"She threw away all of her masks, and put on her soul."

Sometimes in life, I think we are too fast. We don't give a moment enough time to be appreciated before moving on to the next task, to the next bullet in our to-do lists. We get something done and we move on, forever pushing ahead, forever in the future. This thought came to me while I was walking to class the other day. It's an early class so hardly anyone is up when I am and I was walking passed a big spot of grass, watching the morning sun sprinkle in through tree branches. I was listening to music and clutching to some coffee to-go.

Something you need to know about me is I have always been obsessed with the idea of college. In Middle and High School I would freak out over getting bad grades, not because of my report card, but because it could've impacted me going to college. I have dreamed of sitting on a bench, lugging around textbooks, and devoting my time to learning more about my passions. I had always wanted it. But then there I was, a whole semester in and not once had I realized I had made it exactly where I always wanted to be. I was there. I made it. I was living the small, but important dream of that little girl in knee socks and glasses. And I had never taken the time to realize it. That was so strange to me.

I think many spend their lives stuck in a constant "what can I do better" state of mind, which is a good place to be. However, like most things, there is an extent that should be reached, but not passed. Ever since that walk to class, I have realized just how much I've crossed the line. I've turned from being eager to improve to focusing only on flaws. And I have a lot of those. A lot. I tend to be lazy in some aspects and an overachiever in others. Social in my house, but unable to speak in public. I run from a lot of things (most things). I could go on, but the point of this writing is not about my flaws, so me listing them would be counterproductive. This writing will instead be about how much I've seen people constantly focusing on their bad habits and faults and flaws instead of embracing the raw, natural, and true aspects of who they are.

There is so much beauty in a garden. In the mountains, in warm patches of sunlight and waves crashing against the shore. In the glow of the moon. Just as much beauty as the sound of someone being surprised, little shoulder bumps between friends, a stranger picking up something you dropped, goosebumps, blushing, nail biting, skipping. Beauty is found in a variety of things, but always in authenticity.

And that is a trait I think this world could get a little more of. People these days, the people I come in contact with, millennials, are so refined. Which is an amazing thing. We are so ambitious, strong minded, focused. We are so ready to improve and learn. For all of that, I give praise. For all of that, I am proud. However, sometimes I think when we fall, we try to build ourselves up to be the opposite of the person who fell. And that is where the danger lies. It is great to upgrade, but the original settings shouldn't be tampered with.

There is something to be said about the things that don't change. About the everlasting things. About how you look in the morning before your first cup of coffee. About midday grumbles and sleepy mumbles. About the cluster of freckles on your back or your shoulder. About your favorite memories and people. About what makes you laugh and smile. There is something to be said about honesty and friendship and kindness. There is something to be said about your nature. And your nature shouldn't be fought or hidden from the world. Your nature is what makes you beautiful and true and authentic. Fake things fade. Real things remain.

I'd rather place my bet on the authenticity of this world than what is considered "cool" right now, at this moment. This generation is so transfixed on improvement, in sculpting life to be "successful" and "perfect", but in changing what makes a person who they are, everything is put on the line. People too often risk giving up who they are for what this world says is "good".

This is not me saying never improve. This is me realizing I never saw how I accomplished my goal. This is me looking around and noticing how worth often is put in the wrong things. This is me finding out many obsess over refining before embracing their true selves. This is me realizing I was one of that many.

I say we embrace the raw, the natural, the beautiful because that is what we wake up with and that is what will remain once the sun sets at the end of the day.