12/22/2015 0 Comments Embracing the present...My mama has always said, " You are the only one in control of your happiness."
And in the world we live in today, it could not be more true. We are surrounded by hate, cruelty, and violence. We live in our world where it seems normal to continuously spread animosity throughout our lives. War, school shootings, rape, homophobia, racism, religious slander... While sorting through all the negativity, it can be difficult to find a shred of light in the darkness. Finding hope for a better world can be hard when our world is falling to pieces. Growing up, I was constantly told to "smile" or "cheer up." I was told to "suck it up" when I was feeling blue, but throughout my years of existence, I have learned that in order to move forward we have to embrace the presence. We can't ignore how we feel. Mama may be right in the fact that we "are in control of our own happiness," but we also can't ignore sorrow or pain. It is okay to feel broken and scared. It is okay to have to pick up the pieces and try again. With the world crashing in around us with such negativity, it may seem impossible to keep pushing forward. But everyday is a chance to try again, to try harder. A chance to bring a glimmer of hope into our dark world.
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10/15/2015 0 Comments And so it begins..Hello, World. I’m Marina. Marina Sylvia Ranae Brazeal. I was born twenty years ago in the Middle of Nowhere, Oregon.
I lived a fairly pleasant childhood. Memories of laughter, hugs, and goodnight kisses dance in my mind. I played tag in the back yard with my siblings and neighbors, I went to Sunday school, I took dance lessons, played sports, and sang to the radio with my mom. I grew up in a small, small town. The kind of town that you would see your school teachers in the grocery store on a regular basis. It was also the kind of town that obtained excessive amounts of drama. Much like the TV show One Tree Hill. When I was about seven years old, I found out I was adopted. My biological mother was unfit to raise a child, so I was put into foster care. Six months later, I was adopted. Growing up, knowing I was adopted, was never easy. I struggled with curiosity, stubbornness, and pain. I had the insecurities of fifteen teenage girls in one. I had my ups, and I had serious downs throughout high school. I began to wonder if this was just how life was; making it one day at a time. But, recent events have taught me that is not what life is about. It is so much more than that. Life is supposed to be a struggle. Life was not meant for sorrow and isolation. Life was meant for adventure and curiosity. Wonder and love. Life was meant for our enjoyment. Being happy is undoubtedly easier said than done. We are the only ones in control, but that doesn’t mean we can flip our emotions as easy as a light switch. Ultimate happiness is an uphill battle. A battle that we are all fighting. The road to euphoria. |
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