Nobody Pushes Your Buttons Like Family

They say that "A parent is the child's first bully."

I cannot stand parents who treat their children like shit and then have the audacity to demand respect from their children. Respect is earned. Not given. Just because your parents "made you" that doesn't mean you owe them. Parents need to learn how to be the kind of person their child needs, because when a child shows their parents a drawing or something they wrote and their parents just brush it off of their shoulder you create a rift between you and your child. Your child learns that you don't appreciate their work, and eventually they stop trying. If they do something wrong, and you insult them and point their flaws out YOU WILL PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THEM. You are their parent(s). From a child's perspective, they want nothing but your approval. When you knock them down or point out their flaws, it gets in their head. What are they supposed to think of themselves when the person they look up to most, thinks about them that way? Every child is flawed, but pointing that out will not help. My mother often told me to stop eating because "my butt can only get so big." As a result, I struggle with my self image. A lot. I would often "punish" myself by not eating dinner if I had eaten a lot at lunch. Same with lunch (and dinner) if I had a big breakfast. I struggle(d) with self harm because I could not lose the weight I wanted to. I think about the things I'm bad at, more than I think about the positive things. I beat myself up with words more than any bully would. I urge and implore parents everywhere. Be kind to your child, be kinder than you feel at times. I know it's not easy, but think of how it would affect your child in the long run.

Sonder

n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

Public places really make you realize this. Airports, parks, restaurants, schools, even your neighborhood. It is incredible to realize that we're all on this planet together and we all have our own stories. Stories of heartbreak, love, failure, success, sadness, happiness and joy. It's hard to imagine living anybody else's life but yours. For some, it's easy not to care about others. After all, they are just passerby. However, you can't help but wonder what it must be like to be that pretty blonde haired, blue eyed woman walking with the confidence she's carried all her life. Or maybe what it would be like to be that homeless man on the side of the road just struggling to get by. Every single person has their own life. Every. Single. Person. No two lives are exactly the same. So it's a wonder why we don't appreciate each other more.  

As a hobby, I love to draw. It gives me time to think. It's my me time. 

...And then there was you

When you don't necessarily feel sad or happy. You don't feel any emotion, you're just empty. You can feel the pain, but you're numb to it. You're just used to it. It's sad, really. Humans feel this kind of thing. It seems like it will never end. I've always been an optimistic person. Always hoping. I think that hope can either destroy or strengthen you. When hope is crushed you can go down hard, but you can also rise up higher than ever before. It can be your strength, but only if you let it. I believe that it can and will get better. Surround yourself with the kind of people who care about you, who love you, who understand you. Do the things you love. I know that it's the kind of easier said than done, but it will all be about your perspective. Everyone spends a lifetime avoiding death. Everyone wants their own story, their own mark, their own life. I know that I'm young. I still haven't even experienced half of my life expectancy, but I've experienced enough to know that everyone needs someone to care about and someone to care about them. All I want to say is, don't die before you're dead. Everyone deserves to be happy. Everyone deserves a chance. Try not to worry because 'worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.' I don't want to see these sad quotes that all these people can relate to. I think that people deserve bliss. People deserve happiness. It's not fair that the world can rob people blind of their innocence, love, understanding, and care. People shouldn't feel lonely, they shouldn't feel beaten, they shouldn't feel broken. Is what you're thinking about right now making you or breaking you? We all get one chance at this life, make your mark.