We live in a world with infinite possibilities in the palm of our hand. Media, which was once left to the TV screen, newspapers and magazines, can now be consistently kept in our back pocket. We sleep next to the media, we ride in cars with the media, and it distracts us from anything we so decide. However, what the media shows its viewers is often far from reality. At what cost will these made-up worlds eventually have? And how will self-esteems be compromised?

This especially stunning pin-up intrigues us all. We could recognize that distinct, white dress, blonde curls, and smile anywhere. Throughout history, women envied her while men fantasized her. Her elegant curves flooded vintage magazine covers and her sweet soul lit up an audience. Her legacy lives on, as does her wisdom. That's right, I'm talking about the iconic Marilyn Monroe. But what if I told you that what lied beneath this media portrayal was darkness, pain and loneliness? And that this same false characterization is happening all around you today, and, if you're like the rest of us, you're probably spending around an hour and a half each day absorbing it? Marilyn Monroe should be not only an icon of beauty, but also an icon of the falsehoods we too easily absorb through media.

Poor Marilyn. There, I said it. I feel tragically sympathetic for Marilyn Monroe. Contrary to popular belief, Marilyn did not live the life we think she did: Dazzled in diamonds, beautiful gowns, and glamour. That is, she did not live this life that media portrayed her to live. The hidden life of Marilyn Monroe was far from glamorous. In fact, it was filled with tragedy, heartache and neglect.

First of all, Marilyn was born by the name of Norma Jeane Mortenson. Norma Jeane was placed into foster care as a young child when her mother's mental illness became too severe to raise her. Norma Jeane never knew her father, only rumors of her mother's lovers. She was sexually assaulted a number of times between the ages of seven and 11. Some of the perpetrators being family members of those who were raising her at the time. Then, at the precious age of 16, she married 21-year-old James Dougherty. "We decided to get married to prevent her from going back to a foster home," Dougherty had said, "but we were in love."

These are just a few of the events that represent Marilyn Monroe's difficult upbringing. But notice how dangerous it is to only understand this woman by her magazine covers and to envy, admire and compare oneself to a magazine cover with cluelessness as to what lied underneath that beautiful smile. How dangerous and self-harming it is to do the same with Instagram.

I have this vision of a woman during Marilyn's time. She's walking through the street and stops as she passes a newsstand. She sees Marilyn's beautiful body draped across the cover of a magazine. Now imagine this woman gazing at the cover, envious that she, too, could not be on the front of that magazine.

The following week, I imagine the same woman stopping at the same newsstand. However, this time, she sees a newspaper that stuns her. She looks at the cover and it says, "Marilyn Kills Self: Found Nude In Bed... Hand on Phone... Took 50 Sleep Pills." I can feel this woman's confusion as she ponders the question, "How could it possibly be that such a beauty has done such a thing?"

Don't spend your life being the woman gazing at the magazine cover, wishing you could be just like her. Instagram is so dangerous in that way. How scary it is that so many young girls absorb this media form each day. Instagram likes are not a symbol of love, happiness or confidence. They do not determine a person's value. Likes will never tell you about the person behind the photo. You cannot know their past, their thoughts or their biggest heartaches. And this goes for all media, too. How important it is to be aware of these harmful possibilities. We don't know what goes on behind any internet facade. You don't. I don't. You never will and neither will I.

Next time you're wishing you could be like that skinny model in a string bikini lying on the beach in her Instagram photos, just know that she may never experience the love you have from those around you. Confidence may be foreign to her and so may love. Although I'm not certain, I think it's safe to say that those who followed Marilyn Monroe's media never knew the pain in her heart.

The human experience is about love, to be loved and to give love. And love is not found in the media. Media is not real, but the ones around you who love you are. You are real. So treasure yourself, treasure those around you and your own life experiences. Try your hardest to ignore and to not be influenced by the beauty you see across the media, for everything comes at a cost and too often these costs are hidden. And, sometimes, there is more to sites like Instagram than meets the eye.

In tribute to the beautiful, elegant and broken Norma Jeane, I am so sorry for the pain you have been caused. I'm sorry for your broken childhood and for all of your sadness. And I am forever sorry that the media acknowledged your beauty, but never your humanity. I hope all who read this will learn from what happened to you. Rest in peace. I hope you finally have wings made from your authentic self.

Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude

"Candle in the Wind" by Elton John