What It Means To Be Alive

By

There is much more to living than having a heartbeat. There is much more to life than breathing and the blood flowing through your veins. But not everyone knows this; not everyone sees it this way. You may be living, but are you alive? You are so lucky to be living on this earth, and there are so many people who do not have the clarity of vision to realize that. I believe there is one thing that separates the people who are living, and the people that are alive. And that is appreciation. It’s the appreciation of what we have been given here on earth. It’s the appreciation of our emotions and the love you can share with everyone and everything around you.

There is a cohesiveness between ourselves and all of the nature that surrounds us. Regardless of what you believe in, when this world was created, it was created to grow and mature, just as you are. From blades of grass and trees to vast, towering mountains – it is all connected, and we are a part of it. And that is a beautiful realization. When you have a chance, stand under a clear night sky and look up. Look around you. Listen to the sounds of nature, and feel the breeze kiss you gently on the cheek. Fill your lungs as you stand under the grandness of the infinite universe above, and think about how beautiful it is to be where you are at that very moment. It is not hard to find this appreciation. But once you forget about everything else in your life you may worry about and allow your surroundings to put you at peace, the surreal appreciation of how beautiful your life is will come gently down on you, and cloak your mind with the magnificence of your being.

This appreciation can be applied to everything in life. I have found that it allows you to hate less, and love more. As I get older, I realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by the people that care for me. I don’t get to see many of these people often. My best friends are thousands of miles away. But I will still love them as much as I do now, for the rest of my life. They accepted me as I accepted them, and together, we formed a family – and that is a beautiful thing. Friendships that are formed by the love and appreciation for one another are the ones that will last forever and more. And it’s up to you to find the people that appreciate you for who you are, what you believe in, and what you pursue in life. If you know that these people, your friends and family, will stand by you no matter what, you can rest easy knowing that you will always have them. These people came in to your life for a reason. They all live their own lives, have their own thoughts, and have different experiences. But out of the billions of people on this planet, they chose to share their love with you, and for you. This circle that is formed between people who might have otherwise been complete strangers is something very special. And you should never, ever let go of that. Don’t be afraid to tell them how much they mean to you, because they might not be there one day. Don’t be afraid to be the person that would do anything for the ones you love.

Living, and being alive, is realizing that you, and everyone else around you, have one thing in common. And that is a heartbeat. You are not the only one who needs to breathe and stay healthy and to be happy. Every single person around you needs the same things to survive and live a happy life. Talk to a stranger, talk to the elderly man sitting alone on the bus. You may end up learning something grand, and making a new friend. Everyone has their own lives to live, and appreciating that fact will make you feel thankful of you own life, resulting in a heightened sense of happiness and love.

Live your life with a love for everything around you. Be appreciative that you get to shower at the end of the day, and know that your bed will be waiting for you to rest for the next sunrise. Do not take for granted the things that you could live without. Be grateful for all of this. Watch the sun set, and wake up to watch it rise. We all only have a limited time on this earth, and it is counted by beauty. But it’s your choice to realize that. Don’t just live to live. Live to be alive, and love what you have. You are here for a reason, along with everything else in your surroundings. When you feel small, look up into a starry sky, and know that you are connected to them. Know that you are meaningful, and that you belong here. You are right where you are supposed to be.