Prior to the incredibly cheesy and cliche statement I will offer up to you guys, I will give you my deepest condolences. None of us are perfect; in fact, we are so damn messed up, broken, and sinful that it amazes me how we have managed to create books of archaic, beautiful, and conscientious beliefs; architecture that possesses ascetic qualities and functional purposes for human beings and the environment, and businesses that use their profits to improve aspects of human life in need of attention such as health, education, and environmental conservation.

I know you may be thinking, "how negative, how dark and jaded is this girl?" But I do have reason for having such little faith in the moral and intellectual growth of our species. Why? Because we have become a species that examines our thoughts and interactions with other human beings and the environment less and less everyday because of our fast-paced and at times, cruel lives. If we can't learn how to slow down, think, and change our interactions with people and the environment, our species is on a swift path to extinction. More and more people are developing anxiety, depression, and other mental and physical illnesses because of our inability to manage our thoughts and actions. I believe, as Socrates, greek philosopher and creator of the socratic method, wrote, that "The unexamined life is not worth living.” Without purpose and direction we lose the happiness necessary to carry on a fulfilling life.

So, my people, let's start analyzing our paths and making sure we are moving with purpose and conscience. LET'S MEDITATE! Here are seven reasons why you should take up meditation:

1. We won't get too scientific here, but… meditation has been shown to increase gray matter in various parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex (decision making and self control part of the brain), the hippocampus (memory controlling part of the brain), and the amygdala (emotion and stress controlling part of the brain). What does this mean? We can learn how to control our emotions and our decision making process better and we can learn different academic subjects with ease through meditation.

2. For all the students out there: Stressed out for an exam? Or your family is emitting you some incredibly negative vibes and filling you with anxiety? Take a second, breathe, and start mediating. You may find that the process of meditation can help you control your emotions.

3. Have lots of final projects and assignments to tackle? Meditation will enhance your focus and help block out distractions so that you can move swiftly from one assignment to the next.

4. Still trying to cut the sugar from your diet and maintain healthy eating habits? Meditation can help you develop these healthy habits by enhancing your self control and cost-benefit decision making.

5. Feeling cloudy? Or like you're not fully enjoying everything around you? Mediation can make you more aware of everything, such as work, friends, or school. It also strengthens your empathy and compassion, leading you to interact better with the people around you.

6. Unsure about your academic direction? Trying to reach an audience that doesn’t know about environmental contamination? Or do you just have a really big decision to make? Meditation will guide you there.

7. Feeling super negative vibes from some colleagues at work or acquaintances in school? Try just a few minutes of meditation and you can turn negative feelings or thoughts about yourself into a positive boat of love that propels you forward with your life goals and passions.

To all of you who haven’t tried meditation, I challenge you to give it a try. In a world full of constant movement and negative feelings we have got to find a way to take care of ourselves and meditation is proven to work for many people.

So just find a quiet and safe place where you can sit comfortably. Then just be present with yourself and breathe. What do you say to yourself? Is it positive? What do you see? A future you would fight for? Control your mind and you will find you have a lot more control of your life.