Turning 22 may not be a special birthday, but there's something about it that makes you question a lot things. In the spirit of my 22nd birthday, I couldn't help think about all things I've learned in just 22 years.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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1. You won't see the sunrise or have your favorite breakfast in the morning.
sunrise
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Instead, your family will mourn the sunrise because it means another day without you.
2. You will never stay up late talking to your friends or have a bonfire on a summer night.
bonfire friends
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3. You won't laugh until you cry again, or dance around and be silly.
4. You won't go on another adventure. You won't drive around under the moonlight and stars.
They'll miss you. They'll cry.
sadness
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5. You won't fight with your siblings only to make up minutes later and laugh about it.
6. You won't get to interrogate your sister's fiancé when the time comes.
7. You won't be there to wipe away your mother's tears when she finds out that you're gone.
8. You won't be able to hug the ones that love you while they're waiting to wake up from the nightmare that had become their reality.
9. You won't be at your grandparents' funeral, speaking about the good things they did in their life.
Instead, they will be at yours.
10. You won't find your purpose in life, the love of your life, get married or raise a family.
wedding
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11. You won't celebrate another Christmas, Easter or birthday.
12. You won't turn another year older.
13. You will never see the places you've always dreamed of seeing.
14. You will not allow yourself the opportunity to get help.
15. You will have seen your last sunset, a beautiful and stunning display.
16. You'll never see the sky change from a bright blue to purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows meshing together over the landscape again.
purple skies
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If the light has left your eyes and all you see is the darkness, know that it can get better. Let yourself get better.
This is what you will miss if you leave the world today. This is who will care about you when you are gone.
You can change lives. But I hope it's not at the expense of yours.
We care. People care. Don't let today be the end.
You don't have to live forever sad. You can be happy. It's not wrong to ask for help.
Thank you for staying. Thank you for fighting.
Suicide is a real problem that no one wants to talk about. I'm sure you're no different. But we need to talk about it. There is no difference between being suicidal and committing suicide. If someone tells you they want to kill themselves, do not think they won't do it. Do not just tell them, “Oh you'll be fine." Because when they aren't, you will wonder what you could have done to help. Sit with them however long you need to and tell them it will get better. Talk to them about their problems and tell them there is help. Be the help. Get them assistance. Remind them of all the things they will miss in life.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline — 1-800-273-8255
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true love
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Thank you for being supportive with everything that I want to do. Instead of trying to convince me 'no', you're encouraging me with a 'yes' or 'you got it'. Having you as my number one cheerleader is such a blessing, because I know I'll always have someone rooting for me. And you know that as much as you're cheering for me, I'm cheering for you right back. Having such immense support for one another is so important in any relationship, and I'm so lucky to have that kind of love and attention coming from you everyday.
My Cheerleader
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I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you more than words can write. I could probably talk for hours about how much I love you and how obsessed I am with you, but that's a little too much to put into an approximately 500 word piece. More importantly than telling you, I hope I'm able to show you everyday through my actions how much of a positive impact you have on my life. I'm certainly not the same person I was when we first started talking over two years ago, but I'm definitely a better person today than then, with a big thanks to you for that. You've helped me grow so much and I know you'll help me to improve for the better even more in the future.
womans transformation to happiness and love
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I can't wait to see where life's adventures take us next. The only thing I know is that I definitely want to enjoy those adventures with you by my side. I promise to keep enjoying all of the little things that make every day with you so amazing. Thank you for the thousandth for everything that you do for me, because I don't know where I would be - or who I would be - had it not been you by my side all this time. Thank you for being my best friend, my secret keeper, and my confidante. And if I don't say it enough, always know I love you and everything that you do.
future life together of adventures
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With So Much Love,
Your Very Appreciative Girlfriend
Google
Hauppauge High School
https://patch.com/new-york/hauppauge/ev--college-night-b588e8eb
We only have one high school here, and no matter what grade you are in, everyone seems to know everyone. We are a small school with a lot of spirit. Homecoming and Kicks for Cancer are two of our huge athletic events that occur every year, and the whole town comes out to support our football and soccer teams. If you don’t go to at least one of these events, are you really even from Hauppauge?
Palace or Paradise?
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hauppauge_Palace_Diner.jpg
We have two diners in Hauppauge, where it is not unlikely you may find some teenagers hanging out there until 3 in the morning, sipping on some milkshakes, or downing some fries. The diners are a very popular place to be after any school concerts or theater productions run by the school districts.
Smith Haven, only!
https://www.yelp.com/biz/smith-haven-mall-lake-grove
Smith Haven mall is pretty much the only mall anyone from Hauppauge goes to. Sure, we have Bay Shore mall and Walt Whitman mall not too far from us, but Smith Haven mall is right around the corner. It has all the shops that any mall really should have, and a pretty good food court too. You can almost never go there without seeing someone you know from home.
That 20-minute drive
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moses_State_Park
One real perk of living in Hauppauge is the 20-minute or less drive to almost any beach on Long Island (excluding the Hamptons). We have Robert Moses beach on the South Shore and Sunken Meadow beach on the North Shore. Whether you are in the mood for a busy beach day or a quiet day at the Long Island Sound, it is not hard to find the right spot. Since we are in the middle of the island, getting to the beach is something to really look forward to.
Restaurant Row
https://www.branchinellisonline.com/hauppauge/
You know that strip of fast food places right across the street from the middle school and high school? Well, it has officially been nicknamed “Restaurant Row.” After that 2:15 dismissal at the high school, you’ll be able to find tons of students hiking across the soccer fields with determination to get their fill of Wendy’s, McDonald’s, or Panera Bread. There is also Starbucks, Burger King, and our own Branchinelli’s Pizza… which is a whole other level of amazing pizza.
The Rinx
https://www.therinx.com/
So, Friday nights in middle school always ended up with the majority of us ice skating with our best friends. The Rinx also happens to be one of the best rinks on the island with many teams having practices there… yet Hauppauge does not even have an ice-hockey team…. Weird.
We are that town
https://www.888vetshighway.com/
Honestly, Hauppauge is really just that town that cars pass through while trying to get to bigger towns. Veterans Highway drives right through the middle of us and you usually just end up in Smithtown or Commack. Those two towns are more well-known for being bigger and having higher populations.
The Industrial Park
https://galluzzoteam.com/blog/hauppauge-industrial-park-on-long-island
You know that huge maze of roads aligned with dull looking buildings that seems to stretch as far as the eyes can see? Yeah, the roads that are infested with geese everywhere… The industrial park is apparently one of the largest in the nation, and its almost impossible not to get lost in, unless, yes, you’re from that side of Hauppauge.
High School Teachers
https://www.hauppauge.k12.ny.us/article/1729514
Everyone just loves this town so much, that they really never seem to leave. You really know you grew up in Hauppauge when half of the teachers in the school district went to the schools when they were kids! They know the halls better than we do!
Hot Bagels
https://www.change.org/p/chick-fil-a-save-the-bagel-gallery
Yes, this is the name of the 24/7 bagel store you have been to at least once at 3 in the morning. Hot Bagels is home to the best bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches around. It is almost impossible to go there and not wait in a huge line. That’s all right though, because chances are you’re standing next to someone you know or have seen around town.
The Hill
https://foursquare.com/v/hauppauge-high-school/4bd231d777b29c74ce3f8e82/photos
Sledding at the high school is a winter tradition for all of us. Whether you are with babysitting young children or you’re with your best friends, you have most likely been to the huge hill near the soccer fields at the school. You actually get quite the rush when sleigh riding down some steep slopes and hitting some moguls!
StableDiffusion
1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.
shiny things
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Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.
2. Listen to your heart and follow it wherever it may take you.
listen to your heart
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Moana always felt the ocean calling her name but it wasn't until she finally listened to it that she was able to learn why it had been calling her and where it was taking her.
3. Face your fears.
face your fear
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Moana itself teaches this lesson in nearly every scene but I think it is best demonstrated when Moana continues to go back to confront Te Ka, the goddess of fire, with the desperate hope of being able to complete the task the ocean had given her. Maui also faces his fears in this scene as he comes back to help Moana after previously saying that he wouldn't.
4. If life knocks you down try again and again until you can stand tall.
olympic woman
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Maui was certainly feeling defeated numerous times throughout the movie but he kept getting back up and eventually became the strongest and best demigod he has ever been.
5. The ones we love never leave us, their lessons last forever.
Lessons of life
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Grandma Tala dies, it is by her faith in Moana and the lessons she has taught her that Moana is able to finally follow the call of the ocean. Grandma Tala said she wanted to come back as a stingray, which she did just when Moana needed her most.
6. When you make a mistake, fix it.
Woman praying
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Maui made the fatal mistake stealing the heart of Te Fiti because he thought that would make the humans happy. Instead, he ensured the destruction of the ocean and all of the islands that inhabit it. Thankfully, Moana came along to teach Maui about the error of his ways and help him to fix the damage he has caused.
7. Never be afraid of being different.
Disneys Goofy
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Grandma Tala tells it best; she was never afraid of what other people on the island thought of her and the ways in which she lived her life differently than the them. She simply did the things that made her happy and tried to teach others to do the same.
8. All we all really want is to be loved.
love
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The reason why Maui took the heart of Te Fiti in the first place was because he wanted the love and approval of the humans and he felt that that was the best way for him to receive it. Maui's parents abandoned him as a child so he was always desperately searching for love because it was so absent from his life.
9. You are stronger than you think.
you are stronger than you think
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Before embarking on her quest, Moana knew nothing about sailing let alone working with a demigod to return the heart of Te Fiti. However, she learned that she was far more powerful than she could ever had hoped to be as she persevered through every obstacle. Although there were times when she wanted to give up, at one point she even did, she always somehow found the strength to continue working towards her goal.
10. Kindness is what brings the world to life.
kindness
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Moana showing Te ka kindness and compassion is what led to Te Ka returning back to Te Fiti, the living mother island and restoring the world to it's beautiful and fruitful live.
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