Written in stone?

I think people are afraid of permanence. People get cold feet before weddings because they’re afraid of being with one person permanently. They’re afraid of getting piercings and tattoos because they’re permanent. They’re afraid of having kids because they’re going to become a permanent fixture in their lives. To be honest with you, I’m terrified of permanence. I think people are afraid of permanence. People get cold feet before weddings because they’re afraid of being with one person permanently. They’re afraid of getting piercings and tattoos because they’re permanent. They’re afraid of having kids because they’re going to become a permanent fixture in their lives. To be honest with you, I’m terrified of permanence. I can’t think of a single career that I’d be happy to do for the rest of my life, I can’t think of a single place I want to settle down, I can’t think of being with one person forever. It all just seems too ... permanent. But on the other hand, maybe I’m just afraid because I haven’t found the one career, the one place, the one person that I’d want to settle down with forever. Maybe I’m just waiting for a calling, something that brings me such immense joy when I think of it that I can’t imagine not doing it. Something that I’m so passionate about that doing it forever doesn’t seem like long enough.

But then there also becomes the issue of dependence. The more permanent something is in your life, the more dependent you are on them. They become your defining points, they make up your personality, they become a part of you. For a while, I avoided dependence like the plague. I thought it was a sign of weakness, a sign of not being self-sufficient. But I know now that is usually not the case.

There’s no problem with being dependent on something or someone, everyone is. Maybe you’re dependent on your parents for their support and guidance. Maybe you’re dependent on school for giving you something to work towards, a goal. Maybe you’re dependent on your friends to get you out of a slump. All of that is completely fine. The only problem is when the thing you’re dependent on is toxic. When you’re dependent on drugs, or a bad habit, or an abusive parent. If your dependency takes more than it gives, that’s when you know something’s wrong. But then again, getting out of something like that is easier said than done. Regardless, something has to change.

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Do we really settle for mediocrity?

Sometimes I wonder if I’m destined for a life of mediocrity... Sometimes I wonder if I’m destined for a life of mediocrity. Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being mediocre. In fact, one might even say that it’s a better life, free of the pressures and travails of being extraordinary. So, I think I’m ok with being mediocre. But then a part of me starts thinking about the other people in my life. Will people be ok with having someone in their lives that they can’t boast about at dinners? Will they be ok with the fact that my only legacy will be my family? How about someone who is perfectly content with fading into oblivion once they’ve passed away?

It sounds twisted, because ever since we are born we’ve been told to make a name for ourselves. We’ve been told to strive for fame and power, to achieve something, to be remembered. But at the end of the day, those things don’t equal happiness, and they definitely don’t equal a fantastic life.

They say that some people are born great, some people achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Well, what about the people that never get a taste of greatness? No one ever makes movies on them, or writes stories about them. And in a way, I think that’s a blessing. To live a perfectly uneventful life that is completely stress free and is not the stuff that soap operas are made of. Some might say that a life of mediocrity is an indication of lethargy or indifference. But I think it’s something else, I think it’s a desire for peace.

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To Ink or not to Ink?

Let's talk about tattoos. Sometimes I think we place too much importance on things. Everything has to have a sentimental value. I don’t really understand it. Let's talk about tattoos. Sometimes I think we place too much importance on things. Everything has to have a sentimental value. I don’t really understand it. A lot of the times I tell people that I don’t need to get a tattoo that means a lot to me, and they’re always taken aback. Sure, maybe my zodiac symbol doesn’t have some deep personal history behind it, but it’s something that I’m fascinated by. So why isn’t that worth inking on my body?

I've been told to think hard before I get a tattoo, because they’re permanent. Well so are the choices we make. Every single decision we make has a lasting impact, they’re permanent. But that doesn’t stop people from doing things on a whim. So why should tattoos be any different? Not saying that I have anything against meaningful tattoos. I mean if you have something sentimental that you want on your body, more power to you. But if you want to get a tattoo of a couple of birds just for the heck of it, you should be allowed to without people wondering why you would ever do something so reckless.

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Soul Mates or Sole Mate?

I’m apprehensive of the theory of soul mates. There’s a myth that says that humans started off as double of our current selves. We had four arms, two heads, four legs, etc. Zeus, fearing our power, sent down a lightning bolt to split us all in two, sending our halves flying in opposite directions. Since then, we’ve all been looking for our other half... I’m apprehensive of the theory of soul mates. There’s a myth that says that humans started off as double of our current selves. We had four arms, two heads, four legs, etc. Zeus, fearing our power, sent down a lightning bolt to split us all in two, sending our halves flying in opposite directions. Since then, we’ve all been looking for our other half, waiting to be complete again. But that myth makes no sense to me, if we all truly had a perfect half, then why do some people prefer being alone than with anyone? Why are some people aromantic or asexual? Do you see the problem with that story? On top of that, in a world with eight billion people and counting, what are the odds that you find the one person that you were destined to be with?

So, I propose a new theory. There’s no such thing as soul mates. Instead, every person that you have a connection with impacts your life in one way or another (positively or negatively). Some of these impacts are so strong that you can feel yourself becoming a different person, more complete. And more than one person can make you feel that way, they can complement you perfectly.

Or maybe soul mates do exist, but they’re not always romantic partners. Maybe it’s your best friend, or your sibling, or your parent, or even your pet. A soul mate is whoever motivates you to be the best version of yourself. But the people who are truly blessed are those that don’t need a soul mate. They are the best version of themselves by their own accord, all of their motivation is innate, and they feel complete all on their own.

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Family (written by me in 4th grade)

Family seems immortal
But it can break easily
You can always mend it back together
Some people decide not to…

Family seems immortal
But it can break easily
You can always mend it back together
Some people decide not to…

Family is laughter
Playing together and sometimes getting hurt
Your family can always treat your wound
Some people decide to make a bigger one…

Family is warm
Like a fresh-baked brownie
Love in every touch
But sometimes your brownie gets cold…

Family is precious
Like a sparkling diamond
Glistening in the sunlight
But sometimes the diamond shatters…

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Leaves (written by me in 4th grade)

They cling on to the branch
Like a mother holding on to her children.
They sway in the wind

They cling on to the branch
Like a mother holding on to her children.
They sway in the wind
And let it influence them
Just as we let others influence us.
They are open to the world,
Showing everyone their true colors.
And though we may try to hide,
There is always someone who has seen us bare.
But the leaves embrace their end,
Knowing when it is time to let go.
But unlike us
The leaves do not cry or mourn,
For they know that their time has come.
But we are different.
Embrace it, Surrender to it, Avoid it,
This is what we do
When we know our time has come.
We waste time weeping over our deaths
When we could be celebrating other's lives.
We waste time avoiding death
When we could be embracing loved ones.
We waste time running away
When we could be running with.
Live life to the fullest
Because you never know
When it's time to let go of the branch.
Have no regrets
Because each one tells a different story.
And just as the leaves have their stories
We have ours

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My First Friend (written by me in 2nd grade)

I remember
The first day of preschool
My small body shaking with fear
I remember
The first day of preschool
My small body shaking with fear

I took my place at the corner of the rug
Hiding from the world
Shy and scared.

A small girl took her place next to me
As we talked I stopped being scared
All my goose bumps melted into my skin

The girl was Chinese
Unlike me
But we had lots in common

We played together every recess
We talked together everyday
I had made a friend.

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