Social Vortex

    

     Are you happy? No, are you truly happy? Can you tell someone one thing that made you fill up with excitement everyday. . . even when your day was the worst day on this planet? Can you find a speck of hope? 

     So many of us are captured by the attention of social media. It's obvious and there's no denying this fact. This isn't a new case in the making for breaking news. Its quite well-known. The cause of this is because our specific species (homosapians) is too afraid of one thing other species do not care about or even have knowledge of. Time! We are the only species to have fear of time running out. 

     Social media has only adapted our lives in a way that we no longer can have our moment. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and so many other social apps have enable us to share every living second with the world. We no longer know the true value of time. Instead of appreciating it (time) we have the biggest fear of it. 

     Earth revolves around the Internet in today's society. That one moment that you could share only with that special someone is now streamed by millions over social media. Why can't that specific moment be your moment? Who said it was anyone else's to claim? Yet, we've evolved into this solution that it's hard not to post these cherished moments of ours. It's not for envy or jealousy. . . it's simply a custom we've created. 

     Last night I decided to go outside for awhile. I began listening to iTunes Radio and my phone died. Honestly I didn't even feel like charging my phone — it was all the way upstairs and it was just too much at the time. So as the minutes progressed, I happened to look up at the sky. I live in the country so not many lights are able to distort the stars from one's vision. They are in plain view, burning ever so brightly. This particular night was astonishing. The sky's hue faded from a light indigo to a dark violet; the stars being as incandescent as ever, forming constellations I know not. 

     I couldn't shake this scenery, so I layed down in the field of grass and just observed the sky. We all see it everyday. Whether it's raining or storming or even shining brightly to light the world around us, it's always constant. Really, it's the only constant thing in our lives. But in this very moment I establish a memory in my life. It was perfect! The first thing I reached for was my phone to snap a photo and post it to share with the world, but my phone was dead. It had totally escaped my thought because it is so common for us to use our devices that practically rule our lives. This moment, this memory was mine! 

     We've easily extinguished the priceless moments in our lives. That one moment to share for the rest of your life; that one moment that people wish they were there to witness; that one moment that makes everything around you feel perfectly timed and in order. Those are the moments we are suppose to strive for. Every moment of your life is not for the world. It's for you and those there with you. Those moments are yours! No one can steal those from you. . . unless you allow them to. 

     Then I spotted an airplane thousands and thousands of feet above me. I waved to the passengers although they would never know this. They would never know i exsisted; they wouldn't see my wave of greetings; they wouldn't even know there was a house that I would sleep in that night.  Flying directly above me at extreme speeds, onto the next adventure in their lives. Would they, too, be sucked into the vortex of social media? Or would they allow the precious moments of life simmer inside them and only them? 

     You must understand this: I'm not saying don't post things on social networks, but limit them. Let your distant family see how you're doing and update them, but don't allow yourself to forget to enjoy every moment, as much as possible! 

     Then, the thought of the plane crashing on top myself made me shutter. Would I be content with my life choices thus far. Granted, that would be an epic way to pass, but would I be okay with dying in that very instant? 

     Life is 90% about situations or problems that occur, while the other 10% is how you manage and deal with these occurrences. Your choices determine your character. Do what you love but know that you can only make your descisions. Don't let someone influence you because, ultimately, you are the yes or the no. 

     Remember to continue to carry yourself with self-love and self-respect. Don't degrade your lifestyle to common society customs. Allow yourself the pleasures of life itself — without time being the concerning factor. 

Perceptions of a Somebody

"You're fat. You're ugly. You're gay. You're worthless. All you ever do is mess things up." The list could go on and on with what people may have said to you. But from this moment forward let's take Lysol and some rags and wash the lies off!  

     People's perception is different from one individual to the next. That's why we are different. But one of the worst things you can do is get wrapped up in their lies. The point from when you began to believe their lies and judgement is when you loose all sense of self. 

     Society has a power to control other's lives. The major trends, the popular looks, the music that is taking over — it is all based on majority rule. What about that one speck of opinion lost in space? No one cares about it. But that's alright. One day someone will. It's better to have one person truly appreciate you than to go by society "rules" and views. 

     Everyday people are confronted by others. Whether it be in a positive or negative way, we are confronted. Posts of social networks, from the clothes we wear — we are always searching for comfort and acceptance. It never fails. 

     Let's change some things. How does that sound? Don't allow someone to tell you what's right or wrong. Do what pleases you. The only way someone can appreciate someone's time is to acknowledge and love their own company. You may feel lonely but you are finding who you really are. What are your loves, your pet-peeves and what really brings you happiness. Who said we needed someone to be happy. 

     Don't worry about what your peers or elders think. Ultimately, you know the real you. You are the only one who can decide upon decisions in your life. It's funny how we are literally brain-washed to talk a certain way, walk that way, dress this way, and understand what's acceptable in public. Who made these rules? They didn't just apperate from thin air! So who's to say they are right? They aren't right; that person just wasn't ashamed or afraid to say, "Hey, you're not allowed to go nude in public!" From that moment on he began to have people agree and appreciate his opinion.

     You're not fat: you simply like to eat. Or maybe that's not even the case! Many times its genetic; it just happens when you try your hardest to stay in control. Embrace it and just understand your body. Learn to love you. Respect that your body is that way. 

     You're not ugly: you just don't appeal to some people. . . Which is normal. Last time I checked not everyone likes someone. Learn to know what makes you beautiful and display that. Love yourself! 

     And for God's sake, NO ONE is worthless. Obviously we are here on Earth and we don't necessarily have to make our mark, but we can contribute to the world. The watch you just bought helped someone's life out because they are getting their needs meet. The peson who bought a burger from McDonalds is keeping someone's job open because of no one bought their burgers, then that company would shut down.

     So no you may not leave your mark on the world. And sometimes that better than leaving one. Some people are only remembered by a handful of individuals. But those specific people, more than likely, had their lives changed for the better. You may have inspired them. 

     Personally, as long as I inspire or save one person in my lifetime, I can honestly say I have lived! Perception is a tricky thing that we are forced to live with. Don't let someone change you or your view on things. You are you! You are important! Always carry yourself with self-love and self-respect! 

Importance of Family

Family is very important to me personally. They are the ones who have witnessed you at your worst and watched you blossom into the extraordinary human-being you are today. No two families are alike in any way. Yes, you and a friend may both have grandmothers that can cook amazingly well, but one grandmother may have a different view on life than the other. One father may have more experience in life with painting while the other dad has more experience with plumbing. 

My family in specific is very deranged and different. It's hard at times to deal with some of my family members. Some put on a front over social media and act completely different in person. 

With that being said, people don't really understand your personal struggle with family. The only way to deal with them is always try to be the bigger person. Learn what works for you. 

Speaking of my experience: my mother and I have never seen eye-to-eye. She states it's because we are just alike. I am her son, regardless, so I know I'll have some characteristics from her, but I do not and will never believe I'm exactly identical to her. 

Then there's that small fraction of your family who are "normal". I say normal with quotation marks around them because, as we know, no family is perfect or normal. But there are those families who manage with one another. You will always have issues with family. The way you deal with and face the issue(s) is the biggest picture. 

Some may find that speaking with a family member every five months is what works best for them. If that's so, continue to do so. If our have to talk to them every week, do that as well. 

Every family is dysfunctionally functional!

That's kind of the magical horror of it all. As a family we learn, naturally and with practice, how to manage amongst one another. You may never ever see eye-to-eye. And that's okay. As long as you respect that person and they do the same in return, that's what is important. 

Family is tricky and lovable but do not allow them to bring you down. Once they see you are doing the best you can and focusing on yourself to succeed, they will either embrace and respect that or stay to themselves. If that's the case, learn to manage with that. 

Of course, many are going to disagree with this, which is okay. You are entitled to ever opinion you hold within. But family is love; family is hardship; family is annoying and aggravating; family is family!