Ted Talk link

https://youtu.be/SJnbA9GSOWw

A Strange(r) Journey

You know how growing up we're always told to never talk to strangers?
Well for this project, that's exactly what I did.

I've never gone out to intentionally converse with a stranger... do we ever?
But sometimes that's just how it goes.
Every single one of us were once strangers at one point or another; look at us now.
There's best friends, relationships as well as a mutual love and respect that was formed, all unintentionally.
But as hard as it may have been, especially for me, I went out with the sole intention of listening and connecting with one I've never met.
I mean who doesn't love a good story; a real living, breathing story.
Personally, I pine for them in being that sometimes it's just nice to escape your own world and enter into another's just for a bit; to get lost. As uncomfortable as it may be, it directly leads to the growth of character as well as the shifting of lenses in which we view the world.
There's growth to be made every time a new story is revealed, even if that means sharing our own personal stories with another (because we all know, that almost everyone's favorite person to talk about is indeed them self), we never know how important a few unfiltered words could mean to a person.

Connections were created and cherished throughout this journey. The immense amount of stories given and received all had this overarching appreciation for life despite the heartaches, which makes it all the more beautiful. When each individuals battles were conquered, they were able to cherish the experience in coming out stronger than before. Because, the defining moments of being torn down for the sole purpose of being built back up wasn't frowned upon, it was embraced.

Peter, 49
Seemingly having it all growing up, the life he possessed was solely based off of appearance.
The truth can be hard to swallow, especially in this case because looking in all that's seen is a big beautiful house in La Jolla, a privileged family featuring the mother whom models and a career started at the mere age of six.
Looks can truly be deceiving. The reality of his life was that it was turmoil from the beginning.
There were the parents whom while never there, off abusing their alcoholism, consistently pressured the growing tennis career their son faced. From the age of 6 to collegian level it was always them; living out their days. This pressure became overwhelming, especially at the peak when he was faced with a career ending injury. And while it was never his choice to begin with, he was faced with the powerful sense of guilt and remorse of letting the parents expectations down.
This was only the beginning.
At the age of 33, the first taste of alcohol was taken brought on by his fathers death. Which would mark the beginning to a 13 year drinking career. Losing virtually everything in two week period, all the privilege he had known growing up dispersed into the shadows. And now would it be, the true value of a dollar was known.
In the more recent spectrum, 2013, he was faced with a DUI which would (almost) bring back the life he had lost. The help needed for two years was received, endless rehab.
Up until his mother passed away in 2015, which although the was never close with either parents, was harder than losing his father.
The lack of direction was part to blame throughout his life, but now two years later his story is that of a success in his terms.
Because now, his life has been built back up and is in school to become a drug and alcohol counselor, to help others whom faced hardships like his.
With his newfound faith to serve as a guide, he has found something in the nothing he used to be considered.

The thriving society

How does one expect to love another, wholeheartedly, if they cannot grant that love towards their own self?
My one true wish for society is to one day have every strong, powerful individual embody self love; we're all worth more than the pity we bestow amongst ourselves.
And while a seemingly simple concept to wish for, it's consistently plagued by our toughest critic, who just so happens to compare thyself to every face that passes.

How could we all be so blind as to crave a long lasting love, when we cannot grant the gift to the one whom deserves it the most: ourself.
We're a flawed species to say the least, but it's to be cherished. To be further explored rather than tucked away. Because our flaws just so happen to be our quirks. It's time to embrace them (aka you).

The light resides within us all.
Go out and find it, then may the love you think you deserve be fully accepted and reciprocated.
It's time to cherish every moment and be your unapologetic self, the one whom was brought into this world to thrive.

[ just don't want you to feeling anything less than worthy ]

Somehow to blame

Being blamed for everything wrong in her life; all there is to remember is that you can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved.

[ how to avoid being chewed up and spit out, but the desire to believe continues to overwhelm me ]

Seventeen

17 lessons learned in my 17 years on this earth:
1: NEVER mistake lust for love.
2: Words matter, but so do ones actions.
3: You're worth more than your worst mistake.
4: Live free of the baggage of regrets, for they have made you grow.
5: TRAVEL. TRAVEL. TRAVEL.
6: Don't close your eyes to the beauty that surrounds.
7: Yea, people care; you're not alone.
8: The world is NOT going to stop spinning. Life goes on.
9: Please, for the love of all good, leave your toxic relationship behind.
10: Those 'low-low's' will balance out with the 'high-high's', don't you worry.
11: Write your own story.
12: NEVER mistake kindness for weakness.
13: You never know what actually goes on behind closed doors, despite what you've heard.
14: Take the time to appreciate how far you've come.
15: Embrace the change of tomorrow, for while it may not feel like much, day by day everything changes.
16: A deserving, desirable soul you are. Never forget it.
17: You're only 17. All these years have just been a taste to what comes next.

[ oh how life passes so fast, I can't believe I'm already seventeen ]

because you let go

because...

the fact that you'd acknowledge the existence of a human as solely a pair of breasts rather than a person

yet after that slim period of talking directly towards those breasts, you're shocked at the realization that the words uttered from pursed lips are in fact meaningful 

you didn't know me - and in fact didn't want to- for how could one care if all they're faced with is the bare skin of an individual 

the individual who seemingly has no worth, values or morals; when in reality they're the strongest one they know, but it's all just circumstantial 

just like the circumstantial moments that appear not to matter, when in fact they do 

because it's the moment when you lean me back, looking through, underneath the light of a thousand stars. claiming to want to know more 

but more is less, isn't it?

because you and I both know more isn't what you're looking for

and if you knew more, you'd feel that careful sting;after all you were always going to leave 

[ you let go after all... if only you said you wouldn't, because im still here ]

The Passing Drive

1:53pm; Passing by those struggling, holding up the cardboard signs depicting something along the lines of:
"homeless ____. anything will help"
"hungry and homeless, please help"
"will work for food"
or even the occasional:
"I just need a beer"

Have you ever truly stopped- putting yourself in their shoes? How it must be to wake up on the streets every morning... to go stand underneath the grueling sun for hours on end, in the same pair of jeans and t shirt you wore yesterday... on top of not knowing when your next meal might be.
Because these are the same issues many face on a daily basis.
Yet we're all so quick to judge, because in order to be placed in such an agonizing position: they must've done something wrong. Right?
But none of us have actually
a. Been in their shoes (if they have any).
b. Had to beg for a living.
c. Know the story.

Because most of us, admittance or not, have all grown up with some sort of privilege. Whether that be having a roof over your head or being able to stay 'updated' with all the new trends.

However, I call to challenge us privileged (the odds are if you're reading this- it's on some sort of screen thus equivalent to some sort of privilege) to get up, stand up and go outside to beg. Be vulnerable.  See just how 'willing' people are... then go (if you're lucky enough to be granted any) use those funds for good, towards the ones who need it most. We could all spare an hour, two, or even 15 minutes.
Just take a second, halt those fallen moments and stop.

...Or at least be considerate while passing...

[ "Own it" inspired]

Can't Handle This: a conversation

1:39pm; a conversation featuring the mind and C.O.
Living within the middle of a memory, each moment slowly passing frame by frame. I can't handle this right now... I just want to stay true to myself.
But he went down, fortifying the one place he doesn't belong; my heart.
Thus the vicious cycle continues, with my mental/physical health rapidly declining as it goes.
Repeating those words, over and over. You always did know how to use that mou-
C.O: "Amanda?"
         "I have some life advice for you... don't let anyone take you for granted"

She knew. Deep down she always knew; the blinded half, the one in which others aren't allowed to see, the soul crushing problems life so gracefully challenges us with in which the fallen moments effortlessly continue.

Not a moment had passed in settling for the simple yet meaningful response of "Thank you." as I wish it gives her everything I can't myself.

[ https://youtu.be/rYy0o-J0x20 ~ Bo Burnham inspired ]

Dedications

This goes to the ones with souls like mine; caring, compassionate, captivated.
This goes to the ones whom constantly embrace the world; living with open hands.
This goes to the ones truly experiencing; may the heart aches never halt the light inside.