it here, obviously.

As a non-driving citizen of America, I thankfully get the pleasure of avoiding these dangers. Then again, I hardly look at rain as 'dangerous'. Out of the many people in my area, I am one of the few that absolutely adores rain. People call be crazy for that fact, and maybe I am but my outlook on it differs their's almost in every single way possible. How might you ask? Simple.

1. It allows the world to grow.
Uhm, hello? Common Sense calling, it seems as if you've missed my past hundred calls, so I'll just leave another message. Rain is water and water is the natural thing that all living things need in order to grow, live, and mature. Yeah, some of you might not like water- I know I hate tap water, but it's something even a human needs. If any of you smartasses go off and say 'I don't care about things living and I don't drink water!'. Yeah, well, news flash honey, trees need water. Without trees, there wouldn't be any air. No air? You're suffocating, buddy. You don't drink water? Well, neither do I- I use it in cooking, it's in my foods, and those drinks that don't taste like water but are actually just corn syrup, dye, chemicals, and flavoring pumped into water.

Getting off of my sarcastic soap box, rain is important to everything in life- just as much as the sun is. Besides, who doesn't want that nice corn stalk to grow up big and tall so we can have some nice corn on the cob?...Wow, I really can't wait until summer when corn's in season, can I?

2. The colors
I don't know about everyone else, but I love how rain makes everything look. The dreary look of rain in a city, it looks like something right out of a movie. The look of rain in the rural areas is flat out gorgeous. Everything is this vibrant shade of green and everything simply seems so alive. Who cares about getting a little wet? Our skin is water-proof and being out in the rain is natural.

So few people dare to see the beauty where it isn't normally seen. I know for fact that if my mother looked outside, she would groan and refuse to do anything outside. She'll refuse to let me outside too, even though I'm seventeen, doesn't matter if I bundle up with a rain coat and boots either! Hmp. There is nothing stopping you from having a good day if it's raining! It just might be a bit wetter and muddier.

3. The smell

Have you ever truly stopped to smell what rain smells like? Not many people can actually smell it, and I doubt it's as noticeable in the city as it is in the country, but rain smells sweet and clean. I love the smell of rain and it's moisture. It's just lovely to me and many could disagree with me, but that's how I feel about it at least.

4. The Sleep
I don't know about you, but when it's raining lightly outside and I'm listening to the pitter-patter of rain against my window, I sleep better. It's something about the moisture in the air, the drop in temperature, the sounds, it all just comforts me. That's another reason why a rainy day is a lazy day around here, you tend to get the most sleep when it's raining...don't lie. I'm not meaning thunderstorms here, people.

5. The Life
Look around outside after it rains, I'm serious. If you live near any natural place, just take a look around. Is it muddy? Sure. However, everything seems to be revived. The animals are coming out again as the sun comes back to play. The birds are flying, the grass has seemingly grown twice as fast (sad for the gardener, but hey, it just gives him more work. More work=more pay.), it's all pretty and everything.


So...what's my point?

Don't be so damn negative.

Don't look at the world's natural functions of rejuvenation and growth like it's a plague. Find beauty in things, even if they hinder human activities. So many people spend their time sitting and brooding about things that are perfectly beautiful in the world, but I'll tell you something- that rain? It's perfectly natural. We're not. With our fancy cars, our silly electronics, our clothes, we're unnatural as hell. So take in the beauty of what is natural, don't hate it. 

...And don't call the person out there dancing in it insane. They're just happy, possibly happier than you. 

This article can apply for so much more than rain, but I have purposefully left this out. This article can be taken in one of two ways, my dear friends- the 'rainy days' we all have, or literal rain. It's up for you to decide. Just remember, don't be so damn negative on that rainy day that life tosses you. Life goes on and rain could make life better. 

Life and Dreams

As we all grow older, we begin to realize that our dreams of what our lives would be almost never come true and we almost never end up in the place that we thought that we would.

I might not be to that point yet, but I know that things have been coming and coming fast. I find myself lost up in the world around me, class assignment after assignment, attempting to juggle my hobbies and my friends, having a boyfriend and family to attend to. It's a lot of work already. The thing of it is though? I'm young and it's my duty to learn how to manage it. The question of it all is, what am I going to do as I get older?

Had you asked me this question when I was younger, you would have found that my passion for animals overruled everything. I wanted to be a vet, I wanted to be a zoo keeper, anything that kept me close in touch with animals...Until I realized being a vet wouldn't work because I couldn't stand the sight of animals in pain, and a zoo keeper wouldn't work because I am too jumpy. Had you asked me this question merely last year, I would have very bluntly told you that I was going to become a best-selling author and I wouldn't stop until I made it happen. Now? I'm not too sure what I want to do anymore.

My birthday has just come around the corner, bringing in another year of school and classes. I have to start looking for colleges this summer, start gathering scholarships and looking into various types of grants that might help me pay may way through a higher education. The very worst part of it is, is trying to figure out what I'm even going in for. In my future, I see so many things laid out before me that I could do and possibly do well. My love of English and writing is still strong in my life, (having taken six English classes in three years of High school proves that) yet, I'm not sure that's all I want to do with my life. It's no secret that writers normally don't make it big. Most writers have to have outside jobs as well as their writing career, so looking into other fields to fall back on will secure my future, right?

The issue is, what should I go into? I have a love of the human mind and mentally helping others, that's no secret for anyone around me. I am the shoulder to cry on and I am the listening ear, I am the advise giver. Could psychology be seen in my future...? After all, I am taking a class on it next year and I already passed sociology. Then, what of my dream of owning my own store? Shall that go down the tube? A business career could be in my future as well. I don't even want to get into my possibly futures in the religious path I follow.

So what do I choose?

Today, while I was doing dishes, I realized something. Why do I even have to choose? If these things are all who I am, all of these things are things I want to do, why should I have to pick between them? Any of them? The idea that I have to confine myself to this little group of one or two choices is ridiculous because in life, I can be whatever I want to be. I'm not going to limit what I want to be based on the realism of the choices, what would give me the most money or the most security in my life. I'm going to plow full steam ahead and do what I want to in my life.

This might not be the 'smartest' or most 'responsible' choice, but why not? It's my choice and trying to limit things down, it just makes me unhappy. Isn't the general goal of life to be happy? So that's what I am going to do. Pave my own way, my own name, and my own life to what is hopefully happiness. I don't need a definite label to define me. I don't need to be be 'Sam the Author' or 'Sam the Teacher' or 'Sam the Business owner', what's wrong with 'Sam the person who does whatever the fuck they wanna do?'

What I'm trying to say, is don't feel like you have to choose between the things you love in life and don't force yourself into something that makes you unhappy. All my life, I have refused paths in this life that I know would make me unhappy. No one can make you do them. As for the smartasses out there? Yes. You do have to go to school. lol That's an amazing  privilege, trust me. Doesn't matter if that makes you unhappy, because it will make you very happy when it's over.

In my future, I plan to be something amazing. I might fail, but that won't stop me from trying. Like I always tell myself- I'm not the best writer, but that's not going to stop me from becoming an amazing one.