"Appreciate what you have, before it becomes what you had."

When you are growing up, you do things that you don't even realize. You are selfish, naive, and uncaring of the consequences of your actions. The sad part is that most of the time we don't change. We don't stop to examine our actions and decipher the best way to fix them. That's the whole problem with people in today's world. We take everything for granted: people we love, our lifestyle, our rights as human beings. We have all of these wonderful things in our life. Be thankful and take advantage. Being taken for granted isn't something you want to feel.

"Let them sew their oats."

It's a phrase I've heard repeatedly over the years through my mom. As I've grown up and seen the negatives that come along with life, I finally understand what it truly means. Some people don't respect you and what you need. They don't know enough to understand that something is wrong. If they can't comprehend what is right and wrong in difficult times, let them go. You go out of your way to support and love them, but sometimes that isn't enough. Let them have their fun and get what they think they need. Let them toss you to the side, but don't feel ashamed for it. Go live your life without them. You shouldn't stop living just because they push you away for their convenience. It sucks, but that's how they learn. You will still be there, but absent in their times of need. You should never take someone for granted, but that person has left you in the cold when you needed someone. So maybe it's best if they feel that absence. Saying one thing but doing another. Making promises then not keeping them. It's aggravating and makes you angry. They don't notice the blank space in the beginning. They don't see it. The reason why most stick around? Love. You find a form of excitement and stability that keeps you calm. You are living a life you always dreamed about, but some parts are still hazy. On the good days, the laughter and love makes it seem like anything is possible. On those really bad days, it doesn't seem worth it. You see the light at then end of that tunnel in both visions. You know you have a future. You just wonder who will be in that future and why. You wonder if the work needed to create that future will actually be completed. Will you make it work? Will you fight to be a fixture in their life?

There is no fix all for the problems we face emotionally, physically, or spiritually. You have to choose whether you want to face the good and the bad together. Our world today is jumbled with mixed-messages. Our actions are guided by our emotions and our morals. While other's may differ on their path, we all have the same goal in mind. We all want to be loved, successful, and happy. The way to get it? Work tirelessly for it, love all, and stay focused. Thing will work out eventually. If you are taken for granted, perhaps they just don't see all that you bring to the table. We have a right to be happy. Don't let someone bring you down and take that away. When you are having a bad day, know it will get better with your help. You decide whether you are taken for granted. You can leave and be happy all by yourself.