With my first year of college slowly approaching its end, I've realized that I have learned a lot about friendship. Over the past couple of years, I've had some great friends, but I've also had my fair share of people who made me feel not so great. But, as I look towards the next few years in college, I'm realizing that there is no need to associate with people who only bring me down. College has brought some amazing people in to my life and shown me that there are people just like me; all you have to do is put yourself out there. I've learned how to cherish the true friends in my life, and eliminate anyone who does not do my soul any good.
One of my favorite quotes is by Robin Williams. He said, "I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up alone, it's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel all alone." This quote truly speaks volumes. Right now there are approximately 7 billion people in this world, 7 billion souls. With that in mind, it seems impossible that one could ever feel alone. Yet, somehow we are still able to feel alone in a crowded room. The people you surround yourself with are crucial to your happiness. Life is too short to waste time with people who do not benefit you and make you feel alive. You can be the most popular person at school or at work, but are the relationships you are building with people genuine ones? Stop wasting time on negative relationships, be around people that do things, people that dream and support you. Quit associating with people who judge and have negative attitudes, because those are the people who will make you feel inferior and alone.
You're going to encounter many people in your lifetime. Some will hurt you, some will use you, but the most important ones are going to bring out the best in you. Those are the types of rare and wonderful people who remind you why this crazy life is worth it. Be bold, eliminate friendships and people in your life who tear you down, replace them with people who build you up. And yeah, that may be scary as hell, but would you rather suffer with the consequences? Take your life by storm. Surprise people. Show them that you're not going to let them dictate who you are and how you feel. The people you spend time with should make you happy and fill you with joy and make you believe that life cannot get better than this moment right here.
In college, you meet people who are similar to you. You meet people you can party with and people who you can tell your deepest secrets to, and if you're lucky, you'll find those special people who will stick with you through both and everything in between. Don't let your past failed relationships keep you from letting people in, because no one deserves to be alone, and everyone deserves love.
And if you are that person that feels alone in a crowded room and surrounded by people who make you feel that way, we've all been there. Hell, sometimes I'm still there, but you can change it. I never thought I would meet people who genuinely cared about me and made me feel loved, but I have. Find the people that make you glad you're alive and hold onto them for dear life, and as for the others, just let them go. Just remember there's over seven billion souls out there all just trying to get through the day. Seven billion people on this planet all in search of their own bliss, and then maybe you won't feel so alone.