A Perspective On Teenagers
Quotes from: Stephen Marche
*I found Marche’s work to have a very unique and interesting perspective on teenagers. These are some of the pieces that stood out to me!
Teenagers are icons of purity in a corrupt adult world
Their only redemption is in the love they preserve against the despair everywhere around them
Beautiful not despite their absurdities but because of it
They are beautiful because they do not fit. They’re too much themselves and not enough
But actually they interpret us
In a way they are being denied adolescence
Teenagers grow up, develop a sense of humor, get married, have kids, move to the suburbs, and become boring.
A suburban life of blandness and boredom kills them before they’re even dead
“Life is fragile. We’re not guaranteed a tomorrow so give it everything you’ve got.”-Tim Cook
The Beauty Of Living
“It’s no wonder that we sometimes cannot hear any ‘thunder’ in our life.”
-a wise soul
Life itself is so much bigger than our own narrow view can see.
We are often so preoccupied with the daily routines of life that we don’t take the time to actually stop and appreciate it. People are often overwhelmed by the pain and suffering that exists in their own life and in the world around them that they distance themselves from reality. They associate it with only pain: broken relationships, unsatisfying jobs, divides in families, war, poverty. But this life is just what we’re stuck with, so we have to seek out the good. Life’s a process; it involves change and growth, making mistakes, wasting time, being disappointed. We sometimes miss things the first time around. However, if we would just take a deeper look at reality and really look at our life goals, we might get a better sense of ourselves. In turn, that will help us find the signs of hope amidst our struggles. It might help people see the wonders of life rather than just the pain.
We don’t even look up to see the sheer beauty of life.
Everything Wrong With The Standard Of Perfection
Today we live in a society that does not take good as being good enough. You have to be perfect. However, you can’t be perfect in just one part of your life; you have to conquer many skills in order to really be perfect.
But perfection is an impossible standard; it is an expectation that is simply impossible to reach. Nevertheless, it is constantly expected of us.
Chasing perfection actually causes people to achieve less than those who have realistic standards.
On the other hand, excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer. The foundation of lasting self-confidence and self-esteem is excellence. “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”―Confucius. It is working towards being your best self; not a perfect self.
Yet, most of us don’t even reach this greatness; and the reason is because we hold ourselves back. Really it’s from the fear of not being perfect. We are so afraid of making mistakes, being vulnerable, and showing others our brokenness.
One week you can be on top of the world, and the next you could be at the very bottom of it- but that’s just life.
Sometimes your best self isn’t really that spectacular to others. But your greatness will always be different than another’s- so try not to worry too much.
You’ll never have everything figured out, even if you’re living your best life! Although some might disagree, happiness should be a priority, even if its not considered ‘crucial’ in the minds of society.
Really what’s the point in living a life that you’re not happy with?
Sometimes you have no choice, and you can’t really change things. But, if you can then go for it! Don’t let fear and society’s opinion hold you back. If you find happiness grasp it and hold it tight, don’t let anyone make you let it go.
Conclusion:
Stop striving for perfection because you’ll never be perfect- and that’s okay. Also, consider reevaluating a relationship if you feel that is what’s constantly being expected of you:))
Why Striving For Happiness Is Not Selfish
article by: Jennifer Lachs, Huff Post
Hands up if you like cheesy quotes! Something along the lines of “Happiness never goes out of style,” or “Don’t worry, be happy.” They sound and look great on posters, mugs and Pinterest walls, and are usually about passions, following your dreams or doing what makes you happy.
But who really follows their advice? Who actually turns their life upside down to strive for happiness above all else? Reading and sharing these quotes on Facebook is fine, but actually following their message would be crazy, right? Wouldn’t that be completely selfish?
Sadly, for many of us, happiness has been pushed down the priorities list. It’s more important to be sensible, have a good career, and keep up with the Joneses. Happiness has become a luxury reserved for vacations or kids.
After all, kids are allowed to be happy, and they’re supposed to be. Most parents want nothing more for their kids than to find their dream jobs, dream partners and to live long and happy lives. However, most adults wouldn’t describe themselves or their lives as particularly happy. So where did our childhood dreams go astray? At what point did happiness stop being a priority, the ultimate goal even, and become something seen as selfish?
For many of us, it starts going downhill when we start choosing our career path. When kids are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they pick fun jobs, like a ballerina, fireman, or astronaut. Most parents would be horrified if their three-year-old announced their ambition to be an accountant or analyst. But, somewhere between elementary school and high-school graduation, the focus shifts from what makes us happy, to doing the grown-up thing.
Following your passions won’t pay the bills, so pick a sensible major, pursue a stable, well-paid career (no matter how boring), get a mortgage and save for retirement. All before you’re even legally allowed to order a beer. Happiness just gets lost along the way.
Which well-respected accountant with a family would leave his stable job to pursue a career as a magician? What single mom would take her kids out of school for a year to travel the world? It’s easy to see why adults feel guilty for deciding to follow their dreams; for putting happiness first. People like the accountant-turned-magician and globetrotting mom are often condemned as irresponsible. We are programmed to put safety and stability first – wouldn’t only selfish people value their own happiness more.
Quotes From Mother Teresa
M.T. ❤
Maybe not the hunger for a piece of bread, but there is a terrible hunger for love
Nakedness is the loss of human dignity, the loss of respect, the loss of that purity which was so beautiful; the loss of that presence, of what is beautiful
There is the feeling of being rejected, being unwanted, having no one to call your own
So much fear, so much pain, so much suffering, so much distress
Love, to be true, must hurt
How beautiful to love each other with a pure heart
There can be so much love, with so much care
If only they had someone to teach them how to love
To shine so as to be a light to others
Bring about a radiating smile on a face which had forgotten to smile
Not with words but in real life
Pretty In Pink; Life
“You can’t make it happen, either it will or it won’t.”
-PIP
“Whether or not you face the future it happens.”
Hope's Corner 