I have been told, more than once, that I am wise beyond my years. It has always interested me when people say that because I like to think of myself as an average nineteen-year-old. Despite what some say, I have an old soul and a kind heart, and somehow that has separated me from many of my peers - or maybe it is the fact that I don’t talk about what I’m thinking because I am one of those people who just expect people to know how I’m feeling. I’ve come to find out that it is not that simple. Life is not that easy, and in order for me to get some of my thoughts out, I turn to writing. So, here I go…

One of the things I think about constantly is the meaning of life. Everyone has a different perception of life, and it interests me how differently people think. One of my favorite quotes about life is from an article that I read a few years ago in the Huffington Post by Hamaro Cantu. It goes like this: “The significance of the cherry blossom tree in the Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. In their country, the cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It is a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful, but that it is also tragically short. When the cherry blossom trees bloom for a short amount of time each year in brilliant force, they serve as a visual reminder of how precious and how precarious life is.”

Like the cherry blossom tree, we are also here for a shorter amount of time than we all think. Everyone wanted to grow up when they were younger. I see all of the posts on social media regarding this on a daily basis. Why do you regret it? That’s what you wanted, no? Perhaps it is the reality that has set in that you are an adult that scares you. What technically makes you an adult though? Ages aside, are any of us adults? What is your definition of an adult? Living on your own? Your parents are no longer under the same roof as you? Getting married? Starting your own family? Watching your kids grow up? Retiring? All of those are adult things, and they will eventually happen to all of us in due time, maybe not, or maybe not in that particular order, but one of them will eventually happen before your life is up, but don’t ever wish to grow older. You will get there eventually, embrace your youth and do exhilarating things. You were put on this Earth to do amazing things, to be that brilliant force like the one of the cherry blossom tree. Do not let anyone run your dreams dry. Make a name for yourself, and whatever the force may be, do not be ashamed to let it shine. If more people would only stop for a moment to observe the atmosphere around them, if they could take a moment to embrace the gifts that were so graciously bestowed upon them, if they let themselves be that brilliant force, perhaps the world and all its colors would be taken for what it's really worth.