The ambience of the room is gloomy and grim. There is a can of cheap beer resting in your hand and a greasy, undercooked burger plopped on your lap as you slouch into the couch. Your partner is slumped into a deep, empty doze. Multiple “BREAKING NEWS” headlines flash across the vibrant television screen, causing your eyes to squint. Yes, another juvenile arrest, an overdose of Mary Jane, a terrorist attack. There is a buzz within the creases of the cushions. You sigh a heavy sigh before you struggle to find your phone. It emits a blinding light that makes you grunt in pain. Nothing seems new as you swipe through your feeds, Facebook, a face full of drama, Twitter, and high pitch comments. Staring straight back into the television, tear gas continues to burn, fast food chains still plead for money. Then it clicks.

This is reality. No matter how exaggerated disheartening headlines may be or how many “likes” a pity video has, the underlying stories exist and they are all too real. So much hate being injected into so many lives and so much abuse being implanted onto our bodies fills our own heads with loss. Our loved ones are being degraded because of what’s happening in our country. Strangers who are the most innocent of humans are being destroyed across the globe. Our world, our environment is being torn into shreds.

It may seem too good to be true to realize you are abusing yourself. I know that I am. Every day. I overeat food that won’t digest properly. I plant myself in my room as I watch too many videos. I beat myself up for not being the social butterfly I long to be because of my self-doubt and ideas of worthlessness. But I’m doing my best to save myself, to heal my scars, to cleanse my soul. To avoid negativity and to promote positive vibes. Our hearts are pleading for love. Self-love and humanitarian understanding.

Our bodies and minds have become addicted to accepting the harsh destruction of life and freedom. All over the world, we are obsessed with promoting it through social media, technology, and human contact. The pure nature of our being, which believe it or not, is a part that still exists, has had enough. Our souls are screaming within us as the outside pressures are crushing them. We look to our hearts for refuge, for self-love, to spread love. Our hearts are pleading to love, but will we let them?

How willing are you to give your heart another chance? A chance to love again, to be happy again, to do what it does best? I’m ready. I’m ready to untie the knots, break the chains, and cut the chords that are locking my heart in the prison of solitude. I’m ready to allow my heart to uplift other people and myself. I’m ready to enter positive comments or an alternative view if the post is something I don’t agree with. I’m ready to take care of myself again. To nurture my spirits and to love my image. I’m ready to really hug my mom again. I’m ready to really make my dad feel appreciated again. I’m ready to love again. And my heart says thank you.