Pause

So often we find ourselves caught up in the tangles of conformity and trapped by the walls of what is considered to be socially acceptable. We find ourselves lusting over unnecessary accessories that are being shoved down our throats by advertisements and the media. We begin to hardly even notice the corruption and manipulation that is constantly pulsating throughout our lives and fueling the society we live in. We get caught up in it. We become blinded by it. We become part of it. We start to worry about how much battery our iPhones have left, or if our favorite pair of pants are clean. We get upset that the grocery store is out of our favorite ice cream. We get mad at our closest friends for the smallest of things. These are trivial things, petty things; but we are all guilty of this. Every single one of us; you, me, him, and she. Every single one of us are victims of human nature. But it is now, when you are just starting to get lost in all of this, in every lie and fib society has you believing, in every unnecessary desire and illogical concern, it is now, before you are in too deep, that you just need to stop, step back, and take a moment. Just, 

Pause.

What are you doing? You're unhappy, but for what? Because you have to wake up early? Because you can't get tickets for a concert? Because you can't find the movie you want on netflix? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? Reflect. Reconsider. Remember what you have. And just, 

Pause.

You are beautiful. The life you live is beautiful. The world we are part of is beautiful. Remember this, appreciate this. What are you complaining about? What can you complain about? How can you be so unhappy when flowers exist, when mountains rise far above the earth, when the ocean tide sweeps in and out every day? How can you be upset when trees tower in the forests, when the sun rises each day, when the moon rises each night? How can you question happiness, joy, beauty, anything when love exists? You can't, as long as you remember these things. As long as you take the time to pull yourself away from the corrupt smog of society, and breath some fresh air.  Take a long look at your life. Take a long look at the world. You have so much to be happy about. You have so much to be thankful for. Think of the people in your life. Think of the people who mean the most. Can you really, truly be unhappy when they are there for you; with you? Can you really complain when that much affection and understanding exists within you and around you? Think of the beauty that surrounds you. Think of the the earth we inhabit. Can you really be unhappy when something so incredible, so unimaginable, so magical is our home? Can you complain when there are mountains and trees and oceans and rivers there to greet us every morning? Think of music; think of art. Can you really be unhappy when something original, something beautiful, something unique can be created with the pluck of a string, the stroke of a brush, a burst of imagination? How can you even begin to question happiness when love exists? It doesn't matter if you do not have it right there in front of you. The mere fact that love is a feeling, a state of existence, that is attainable, that is possible, that is out there... that should be enough to keep the light in your eyes for all of the time you can keep air in your lungs. With all of this in existence, friends, nature, art, love, with all of this, how can you possibly find something truly worth complaining about? Realize what you have, realize the happiness that you can achieve, but do not take it for granted. Do not get so caught up in it that you don't realize the other side of reality; the dark side of the moon. Before you get too carried away in your own fortune, in your own life's beauty; you need to sit back, reflect, take a moment, and just, 

Pause.

Don't ever forget how beautiful you are; how beautiful your life is. But also never forget that there is adversity out there. People suffer every day. People struggle every day. There is genocide. Murder. Theft. Torture. Hunger. Poverty. There is so much to worry about, to fix, to cure. There are so many people who lead such difficult lives. Don't ever forget this.

Don't ever forget about the reality of the world.

Don't ever forget how truly lucky you are.

Don't ever forget to be thankful for what you have. 

And don't ever forget to share your happiness with those who may not have found that beauty in their lives yet. 

Next time you find yourself upset, concerned, or angry  just take a moment to Pause. Think about it. Think about love. Think about nature. Think about music. Think about art. Think about everything you have and how lucky you are. Think about how much beauty exists in the world. And think about the people in the world who may not be as fortunate as you. This world doesn't necessarily just need people to invent, discover, and explore. They need people like you, like me, people who can be truly happy, people who can change the world with the very positivity, ambition, and love that every person should strive for. 

You are capable of happiness. You are capable of love. Don't pass that opportunity up because of societies definition of happiness.

Don't believe their definition.

Don't believe them.

Find happiness in the things that cannot be defined.

Pause.

And define happiness for yourself.