Rare white red-tailed hawk photographed by John Richardson.
By Adnaan Elahi
As high school students and young adolescents, we are still developing opinions and ideas about the world we live in today. We are exposed to several different types of hate, bigotry, and misogyny that are prevalent in contemporary societies. Whether it is in the form of racism, sexism, or simple hatred, negativity is spread like wildfire with the advancement of technology and social media.
Our mental health is deteriorating day by day, fueled by the dark vibes that contaminate our environments.
However, in the midst of all this negativity, people still say that life is beautiful. But the truth is, simply put, that the beauty of life is hidden all around us.
Although it may not seem like it, life is beautiful. We just need to get past our illusions of what we think our lives are like in order to discover the alluring reality of the world we live in. As many of us feel pressured by the societal norms that have been placed upon us (such as how to look, talk, and act), we are in a frantic quest to find out who we really are. But we can only accomplish the task of finding out who we really are and getting to know more about ourselves through our own experiences. No one is going to magically find out about who they really are through staying at home all day, watching Netflix, and listening to sad songs. Get out!
Participate in clubs, extracurricular activities, and take advantage of the beautiful places, scenery, and diverse cultural events New York has to offer.
Even just going out for a walk around your neighborhood will be an experience. You will get to know more about your area, it’s culture, and history. Take morning walks, eat a balanced diet, and most importantly, keep yourself active. Waking up early has magical effects on your health. Before starting high school, I never valued my mental health. But now, I start my day by waking up at 6:30 and eating a balanced breakfast. I go for walks around my neighborhood, try out new things, and make memorable experiences for myself by talking with people, going to new places, and eating several different things.
I love fall, so I often go for walks in Riverside Park. The scenery is beautiful, with leaves slowly falling from trees and the sidewalks covered with different colored leaves. As a result of my new lifestyle, I’m a much happier person.
I have a philosophy that we should learn and achieve new things every day which add to our character.
How we see life is dependant on our perspective on it. Doing things that make you happy improves your character, contributes to your health and fitness, and helps you obtain more knowledge through indulging in new experiences. This helps give us a new outlook on life in general. That is how life can really be beautiful.
With that said, go out, make new friends, make memorable experiences, and make the most of what you have.