Life is too short to not be optimistic.

It's often that in this day and age we are discouraged by things around us. It's hard not to be when people constantly say things like that our generation is going to have a hard time finding jobs and that everyone is getting fat and lazy and that we practically need PHDs to be successful. It's hard to be optimistic when all the focus in the media are crimes, military coups, murders and starvation. And yes life is hard. There are probably very few people who will tell you "Hey! Life's easy." The wonderful thing is though that life is... well wonderful. And it always seems to take us about 50 years too late to realize it.

One day when I was in Europe I was sitting on the bus and I remembered something really sad. Something that most people, myself included, don't think about on a normal basis. Human trafficking. I was sitting there and I started thinking about all these women, children and even men being sold and abused. I was so overwhelmed by the thought that I couldn't sit still in my seat. I felt useless. I was brought to tears by the thought of numbers in the millions. How can we not see this? How is it so hidden that we go by on a day to day basis without encountering it? I felt guilty, how could I be sitting here on this bus so blessed going through with my day to to day life and have such terrible things be going on.

The point of my story was that I eventually had to push the thoughts out of my head and go on, but it made me realize something. And in a twisted sort of way. I decided to focus on the good things. I'm not naive. I know there are terrible things going on in the world. And I hope one day I can do something to make whatever contribution I can to anything. But there is also a lot of good. Life is too short to not be optimistic. I like to think that humans are innately good. I like to believe that there are still more people out there who strive for a greater good. The world around us is a beautiful place and even on bad days it's nice to have a reminder of some joyful things. So here you are... here are some simple pictures that make me appreciate life.

And best of all this quote...

-M

The Concept of Beauty

There are often times when I think about things and I want to shout them to the world. It's not that I want everyone to believe the way I do, more so I want them to hear me out and just think about the idea...

One of those ideas is the concept of beauty. I know people have heard that we live in a cruel world and that we should accept the way we are. But does anyone really stop and truly grasp that. And naturally as a girl I cannot help but let my mind linger to jealousy and imagining how I wish I was different. I can honestly say that I am my own worst critic. My whole life I have never met up to my own measurements of my idea of beauty. I try not to stay in that mindset for long though because I do not believe in the word ugly. Not for one minute. No one is ugly. It's literally not possible! Because there is nothing to compare to. There is no such thing as perfect either. Everyone is just different. It's as simple as that. The saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder cannot be more on point. What does it matter if you're skin isn't perfect, if your hair isn't blonde or if you are too skinny. Someone will love you!

The concept of being beautiful or handsome is only a picturesque idea that society has created and we've all fall prey to. And social media does not help. Following "fitspo" instagram accounts and scanning photos of people you're envious of, only leads to internal torment. You'll never be that person. It just can't be done. So do not compare yourself to anyone. The only thing you can do is to become the best you. Welcome the way you look with open arms. Treat you body right and be confident and kind.

 I find that there is also no criticism more poisonous than calling someone ugly or unattractive. It's cruel and has no justification behind the term because there is no scale to measure it on. Everyone is at fault in this too. It's only natural. I only wish that people would be more careful with their words and with what they teach their children. If you are judging someone else by appearance just keep it to yourself and move on, someone will find them beautiful/handsome.

To me there is no such thing as ugly people only ugly personalities and colors. 
(I personally hate mustard brown) 
Be healthy, be confident and be a good person.

Just something to think about.

- M

Life Lessons...

So if you know me you'll know that I am a sucker for good quotes, poems, sayings and anything that talks about the beautiful things in life and the lessons we can learn. I discovered, what I guess you could say are lyrics, and I'm sure some of you have heard of it before, it's called Everyone Is Free To Wear Sunscreen by Baz Lurhmann. The amazing thing is... and I didn't plan for this to happen... he is a director and actually directed Great Gatsby which premiered today. Not only did he do the Great Gatsby, he also directed some of my favorite movies Australia, Romeo & Juliet and many more.

So take some time to read this. It's beautiful and could teach everyone a few things.

Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.

The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth.

Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded.

But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way, you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future.

Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.

Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy.

Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.

The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults.

If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.

The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.

Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't.

Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't.

Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.

Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body.

Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it.

It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance - even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions., even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go,
but with a precious few you should hold on.

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. 

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths:

Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old.

And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you.

Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

- M