It’s really easy to pick people apart, it’s easy to have a “Tinder” mentality and swipe people off because their looks don’t line up with your wants, or ignore someone entirely when they talk because your views may differ. It’s easy to hate. It’s easy to discriminate. It’s easy to break down instead of build up. As a child, I was constantly reminded that like marriage, life was not going to be easy. I was told that I would have to fight really hard to do the right thing, to be the best possible version of myself, to love. I wish now, looking back, I could say that life has been a lot easier than I expected it to be, that people were generally good, and positivity has not been a struggle to obtain. But if I told you that--I’d simply be lying.

I’ve battled with issues of mental health my entire life. So much of me wants to blame my brain and my overly sensitive heart for my “low” days. However, I’m starting to see that it truly isn't my fault. The fault belongs to us all--the fault is found inside the lack of unity and acceptance. The fault is the divide that we as humans put up, the walls we build, and every time we deem someone not worthy enough to let in. Over the past few years, I’ve worked to change my mentality, to become more trusting of those that have stepped into my life. With this I’ll admit, there has been many times I’ve been ran over, forgotten, and swept under the rug. There has been times of anger, frustration, and hurt--but more than that there has been times of joy, triumph, and pure bliss.

I’ve noticed while opening up to the world around me, it has made me an individual that others look to when they need advice, or when they’ve reached a turmoil in their lives and feel as though there aren’t many people who would “understand.” It's brought a certain cast of humanity and compassion over me, and every day I am shown that being open, honest, and loving towards everyone are traits I wish I had learned sooner. But more than that, the world around me has changed. I’m able to see beauty in the small things like dirt road drives. The colors in the leaves, and the needles of the pines have become more vivid and surreal. I’ve been able to clearly see my blessings and pull myself out of my dark days. It has become easier for me to follow my passions, and I’ve been blessed with so many more opportunities--simply because I’m no longer afraid of falling or reaching out.

So to those of you reading this, I’m going to give you a piece of advice, one that you’ve heard time and time again but maybe neglected to see the importance behind it.

It is this: be kind to one another, be loving, be exuberant, and be proud of the accomplishments of your peers. Do not be boastful or show prejudice. Love full heartedly, even if that means your heart is on the line. Do not shy away from pain, do not hide in the shadows greatness, be true to yourself and those around you.

A friend of mine said the other day “I just want to surround myself with genuine people, and it’s so weird to me that I can’t find many.” My response to her was this: “The fact is genuine people are out there, they just don’t think the world would respect them or hold them to the same social standings if they became their authentic selves.” This is something I’ve found in people, especially those of which are in their teen or college years.

My wish to you is that you look in the mirror today and see your worth, you stop picking your mind, your body, and your heart apart and just love. Love full heartedly, love without boundaries, love without barriers. Furthermore, I wish you to have listening ears, to find solid ground, and to find clear skies. To hear your peers for what they are saying, and to respect their opinions with grace and acceptance. To open yourself up to failure, and run into the vast ocean of life, soak it up, soak it all up. Let your skin be kissed by the sheer beauty of diversity, and let your hands caress the the softness and vulnerability of the souls you cross.