Life is something truly wonderful.

Life is indeed something truly wonderful.

All suffering can be overcome; only death brings eternal pain.

People, all of them, can be so inherently flawed. They take life for granted, disregarding the most wonderful gift the universe has bestowed upon them. Only when death is near do they suddenly realize, in a rush, how desperately they want life to last just a little longer, to stay in this world just a bit more—not to make money, not to enjoy pleasures, not even to love, but simply to live. In those moments, they come to see how precious the act of breathing truly is.

No two people are the same, and no two lives are alike. Everyone chooses a different way to exist. And even if your days seem utterly ordinary, you are still living, still enjoying billions of things in life that come free of charge.

There are countless small things—have you ever loved them? Have you ever cherished the sight that greets you each morning when you wake up? Have you ever loved the first step you take as you get out of bed? Have you ever appreciated the steady rhythm of your breaths each day... Have you?

Have you ever been thrilled by the way sunlight filters through the treetops? Have you ever shouted in awe at how gentle the rain can be? Have you ever fully felt the crisp air of an autumn day? And have you ever thrown yourself into the biting cold of winter, embracing it completely... Have you ever?

Have you ever been grateful for the privilege of calling someone "Mom" or "Dad"? Have you ever felt happiness simply because you have a family, friends, and loved ones by your side... Have you ever?

People are all selfish in their own ways; it’s just a matter of whom, what, and how much you share your emotions with. And you know that to love and to be loved is the most beautiful state of being. Something so wonderful, yet not everyone knows how to fully embrace it.

In the midst of my unfinished dreams, I accidentally stepped into the world of adults. Adulthood is a concept reserved for those who have tasted all that life has to offer. Some become wise, carrying with them the lessons etched deep within, while others lose themselves, succumbing to the harsh realities of adult society. Everyone harbors their own hidden sorrows, buried deep within. But please, don’t let those sorrows take root in your heart; don’t let them consume the kindness, the warmth that beats within your chest.

At 22, an age where my eyes still shine brightly, my voice sings pure and clear, yet my soul can no longer be as carefree as it was at 12. The innocence of my 12-year-old self still lingers somewhere within me, but it’s now compressed under the weight of so many different emotions. Having to integrate into the adult world, I’ve been forced to learn things I didn’t want to know, to hear, to endure, and to do things I once despised. That part of my soul is still holding on, pushing away the darkness, striving to survive until now. It’s not that I’m unaware of how tough the adult world is, and it’s not that I’m naive—I just want to keep my heart innocent, to resist being drawn into the trivial, the meaningless.

I don’t understand it—everyone claims to strive for beauty, yet their thoughts and actions often contradict that goal, more often than not going against what is right. But then again, there might not be a completely right standard; it’s more about what should and shouldn’t be, depending on each person’s perspective. If we evaluate things that way, no one would truly be bad or good. Everything must still adhere to the societal norms established alongside the milestones of humanity. By viewing and judging with both heart and reason, you will find the most accurate path for yourself.

Let me tell you about my 21st year—a time when I met the first person who taught me what it meant to love, to feel sorrow to the core, to know something was wrong but still dive headfirst into it. When I poured my heart and soul into that person, I realized too late that I had been deceived. I found myself pitiful in my own relationship, willingly taking on the pain. It wasn’t anyone else’s fault; it was mine for not holding onto myself, for letting excuses and mediocrity guide my life. Just as I began to learn how to be better, a few hurts from some friends and the pain from that person caused the selfishness within me to rise so high that it buried my true self too deep.

Now that I’m 22, I still haven’t fully come to terms with that pain, haven’t been able to move on. My steps have slowed, and at times, they even move backward.

At 22, I continue to learn too many lessons, and sadness came to me abruptly with the news that my friend had passed away in an accident. Our elders say, “Good things happen to good people,” yet why do the kindest people seem to face so much misfortune, while those who are cruel seem to walk through life unscathed? I don’t have much faith in karma anymore, and often I feel disappointed. Now, I just live—live for my conscience, live to add my beauty to the world.

I'm trying to change my destructive lifestyle. It's so hard to reclaim the version of myself from a year ago—a time when my friends, family, and even I believed I was at my best. Now, I'm uncertain whether to regain that past self or to move forward and become an even better version in the future. One step at a time, slowly, because learning to be good amidst so much bad is harder than it was to start.

Wait for me.

No matter what, love your life. See the world through the eyes of your heart.