Post #15 True Love

   

    Well, this is it, Post #15; this will be my last post of this assignment. I've written some good posts, and others, well not so good, but I sure hope that this one will be one of the best. Since this will be my last post and since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I thought about writing today's post about true love. Love, such a small word, only four letters long, yet it has such a big meaning and such a big impact on the lives of many people around the world. Some think that love simply sucks; others think love is something superficial, something inexistent. Then there are those of us that think love is that feeling we get whenever we meet that special someone that will always stay with us in our thoughts and in our hearts for the rest of our lives. All of us have fallen in love at least once or twice in our lives, some don't even realize they are in love until it's just too late, others just never even realize it. I personally believe that true love does in fact exist. I personally believe that there has to be that one person that loves us just as much as we love them. That person that gives us true comfort, that person that makes us happy whenever we might be feeling sad, that person that stays with you no matter what and that person that will do anything to always keep you comfortable and happy and will fight to never to lose your love. We might have many relationships in our lives, or a few, or not at all, but love not only has to come from a special partner, friends and family can also demonstrate us true love by acting loyal and true to us whenever we need them the most.

    Some people think that teenagers nowadays don't really know the meaning of true love; some think that teenagers only think about getting into bed with someone not even knowing their name. This might be true in some, but definitely not all of the cases. Some people think this society has a misconception of love, just by taking a look at the divorce rates skyrocketing, one can infer that true love is something that is slowly disappearing. I personally do believe in true love, I have fallen in love once, and not since then have I looked at another girl the way I look at my girlfriend now. We've been together for just a year. Yes, it isn’t that much time, but I can definitely say that I have never felt this way for another girl. She makes me happy, she's always there whenever I need her, she makes me feel like I'm the best person in the world and she's the reason I always want to be a better person. Some might think that I am too young to really know or understand what love is. Yes it is true, I am still young and my feelings might change overtime as I grow older. Her feelings might change too. Who knows? Maybe five or ten years from now, we might still be together, we might have broken up and gotten back together or we might not even know about each other. All of those things are possible and they are realities that I'll have to face later on, but for now, I can assure you that she has changed my life drastically. She has been my first love, I've had great moments with her, we've cried together, we've argued, we've laughed together, but the most important thing is that she has made my life great and I will always remember her as my first, hopefully only love. We both have our imperfections and we've both made mistakes but only time will help us grow more mature and become better persons with each passing day. For now, what only remains certain is that she will always be remembered by me, and she will always be in my thoughts and in my heart. She will be remembered for all the good times and bad times we've had and hopefully she will be my true love.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S !!!

Post #14 I want a skimboard and a longboard

    Summer's almost right around the corner.  It's gonna be the perfect time to go to the beach, hang out with friends, chill and relax and just have a good time.  It's also going to be time for me to get a new skimboard and a longboard.  Lately I've been really into skimboarding and longboarding and I began to consider them as a real big passion and a great hobbie in my life.  Both are extremely fun to do with friends or family.  No matter your skill level you will definately have lots of fun when you try to ride one of these.  The rush you feel when riding is great and makes you feel completely free, the rush let's you disconnect yourself from all the troubles and issues you might be facing at the time.  Although both are fun sports they could become a little dangerous, that's why it's always recomended to practice both when friends are near, just in case an emergency.  Also, proper cautions must be taken, whenever riding a longboard trying to do tricks or riding really fast it is also recommended to wear safety equipment.  When it comes to skimboarding, the only caution you can have depends on your mentality to stay away from troubling currents or beaches with many rocks or other debris that could damage you or the board.

    Even though there are great risks involved, both sports are extremely fun and they also help you to stay fit and healthy.  The real big downside to all of this is the costs and prices of all of the equipment involved.  Even though they are great hobbies, the boards might be a little to expensive, but that also depends on the quality and the type you are looking for.  My current skimboard cost me 200 dollars, as you can imagine my parents where obviously struck first by the high price, and they said that if I worked hard for it then I could buy it.  So I did, last summer me and my neighbor washed cars around the neighborhood, I was suprised on how much money I made.  I also helped my dad around the house by fixing and repairing things when needed, he also paid me a little.  By the middle of the summer, I had more than enough money to buy myself a skimboard.  By working hard for my skimboard and actually paying it with my own money helped me understand the true value and significance of expending that much amount of money.  The only reason I went through all of that work was because I really wanted the board and I had my mind set on that goal.  It is also important that whenever you are buying a board, skim or longboard, it is important to do research and find out what is better for your style, weight, type, preference and obviously budget.  My advice to all of you interested in board sports, try out skimboarding and longboarding they are both great hobbies to do by yourself or better yet with friends.

Post #13 Can't wait for summer

    This year has been so far, the most challenging high school year ever.  Eleventh grade has proven to be a real challenge.  Too many projects, homeworks, quizzes, tests, and other school realted things that definately add a big load of stress to me.  I've had some relaxing weeks with little homework, a few quizzes and tests, and pretty much nothing to do on those weeks.  But definately most of the weeks and weekends this year I've been working on projects, studying and having big loads of school work.  Having such a challenging year will surely help me be better prepared for college and in life.  I am certainly sure that my future life will not be easy at all, so in that way, I am thankfull for this challenging year that has helped me preapare myself for the future.  Although it's been a difficult grade, I've had lots of fun at school with my friends, this year they moved me to another classroom, this has given me the opportunity to socialize and become friends with more people of my class. 


    Although I've also hade fun during this year, I just can't wait for this summer.  I think this could be one of the best summers ever if everything goes as planned.  Until now, I will be going on a cruise ship with some friends and their families including my girlfriend.  Also, me and my dad are planning a roadtrip around the island to visit beaches, forests, historical sites and many other amazing places that Puerto Rico has to offer.  I also plan to work out a little during this summer, so that I can start to prepare myself for the 2012 outdoor soccer season with the school team.  This would be my last season with the team.  I will surely miss those days after school when we all went to the field, forgot about the problems of the day and just play soccer and have fun.  One of my other plans for this summer will be to buy a new skimboard.  During these past years I've really been in to skimboarding, it's real fun and it's also a great sport that makes me feel free.  The rush one gets when riding a wave is amazing, I feel completely free and it's one of my favorite hobbies.  Just by writing this I get more and more excited and with each passing day and week I get more eager for this summer to start, I sure hope I can enjoy it at it's best.

Post #12 The perfect weekend

    Weekends, they are simply the best.  Those two days might seem like a little and might seem like there's no time to do anything.  They could suck, but also, they can turn out to be even better than one or two week vacations.  Some of us only dream of a perfect weekend.  A time when we can just chill, have fun with our friends and family, and forget about the rest of our problems at school or any other problems that can affect us.  What exactly is a perfect weekend?  The definition of a perfect weekend will always vary from person to person, but if I were to define my perfect weekend with just one word, then I would have to say it would be just relaxing.  One of the best things that I like to do on a weekend is just chill and relax with my friends, family or better yet, spend some time with my girlfriend.  Whenever it's Friday, everyone gets all excited for the two upcomig days, everyone makes plans and activities filled with interesting things.

    On Fridays I always enjoy going to the movies or to the beach after school, it's a good way to start of the weekend.  On Saturdays I wake up early in the morning arounf 7am as I always do, and I begin to work on my assignments, homeworks or proyects.  Right after finishing my homework, I immediately go back to bed.  Get some much needed sleep and rest from school problems, quizzes, tests, classes and specially homework.  After I wake up I might play some video games, watch some movies, listen to some music, read some magazines, go on the internet or ride longboard with my neighbor.  Later on in the day I might go out with some friends or on a date with my girlfriend.  On Sundays, most of the time I will wake up early and go to the beach with my dad, there I will do some skimboarding, listen to music with my dad.  After the beach we usually stop at the supermarket to buy some ingredients, later on in the day, me, my dad and my mom will usually spend time preparing a delicious homecooked meal.  After having a relaxing Sunday, well just chill and be with my girlfriend, be with my friends and just await for the dreaded Mondays and hope that next weekend will be even better.

Post #11 Don't judge a student by his or her grade

  
"The most quiet people have the loudest minds" -Stephen Hawking-

    Grades, to some people grades in high school are the most important grades you'll ever get, to others; well they just don't really care that much about high school grades. It is a fact that the grades you receive in high school are going to determine to what college you can apply to, that is, if you want to continue your studies after high school. The grades you receive in high school are possibly the grades that will determine the rest of your future. Some people in school have amazing grades, all A's or maybe all A's and some B's. I really admire those students that can keep up the good work in school. They seem to be very smart, they do have grades that prove it, but in reality, when you talk to some of those students, they turn out to be complete and total airheads. When you learn a little bit more about them, it turns out that most of the credit they receive actually belongs to someone else. Sometimes they do in fact have the grades that make them look smart, but in reality, they're just not. Some of my friends have probably the lowest grades in the class, but when you talk to them, you might be thinking otherwise. Two or three of my friends might have really low grades in some classes, but whenever I talk to them I am able to maintain and keep up conversations of many different and complex topics. Topics that would prove to be a real challenge to some of the high grade, honor or high honor students.

    Some of those high grade students aspire to go to great and renown colleges and universities, but when I think of it, they don't really look like Princeton, Oxford, Yale, Duke or Harvard material. How is it that students are judged by their grades and not by their real knowledge and the way they are? How is it that our society will deny a geeky looking kid that has infinite knowledge of many topics, yet low grades, while accepting a fake, hypocrite, and bad example of a true student just because of his high grades? I am not claiming to be the smartest person out there, because I definitely know that I am not, but I am a very organized and responsible human being. I'll give an easy example of why I think society can be a little unfair when it comes to judging students by their grades. I, myself am a real history, geometry geek. Those have always been my favorite classes, I've always had the highest grades in those classes, and I do consider myself to be a person with vast knowledge, at least for my 16 years of age. I could have virtually any type of conversation with anyone and at the same time contribute and add to the arguments in the conversation. This might sound very good and real nice, but in reality, some of my grades are not the best. I am not entirely happy with my grades. But I ask to you: Whenever you talk to someone, do you know his/her grades? Do you only focus on a person's grades or on their real knowledge? Is knowledge based on grades? Grades are only numbers, nothing more. Next time you talk to someone with low grades, talk to them a little bit more, they might not be the best students in school, but some of them will sure have amazing, complex and interesting minds.

Post #10 Why I hate homework

   
    Homework, there is nothing more disliked by teenagers than homework. It can ruin your idea of a perfectly fun and awesome weekend. It could ruin the best vacations. By only reading the title of my post you know that I absolutely hate homework. Why do I hate it? Well, I think that it's more than enough to have projects to do, science fair, community service hours, team sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities. From my point of view, homework is just a waste of time. Sure, I’ll admit it does help us understand the material a little bit better, and sure it helps us learn a few things along the way, but I think that going to the school from 7:30 am to 1:55 pm is more than enough. To me, school would be much better and appealing to students if homework was given, but only as practice, not as part of the grade. From my own experience, through this year, which has been one of the most challenging so far, I'd rather have little homework, that way I can make sure that all of it is done. Honestly, whenever the math teacher gives too many exercises, I only do half of them.


    Although I am against homework, or at least counting it as part of the grade, I am in favor to encourage all students to take place in extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, community service or even helping teachers around in school. That way students will be able to have a wide variety of things to concentrate on than just homework and school. I am also in favor of tests and quizzes. Also, I am in favor of projects, they help us understand the material in a better, different and in a much more fun way. With teens it all comes down to activities and having fun. Most teens get bored easily, so by increasing the variety of activities, and decreasing the amount of stress from school, I can assure you that our grades will improve and also our abilities to engage and manage our lives will become better with each passing day. This is what I think would be an ideal way to change and improve the educational system. Change only brings experience, and with that change we can experience a new way of managing the educational system. I think that the system should constantly be researching new ways of improving the education in schools and improving the way kids and teens learn. I also suggest that this has to be done but by listening to the students, after all we are the future and the better educated and prepared we are for the world, the best the future will be.

Post #9 Trying to fit in

  
    High School, it could be the best years of your teenage life, but they could also become the worse years of your teenage life. Fitting "in" with your classmates is a struggle faced by many teens nowadays. Why is it that some people are afraid of being themselves? Why do some people try to fit in with the ones they think are "cool"? Many teenagers fake their real and true personalities by acting differently according to the group of people they are with. I think this is wrong, and is something that should not even be considered as an option to find friends. Real friends will be with you, because they really appreciate the real you. Real friends will stay with you no matter what and they will always encourage you to just be yourself. By faking your personality or your way of being, you are not only being dishonest to the people around you, but you are also lying and being dishonest to yourself. One of the most important things in life is to stay true and honest to yourself. Even though very important, it might not be easy at all. Some reasons that explain why it is so hard are: peer pressure, pressure to fit in, stress and even loneliness. Fitting in is something that will only work with those people that look and appreciate superficial, material and other non-important things about a person.

    I advice and encourage to all of those teens out there, to stop trying to fit in, stop faking your life, your way of being, stop faking your true identity. God made us all different so that our differences would help us understand and appreciate others for who they truly are, not for who they pretend to be. If you think you're just trying to fit in because there is no one else like you, then you better think again. We are all completely different, but there are always a few people out there with the same interests as you. It's not easy to find those people, but there will always be some people that truly care and appreciate you for the real you. Those are the people that will always stay true friends with you in the good times and bad times, and they will never give up on you. Let this post be of hope for all of those that think they have to fit it with the crowd in order to have "friends". Just be yourself, being yourself, being honest and truthful to yourself and others is the most important thing along the way, by doing so, I can assure you that you will meet new friends that will always see and appreciate the real you.

Post #8 Imperfect, yet perfect society

    Society, every society has always been criticized by the older generation.  Why is this?  Every time you talk to an older person, they always say things like "I remember when I was younger..." or "I remember those things didn't happen at my age...".  We, teenagers are the ones that hear this the most often.  But come one, are you telling me that during the 1950's, 60's and 70's everything was all sweet, everyone was polite and there were barely any crimes at all?  I don't think so.  I personally believe, and this might sound like a complete hate thing against elders, but I believe that all generations are the same.  Everything, absolutely everything changes, but in the end, it all stays the same.  The older generation say that bad things were rare when they were our age, they say that their generation was better, that prices were better, that politicians of their time where true, honest and respected men and women.  These things are always talked about by our grand parents and our parents.  I believe that their generation was exactly the same as ours.  I believe that those things they say now, we might also be saying later on in life. 

    Change in society is all about perspective, some people might think this is the best generation ever, while others might be thinking that this has been one of the worse and most pitiful generations to live, and then there are those that just don't seem to care and just keep on with their day to day lives.  In what category do you fit in?  What do you believe?  Are you some realist or are you a person that only dreams of a perfect society.  A perfect society, now there's something that would be great.  Right?  Well, even though it sounds amazing and wonderful, a perfect society, to me, is something that will only stay as an unreachable dream.  The imperfections in every society, in every generation and in every human being make us perfect in a certain way.  Those imperfections and differences that we all have and always will have are the things that unite us into a perfect human race.  It is that imperfect perfection that will always stay with us forever.  Imperfections in a society and in a generation will always exist, for there always have to be a little or a big room for improvement.  It rests on ourselves to decide wether we want that perfect, perhaps flawless society, or if we want the realistic society, a society that shall always be looked down on by the elder generation, even when they know that their's was the same.  Whatever we choose let us do things that will not only help us, but help others, because a society is made by one, but by many.

Post #7 Spending time with family

    Nowadays some teens tend to think that spending good quality time with their families might be a little bit "un-cool". Why is it that they think that? Well, quite honestly I think that most of today's teens just care about having fun, going to parties and only or mostly spending time with their friends. I'm not saying this is bad, because I do believe that teens should actually learn to socialize with other teens and their friends. It's always good to speak with someone of your same age and interests. Even though it's good, teens, including me, should learn to make a balance when it comes to spending quality and bonding time with friends and family. Everyone you know and everyone you talk to deserves a little bit of your time so you can listen and talk to them. Although friends do deserve a great deal of respect and attention, family members, especially your parents, brothers and sisters deserve a bigger amount of respect and attention. The reasons are more than obvious, our family members are the ones that have always and always will be there for us. One can make many friends, many friends will come and go, but only our family will always be present in the times when we need them most.

    Spending quality time with your family does not necessarily mean having to spend an entire day with them. To me, quality time could be anything from talking to them on the phone, to having dinner with them to just sitting around with them talking or listening to them. It is important for a teenager to talk, listen and discuss any problems with his/her family. Spending quality time with family members always helps build a stronger bond between the entire family. A good family will always be there for each other and always willing to help with any needs. Everything in life should be done maintaining a delicate balance, this ensures that you will be happy with yourself and at the same time make others happy and help others in the process. So, I exhort all of you teenagers out there to just spend a few minutes with your parents, tell them how much you love them, ask them anything, have an open conversation, tell them anything and most importantly, listen and learn to take advice from them, after all, they have lived more than us. Those few minutes that you spend with them will lead to an everlasting bond of love and understanding between you and your family.

Post #6 My Future Career

    High School is almost done; I'm almost in my Senior Year. I'm reaching that time of my life when I'll have to decide what and where to study. This is a big and very important decision; it's a decision that will hopefully decide my future career and the rest of my adult life. Many people ask me "So? What is it that you want to study?". Well, I think, that after carefully analyzing different ideas that I had in mind, I decided that I would like to study Culinary Arts and Business Administration. These classes will help me reach my goals in life, to become a famous and well-known chef, known for the great dishes served at the restaurants I hope to be working at. Since I was about 13 years old I always enjoyed cooking with my dad. I always helped him around whenever he used the BBQ at our backyard, or whenever he cooked something special for me and my mom. It's always been a great goal of mine, ever since, to become a famous chef and if it is also possible I would like to have my own restaurant.

    Having and maintaining a good restaurant nowadays can be a real challenge. Due to the ups and downs in the economy it is sure to be said that owning a restaurant is a risk in the business world. Even though it is a great risk and a difficult challenge, I would like to fulfill my dream by opening a restaurant where all of the staff will only concentrate on serving great quality meals at affordable prices. I want to have a staff that concentrates on always pleasing the customer's wants and needs, by doing this I can ensure that my restaurant will always be able to set the standards against any other great restaurant. I am very determined on going to a good college and learn more about today's economy, today's restaurant and food business and hopefully learn a few more things along the way. I also encourage everyone reading this to follow your dreams and goals in life. If you are determined and confident and if you set out a good plan of action, I can assure to you that your dreams will become reality. It is not an easy task, but if you really show true interest in your goals, you will accomplish them.

Post #5 You'll Always Be Remembered Grandpa

    I remember going on those trips, those days when I was just a little kid and my grandpa took me out to the beach, to the movies, to ball games, to the toy stores, to eat ice cream, and to just be with him.  Those summers when I used to stay with him and grandma all day.  Those days seemed endless, they were always filled with different things to do.  Those where the days when the only things I had to worry about were of falling off my bike or what ice cream flavor or what toy should I get.  Those days were the days when I used to go to the movies with my grandpa, we watched two, sometimes maybe even three movies a day.  We both loved movies, we both loved going to the beach, he told me his jokes, I listened and laughed.  He told me stories of when he was in the Army and the places he'd been to.  From Germany to Kentucky to Florida to California.  He was my hero, he told me of how his brother got injured during the Korean War.  We played together, we marched together and he taught me how to march just like he did.  He told me how life was when he was my age.  He told me everything, and nothing was boring, I could listen to him for hours, we could walk together forever and it still wasn't enough.  Whenever we walked I always used to hold his hand tight playing with a little scar he had on his finger.  I remember those hands, whenever we walked, I always looked up to him, there was his face, always with smile.  Always smiling, I even remember the gold necklace he had, and the golden watch he always wore.  I always remember those shades he wore during hot summer days.

    And sadly, just as good as I remember those beautiful days of my childhood, I also remember those days when calls to my house filled my mom's eyes with tears.  I remember calls coming in and I remember how my dad always hugged my mom whenever those calls came in, even though, the tears never seemed to stop.  Those calls always made me anxious, till' one day, my dad told me what was going on.  My grandfather was very ill and sick.  How is it that my hero, my grandpa, the man that told me all those stories of courage and valor, all of a sudden he was feeling like this.  How?  I could not believe it, of course as a kid, I just said to myself "well this is all normal" but deep inside, I feared the worst.  One day, I remember it as it was just yesterday.  It was early in the morning, a call came in from grandma's house, she said to my mom that we have to get there as soon as we could.  So we did.  When we got there, he was sitting at his soft green reclining chair.  I remember that chair, I remember as a little kid when he used to sit there with me and read to me, or tell me one of his many stories, always more interesting and more real than those other stories.  I remember falling asleep on that chair while playing with my toys or while watching TV.  The chair, filled with life, happiness and joy was now filled by sadness, pain and weakness.  He sat there, motionlessand pale, he did not speak, or at least he did not speak loud enough for me to hear clearly.  I remember how my dad and uncle checked on him while my mom, with tears tried to comfort my grandma, also filled with tears.

    It was all clear now, he was very sick, it all happened so fast, too fast for me to even talk to him.  So my parents called an ambulance.  We waited for the ambulance, wa waited and waited.  No sirens heard, and we decided to take him to the hospital ourselves.  My dad helped him downstairs on to the car.  It was a long ride to the hospital, or so it seemed, it was a quiet trip, the only thing heard were prayers and tears.  We got to the hospital, Emergency Room, the sign said.  I saw my dad helping my grandpa onto a wheelchair, I watched as he was moved slowly onto the Hospital entrance.  I didn't know that would be the last time I saw him.  I always remember that moment, I remember my dad pushing the wheelchair, I remember my grandfather's face looking at me, and I think that with his expression he was in some way, saying goodbye.  Goodbye grandpa, I thought to myself and that in fact would have been the last time I saw him alive.  My hero, my teacher, my fellow soldier, my true friend, my story-teller, the man that cared for me and loved me as no other person ever will, my grandpa.  Grandpa, wherever you are, this one's for you, not a day passes without me thinking of you and those great moments we shared.  I hope, if it is possible that someday we will see each other again and that we can relive those days.  You were, are and always will be my "Abuelito".

Post #4 The Island Of Filth

   

    Filthy people, I just gotta hate em'. Nasty people, well I hate em' too. You might be calling me a hater right now, but you know what? You hate em' too so just keep on reading. But what is it that I hate the most? People that dare to carelessly throw garbage in the floor, on the road or out a window. Happens every day, every night! Happens at school, in the mall, at the movies, in my neighborhood, in fact, it just happens everywhere! I mean, seriously what is going on with people nowadays? Is there no sense of pride for the little, yet precious island we live on? Is it that people are too lazy to just hold on to their garbage for a while until they find a trash can? What the hell is going on? I wonder if their parents do or did the same thing at least once in their lives. Is it on their DNA to be so filthy, nasty, dirty and careless? And something I hate even more is when they do it and just a few minutes after they do it, they look around and they dare to criticize and say how dirty this island is! They say "Oh I loved going to the States! It's always so clean and neat over there, unlike here". And I'm like "Are you serious? You filthy rat!". How dare you criticize on how ugly and dirty this island is? In part, it's your fault! Stop throwing garbage everywhere and if you see an empty bottle on the floor or a can, or a piece of paper, just clean it up, pick it up, throw it away.

    Well now that I've gotten that out of my system, I’ll try to ease up or soften this post just a little bit, if I can, just if I can. And even though you might have been reading this thinking that i'm some crazy teenage just being paranoid about what's just normal in today's society, well let me just say one thing. One of these days, whenever you are bored or just sitting around your house doing nothing, just get on your car, drive, and take a closer look at the famous streets of Puerto Rico. Famous not for their beauty or their pristine looks, but famous, or perhaps infamous for it's filth and nastiness. Yes, our own island, filled with garbage, all because some people are just too lazy to walk up to a trash can. You go to the beach and you see trash cans empty, while the entire beach is filled with cigarettes, diapers, empty cans, bottles, trash, trash, trash all over. Trash everywhere except where it should be. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people that are always criticizing and hating on Puerto Rico and stuff like that. I am certainly not to be mistaken with that sort of people. I am the type of person that only writes the truth and like always, truth is the hardest thing to swallow. But do not let this truth make you feel bad about yourself if you are one of those filthy pigs, the whole idea of this post is too at least reach out to some of those many dirty human beings out there. Reach out to them and let em' know that our island is slowly being consumed by them, and let's not stay quiet, let's speak out, let people know that we want only the best for our island. Let others know that we are tired of seeing careless people making a dump out of Puerto Rico. And let the world know that Puerto Rico is an island filled with at least a few people that care, people that care for the future of a cleaner and better Puerto Rico. And whenever you want to let people know that a change is needed, speak with actions, for actions are always stronger than words.

Post #3 Why is it that we exist?

   
Why is it that we exist?  What is life?  Who are we?  These questions frequently travel through everyone's minds at least once or twice throughout our lives.  Sometimes we actually think about these questions, sometimes we meditate on them trying to come up with a reasonable answer acceptable to our present understanding of life, if there is any understanding.  Most of us, or at least the ones that care about our lives, our world and the people surrounding us, we tend to ask ourselves these questions.  Some of us spend an entire lifetime trying to come up with an answer to these questions.  I believe that the questions we should be asking ourselves are:  Is it really worth it to find out?  Is there a real answer?  Aren't all questions supposed to have an answer?  Are these questions meant to have no answer?  Or are they actually meant to have an answer that is impossible to find out? 

    I personally believe that life is just whatever we make of it.  I personally believe that life means something different to me, than what it could mean to you.  I personally believe that life is a gift given to us by the Higher Entity, whether you want to call "it" God, Allah, Brahma or Buddha.  It does not matter to me what religion you are from and it does not matter to me what ideals you have but always keep in mind that life is a gift.  Keep in mind that for all we know, there is just one life, some find it to be short, some find it to be long, but we must all take good care of it, because after all, the only thing certain about life is that sooner or later it will come to an end.  Some of us wonder what happens after death, some wonder if we will ever come back.  Some people cry about and grief over dead friends, family and loved ones, but let those tears be of happiness and joy, not because a life was lost, but because a life was lived.

    By writing this I felt closer to finding out the true meaning of life, but at the same time I felt that I have a long way to go to understand what it truly means, from my point of view, to live.  Some of us might die before we graduate from college, some before reaching the dreaded fifties, some even earlier.  But whether we learn to love the life we live or not, we should keep in mind that we must enjoy our life, enjoy our body, treat it with respect, treat others with respect, be honest, be responsible, be kind, friendly and to always work to reach our goals no matter if there is any obstacle out there, because obstacles only prove how strong we really are and how badly we want our goal.  Let that goal be something good, good for us, and good for the people around us, follow that goal and enjoy this life, for there is only one.  Before you end reading this post, I will only say one last thing, life is what you make of it, not what others want you to make of it.   

    This following video has always inspired me and helped me to look forward and to keep on track.  The video was shown to my dad a long time ago, he showed it to me.  I recently found the video on youtube and decided to upload it alongside my article.  I hope you enjoy it and I believe it is a video that anyone should watch, because it helped me understand to look at life from a different perspective and it has changed me ever since.