Stay if Only for Tomorrow

Hello, my name is Suzanne. I am based in Denver. I thrive to tell the whole truth. I thrive to live a life with no regrets. I thrive to inspire others. I thrive to LIVE!

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Life is a tricky thing. It’s a one time chance to do everything we want to do.

Life is an experience.

Experiencing life seems like a simple enough phrase, but when it comes down to it, what does it really mean to experience life. There are so many places to see, languages to learn, and opportunities for new experiences that we get lost. We don’t know what to spend our life doing let alone all of the distractions we have. Materialism is a big trend in our world today. The market thrives on its ability to make people buy what they don’t need. We all own more than 10 shirts, right? Now, why do we need that many. There are only 7 days in a week.

I have never been one of those girls who was obsessed with having stuff, but being alive for 21 years, I have accumulated more than my fair share. It wasn’t until a couple weeks ago that I realized I didn’t want to have stuff. I could survive with a couple pairs of clothes, my father’s ashes, and photos. When I thought about it, the only things that have sentimental value to me are my photo albums, because they are literally the last things I have of my father besides a little tiny urn with some ashes inside. I have a book and movie collection that I absolutely love, but at the end of the day I want to travel. I have spent money on these things that don’t matter. I mean most are from thrift stores, but still, I could be spending it on things worth while.

I aspire to travel around the world. Literally traveling everywhere. I have another page on my blog called “Take Me to NEW Places” (thousandpiecesofyou.wordpress.com) and even though I have’t posted very many, 3 countries to be exact, I have a long list that is just waiting to be uploaded. Writing them out and planning a trip I would take makes me so excited. I want to go to other countries and experience everything they have to offer, but at the same time I love volunteering. If there was a way to combine this I would be in heaven.

I am told this way of thinking actually makes me a happier human being and if I’m being honest, I so totally agree! Life is about experiences and creating memories not investing time and energy and money into things that don’t even matter. Having a book collection is great, but what do I get in return? A bunch of memories that are 1. not mine and 2. things I want to experience myself. Now, what does that tell you? I am not meant to sit around here on my butt. I need to go!

Instant gratification is so huge in our culture, but that has never been my style. I don’t post pictures, because I want a hundred people to like them. I could care less about that. I post photos because I like them, because I enjoy them. I don’t post them seeking approval. I don’t need any.

Life is about memories not materialistic objects that will mean nothing. If your house burns down are you going to throw a tantrum remembering all the things you lost or are you going to be glad that you didn’t have very much to lose physically, because you carry all that matters with you.

One of the biggest questions that comes to mind is, have you ever regretted something that you bought? Yes! We all have. It’s completely normal, but look at it this way. You don’t want more stuff. Have you seen hoarders? Don’t become like that, please. Find the real joy in life! Focus on your happiness not any desire you may have for fandom. The love you have for your stuff will only last for awhile, is that really how you want to feel? Make yourself feel special by showing yourself new things, facing fears, and giving yourself more memories. Stop worrying about the money aspect and live your life right. You only have one chance, so don’t spend money to anchor you down, spend money to enhance your life.

So in light of this recent discovery I’ve decided to de-clutter my life and I want YOU to be a part of it. As much as I’d like to say I will go home and have this all done by tonight, that isn’t realistic, so if you can hang with me for a couple days I will show you before and after photos of everything I’ve gotten rid of. Hopefully it will look drastically different, but you don’t need to wait for me to finish to do it yourself. Take before and after pictures of yours and show the world, and me too, what you’ve accomplished. Wish me luck! And I wish you luck!

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Not Your Typical Selfie

Taking pictures of yourself is not okay anymore. Maybe for Snapchat, but for Instagram and Facebook, your selfies need to be more artsy, more stylistic. Creating the perfect picture doesn’t mean wearing the right clothes, having the best look or even the best angle. It takes a lot more to take the perfect picture now-a-days.

A selfie doesn’t need to be just your face anymore. Get creative with it! Ashley McKinny, a photographer based in Boston posts pictures that express her love of photography and capturing life in the moment. When asked to take a selfie she posted pictures that gave a whole new meaning to expressing yourself. Her selfies are rare, but that shows you that she takes pride in how she reveals herself, how uniquely she wants to be portrayed.

    Lyndsy Fonseca on the other hand shows her passions and her vulnerability. She takes countless photos expressing her love for her dog, but also showing that not paying attention, pictures taken while off guard are just as gorgeous. A selfie has always been classified as a picture you take of yourself, but now-a-days a selfie is a picture of just you, a picture you classify that way.

   Kristin Kreuk shows her creativity. She enjoys yoga and loves cups of coffee or hot chocolate…either one looks delicious in her photograph. People are photogenic. It is when we try too hard to look good and create the perfect photo that we end up taking a few hundred before we capture the right one. The perfect picture doesn’t come when it’s planned and Kreuk shows being natural is beautiful.

   People would argue that celebrities always have good photos and I’d agree, but then again I could say that about more than half of my friends too. I mean who wants to post a picture they look terrible in? I mean, look at Robbie Amell for example. He did not strive for perfection even though this picture is far from ugly, emphasized by the 18,326 people who liked it. He showed that he is real. He is not just posting perfect photos, but showing his personality and sharing it…successfully if I might add. He also prides himself on selfies that show he works out. Yes, it shows most of us how lazy we are, but at the same time it tells us that he feels the most comfortable, the most confident, the most relaxed when he’s at the gym and that’s the person he wanted to share with the world.

   We need to stop expecting the lens to hide what we hate, but to instead bring forth who we really are. We shouldn’t be ashamed of the first 10 pictures we take. We criticize our selfies and even though it may feel like it’s not impacting you, it is. Subconsciously owning up to your flaws scares you. Believe me, I’m in the same boat. I wouldn’t be human if I thought I was perfect in every way. We are made this way for a reason. We shouldn’t be ashamed of it which is why I will share this crazy photo of myself that I never wanted to show people, but instead have come to love.

-Suzanne

See pictures at thousandpiecesofyou.wordpress.com

[thousandpiecesofyou]

The Power of Insecurities

Insecurities. We all have them.

I put on this facade that no one can see through. The longer I wear it, the more I’m convinced it’s actually me. To all my family and friends reading this, I’m sorry. I know I should stop hiding, but now I’m afraid to take it off. If you saw me, the real me, would you stick around?

There was this boy. All stories seem to start this way, but this boy was different. He was attractive and sweet and insanely quiet it killed me. I’d never had to initiate every conversation before. It was a good learning experience, but in the past years it has got me thinking…I think of him and wonder if it was ever mutual. If I in some way I shut him down, because I had no prior experience with boys beyond friends. Did I misinterpret the signs? Or were they never there?

Tragically lost with no answers near. I think of him even though I never see him. We had class together my first year, but then I switched schools. I never thought I’d see him again, but two years later I saw him and all of this came flooding back. My sister is convinced it was a sign from God and my step father saw how similar we were, but I was so scared. I have worn this face for so long, that asking for your number made my hands sweat and my lips quiver. In some ways I think it was my father not God. I’m not saying he didn’t initiate it or anything, but I told my father about him. He tried to help me – sent me money so I could ask him to dinner, but I didn’t. My father needed that money and he gave it to me instead. I feel like I’ve let him down…

I am NOT beautiful.

After being told for so long that I’m average or close to…and fat, I guess all the love I had left is gone. I know I’ve stated before in my “Love the Skin Your In” post to love yourself, but I think it’s important to admit this to myself. We all have insecurities and it’s time we all fess up to them.

I’ve dreamed for so long that I was better, but I just wasn’t made that way. Now, when my family tries to make up for their comments they never knew I heard, never knew hurt me, I can’t see myself as anything but below average. How can I expect this boy or anyone else to ever think of me when I don’t think I deserve it. You can tell me all this non-sense is misplaced, but when I see him standing there, I can’t breathe, I can’t be brave. You deserve someone better. I’m told people are interested in those with similar lifestyles, apparently meaning, a girl like me can’t wish for a strong, fit boy without being a strong, fit female myself.

Life can be a joy sucker. Maybe I’m wasting my time with this boy. Maybe I’ve just created this idea of him in my head and it’s not real.

My insecurities run deep, festering and slowly killing me. I think that’s why I find joy in helping other people, because…I am incapable of helping myself…

We all matter! I know this! If I walk away knowing anything it’s this, for Gandhi once said, “whatever we do in life will be insignificant, but it’s important we do it anyway.”

When you’ve been told for so long that you’re one thing, how do you make yourself stop?

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

What does it mean to be strong?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I’m sure many people could say the same thing, but when it comes down to it though, I have no idea how to answer this question.

Some say we have a misconception of what strong means. The most popular definition is to lift weights or to “withstand great force or pressure.” Although, this is true, strength goes a lot further. It is not something that you can see, but something you feel. Even when you think you don’t have strength, other people around you can see it. When you are dealing with catastrophes or even something as simple as a group project, you often see the weaknesses instead of the strengths. We are all strong, we just forget that we are sometimes.

People find themselves in less than ideal situations when being “strong” comes into the picture. I can’t tell you how much being called strong made me angry. I never would have said that about myself even under better circumstances. My freshman year of college, right before finals week, my father passed away. People called me strong, because I didn’t cry and I kept a level head the entire time. It’s not like I didn’t want to cry, but everyone was already doing enough of that. I wouldn’t call myself strong, because I would’ve cried if I could have. The thing about crying though, is it doesn’t show weakness, it shows pity. I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me, so I refused to let them see what was inside. I would not call that strong.

One way people expressed to me that I was strong was – optimism. I am not one of those girls or people rather that would ignore the good. When my father passed, I refused to look at the negatives. Yes, my father is gone. Yes, it will hurt me more than I can ever imagine with each passing year, but at the same time I know my father would want me to be happy. His time on Earth was cut short and by all the power of God, I am going to live. I’m not going to let my father’s life be in vain. I am going to live, because that is what he would want me to do. Many people would call that strength. To pick yourself up when you’re down and walk like nothing ever happened.

One of the best quotes I have found is by a man named Gary and he said, “Being strong does not mean avoiding the truth – it means accepting it, learning about it, and dealing with it head on.”

True strength is not something you can learn in a textbook or by observing other people. It is by experiencing it for yourself. As cheesy as this example may be, the new Netflix show Daredevil, shows a little boy no older than 10 saving an older gentleman’s life and losing his eyesight in the process. He could have given up, but he didn’t. He kept fighting. He learned how to read brail and learned how to use his other senses. Then, his father was murdered. He could have given up then, but he didn’t. He chose to make the world better, by helping others even when it hurt.

Life is just like that. Picking yourself up and moving on even when it hurts, because at the end of the day the strength you show will not only help you in the long run, but show the people around you that nothing and I mean nothing has the power to destroy your life. Your life is your own and I believe that is where strength comes from. We all have it, so by choosing to continue each day even through all the pain, disappointment, tragedies, and the never-ending hell-like qualities, we continue to live.

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Love the Skin Your In

I can’t stress this enough. Believe me, I have gone through my fair share of rough patches, but if there is one thing I have taken away from it all it is to love the skin your in.

It took me awhile to get where I am now. Most people never noticed how I struggled with my body both physically and mentally. I would often look in the mirror and see a blob. I haven’t been small since I was 7 -years-old. I have always been a heavier set child. As much as I’d like to say that has changed, it hasn’t. I am working my butt off to change that, but until then here is what I know.

I have short legs. I am 5′ and am like a walking sausage that is how pathetically small I am. I used to be so insecure about it, because everyone was and still is taller. I walked into a elementary school one time and found that they already exceeded my height. I mean, what child is going to take me seriously when they’re taller than I am? This is probably the reason why I’m afraid to have kids. I hope they are taller than me, but I hope that doesn’t mean I deserve less respect, because I really do love kids. I love volunteering and hanging out with kids. What can I say? I think it’s a gift. I once bonded with two little girls, who were thankfully shorter than me still, and I had to carry them both around. I didn’t complain for one second, even when my arms felt like noodles and one of them spit gum in my hair…accidentally of course, because it was worth it!

I am overweight. Yes, I know I need to get it under control, but right now, I’m comfortable. I have come to terms with not being the smallest girl in the room. It has taken a while to let go of all the negative and of all the hateful comments…I wish I could say my confidence didn’t come at a price, but it did. Before things got better, they got a lot worse.

Then, I’m not drop dead gorgeous. I’d say I’m beautiful even if I’m not beautiful to everyone, I am beautiful to the people that matter and one day a boy will see that and everything will be okay. But until then I don’t need to throw myself at every boy that even gives me a smidgen of attention. I will strut the streets with my confidence and no one will be able to tear me down. I am a unique girl inside and out, no matter what people say. There are things about me that I don’t even have in common with most of my family. I am okay being different and most importantly I am okay being my own kind of beautiful!

Love the skin your in, because when you do, everyone else will. Everyone will see your confidence with who you are and the love you have for yourself, because once you master that, everyone who matters to you will having nothing but love for you too. I’d like to say everyone will love you no matter what size you are, but there will be haters. There will always be haters, so let go of them. They aren’t worth your time and the sooner you realize that, the sooner you’ll be happy.

Believe me, I know!

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Soooo remember when I said I was an old soul? Well, I just found this article that made a compelling case they I love differently than other people. Crazy right?!

1. Sometimes we don’t want to hear your problems.

Amen! It is true, I am overly sensitive. I cry at movies as simple as Radio. The problems others face and how they are suffering effects me more deeply than I’d ever like to admit...but here I am. Admitting it.

2. Need someone to “ground” us.

It’s not that we are materialistic and not down to earth or anything, it’s that we live in our heads. I am not going to lie, I have a very romantic idea of what love and relationships should be like and maybe that’s why I have issues finding the right guy. I’m told it’s good to have expectations, but maybe I’m too unrealistic. I definitely need a guy that grounds me and makes me live in the moment!

3. We have a ton of enigmatic traits.

I value stability. I like having moments to be lazy and literally do nothing, but at the same time I have this freedom and adventurous side inside of me. I want to do so many things and travel everywhere that it makes it hard to find a balance, but when I do I am blissfully happy. One of these moments was when I was in high school and I went on a road trip with my church to another state to do volunteer work and I can’t even explain how joyful and amazing it was! 

4. Can’t have casual encounters.

I’m not for positive about this one. I’ve only ever dated one boy and I haven’t seen him since we graduated high school. We dated senior year, so I guess you could say it was easy to avoid each other.

5. Can be unconventional.

Okay, don’t judge too quickly. I have standards about life and living. I am always questioning and searching. A life goal is not something you can figure out by sitting inside a classroom or in your bedroom. It’s something that has to be sought after.

6. Understand the world and life on a large scale.

We aren’t narrow minded. We see the world and life for all its possibilities. I can be philosophical. I know, who knew I had it in me, huh? I have so many questions about the universe and everything in it, but I don’t have the means to learn it all. I have questions that need to be sought after and I have troubles focusing on just one thing. Basically, I find it kind of fun to interpret my life and others to see where we may be.

7. Don’t underestimate our instincts.

When I “have a feeling” it is usually right, so even when it kills you to follow my lead, just do it. Trust me! It isn’t normally wrong.

8. Don’t worry about going overboard to impress us.

It doesn’t mean don’t try, but I love, even if it may not seem like it, I love long drives, spontaneous and random things, converstations that last all night, simple gestures are seriously the way to my heart. Nothing dealing with materialism though...unless it’s books :)

9.  Can be broooooding.

I’m not pessimistic. Not in the slightest. It’s more a build up of anger, because I do see the world for all its possibilities and the potential that humans have, but when my faith and expectations are continually crushed, I am overly sensitive to the bad, the pain and disappointment that comes.

10. Communication = Intimacy

I’m so very glad I know this about myself. That way I don’t just fall for anything, you have to be real! I love learning about people and how they think, what their lives are like, what their pasts are like, what they want to do. I just want to learn everything!

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

The Life of an Introvert

People always think of us differently. We are not as outspoken as extroverts, but that doesn't mean we don’t stick up for ourselves or voice our opinions when it matters. Being an introvert is not a bad thing. 

"Shyness is about fear of social judgment," Susan Cain said. "Introversion is more about how do you respond to stimulation, including social stimulation. So extroverts really crave large amounts of stimulation, whereas introverts feel at their most alive and their most switched on and their most capable when they are in quieter, more low-key environments."

There are a lot people who do not know much about us or understand. We may seem like a different species entirely and I’ve even felt that way before, but after doing some research I found that we really aren’t that different. We just see and react to the world differently.

Introverts don’t always like big crowds, if ever. The struggles of being and introvert that also contains extrovert qualities, has challenges as you can imagine, that the lines start to blur. For me personally, I don’t really enjoy parties. I can tolerate them for a while, but by hour number 3, I am ready to leave. I love going to concerts, but don’t enjoy being in the middle of a mosh pit. I mean, I don’t think anyone really does, but I feel more comfortable when I’m surround by less people. I like to have a few really close friends than a ton of friends that I don’t really know anything about. Then prom and dances that occurred at school as well as clubs just aren’t for me. I’d rather go camping, or have a BBQ, or stay inside and make a fort. Being surrounded by people who look at me like a piece of meat or try to grind on me is a real turn off. Seriously, get your sweaty self away from me. I like knowing someone, at the very least have talked to them for awhile before they try to do anything. Like for real, do not kiss me on the first date or the first whatever, not unless I initiate it. It makes me feel uncomfortable when I’m bombarded.

“At least half of people who speak for a living are introverted in nature,” according to Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D, a certified speaking professional, executive coach and author of Quiet Influence: The Introvert’s Guide to Making a Difference. We know our strengths and we use them to our advantage. I loved being on stage, I just didn’t like the drama and unnecessary pressure that came with it. Don’t get me wrong, I know there is always pressure when it comes to stage life, but there really shouldn’t be an excessive amount that makes you want to go insane and be a recluse...for real.

Then, we aren’t anti-social, we are just selective. There is nothing wrong with this. We like to be surrounded by like minded people who make us feel comfortable. I don’t know if this has ever happened to anyone else, but there are just certain people you don’t want to be alone with. It’s not that their dangerous, per say, it’s that they put you on edge. It’s clear their personality isn’t a good match to yours. This often happens, for me, with boys who are weird. Lets admit it, they are all weird, but some carry this uneasy, stiff air around with them that keeps you sitting straight in your chair and constantly gauging what to say to make sure you keep them at a distance.

Dating is also very strange for me. This may not be true for everyone, but for me this is so true. I can talk and hang out with you on a date, but then I avoid your texts and calls, because I want to be alone. Okay, I’m not that heartless. I answer the calls and occasionally the texts. I’m not a complete asshole. But given the fact I’ve only had one boyfriend, this could have been the only case....or the fact that I don’t really date is the biggest clue of all. I am attracted to men don’t get me wrong, but I just haven’t found the right one that likes me too.

People often find me flirty. They will say it to me, but it never occurs to me that I’m flirting. I’m just talking to people and when was being nice and talkative a crime? I know there are people out there that take advantage, but not this girl!

Then, we aren’t understood, because we aren’t necessarily introverts or extroverts...we are both.

If we like you, we really like you! We don’t waste our time on people we aren’t crazy about whether that’s as friends or more so. We don’t keep people around who tear us down. Boy, this is the one true true thing I always always stick by. If I enjoy your company, you’ll know it!

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Austin is braver then most of us will ever understand!

This is so very important! Although his goal was to raise $4,000 for his next surgery...with the support of over 11,000 people he has raised $254,668. People did not stop donating after $4,000 and it still continues to grow. He is only 14 years old!

“Austin's next surgery will be his 53rd. It is a major surgery to repair his open pallet. Insurance won't cover the plate they will be using to close his pallet. It costs $4,000. We need to raise this amount by June 2015.” 

I’d say they made it! I congratulate his courage to post a video online not only to ask for help, but to stand up to his bullies. He is an inspiration for children and people everywhere. He has kept his faith and his joy for life even through the tough times. What a truly inspiration individual!

You can check out his pictures, videos, and donate here: gofundme.com/8h8pb4

You can also send him a card, letter or note here: Austin Niehus, PO Box 1251 Hayden, CO 81639. 

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

15 Unexpected Songs to Fall in Love With

You know when you’re messing around on Youtube and you meant to listen to one song, but the next thing you know, 2 hours have gone by? Yes! I know this feeling. I get so sidetracked on Youtube it’s crazy, but I have come to find some of my favorite songs on there. I have tons of music thanks to them. I never would have known or even heard of some of these bands and individuals without Youtube. It’s stupid to be so dependent on it, but some of the unexpected songs I found, I fell in love with. These are just a few. This doesn’t even touch the tipping point of the songs I have found.

1. My Darling by Lucy Schwartz

Don't you wanna fall asleep Forget about tomorrow Close your eyes, but not to weep Forget about your sorrow

2. You Rascal You by Hanni El Khatib

You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you. You know you done me wrong, you rascal, you. You know you done me wrong, You done stole my wife and gone. I'll be glad when you dead, you rascal, you!

3. Poisoned with Love by Neon Hitch

Oh I I I'm poisoned with love, with love But I I I can't get enough, enough So I keep walking on broken glass for you, y-o-ou I'll keep walking on broken glass for you, y-o-ou

4. 2012 by Evolove

Till the year 2012 Do we sit and count the hours? Do we all just live in fear If in fact there is no future? Some say the poles are turning Some say it's Armageddon Some say a world war's waging, social chaos, mass hysteria!

5. Avalanche by Josephine

Its hard to stand on my own two feet, cuz all I am is what you want me to be. I need somebody that can pull me out, cuz its really getting harder to breath.

6. Blacklight by One Call

This sounds gonna take you places that you've never been before The way that you're movin' it, makin' me beg for more Just follow me- close your eyes baby trust me you'll be alright We'll shut off the house light and turn on the black light

7. The Bomb by Pigeon John

Wait, 1 for the money and a 2 for the show but 3 to be a legend even if I'm poor I ain't chasin' nothin' you gon' have to catch me and if you wanna taste you gon' have to pay a fee

8. Make You Mine by 2AM Club

You did it so right, you gave me your life One star can never shine twice So I could never, never Make you mine, make you mine

9. Sing Loud by Alpha Rev

Open wide I'm ready for the battle Our fight, this burning bed See the bones that bullets have shattered And I feel every drop of blood you've bled Lay down these promises broken Take me into your hurricane While violent clouds roll over I'll hold your hand till the colors fade I'll be here till your dying day

10. Abraham’s Song by Arcade Fire

While his daughter hid and watched, She dare not breathe, she was so still. Just as an angel cried for the slaughter, Abraham's daughter raised her voice.

11. Take a Number by Baiyu

Ennie minnie miny mo catch a player smack a * I'm tired of this foolishness I don't have to deal with this. Go on fall back (fall back) Who's next (who's next) Take that (take that) Get off (get off) My back

12. Get Out by Casey Abrams

you hit me harder than a freight train Right in the middle of my membrane Driving backwards in the fast lane Headlights off after midnight Saw you shinning in the starlight Girl you got me like a bug bite And now you're under my skin

13. Rule the World by Anabel Englund

I’m gonna rule the world with me myself and I

Other people can take their time and pass me by

I’m gonna rule the world believe me it’s not lie

The clock runs in my direction on my own time.

14. The Unknown by Athlete

Let your world be wide open And your fears be blown apart May your voice be louder than bombs Somewhere in silence find one to trust

15. Follow Me by Distal

Where will you go to find it?

Follow me here

And if the whole world should know

Let them say what they say

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Recently an article was published in Elite Daily about love. I know, I know, it gets old hearing the same old things especially when it comes to relationships, but I’ve never been one of those girls who was always dating someone...which is why this was such news to me. I know you’re tired of it, but please, you need to hear this!

Paul Hudson’s article is called ‘10 Reasons Why This Generation Is Losing the Ability to Be in Love.’ If that doesn’t totally make you stop and read it again, I don’t know what will.

His opening is a masterpiece: “Ever wonder what our generation will be known for in the decades to come? I ponder the question regularly.There are so many great things we could be remembered for, but if history has taught us anything, it’s the negative that tends to last the test of time, not the positive. My greatest worry is our generation will be looked at as the generation that gave up on love. We date for the sake of dating. The generation that forgot how to love — which is ridiculous. Most people have never had a good understanding of love, just a poor interpretation of it.”

This got me to thinking...I’ve thought about this before, but it never occurred to me to look at this aspect of it. I thought technology is a positive, but a negative as well. I thought history would remember us as being lazy and well...you heard of the Jeffco schools in Colorado, right? They want to leave war and everything non-patriotic out of our history when teaching it in school. That would be a big no no! We would be doomed to repeat the past.

But as far as love goes...I never thought about the fact that love is no longer in the equation. The further I read the more I was nodding my head like “ohh hell yes. We are doomed!”

1.We care more about instant gratification.

We live in a society where we don’t really have to work for much. We want food? You can get it delivered to your house in a matter of minutes. Everything we have now is so convenient. We don’t have to work for much. I mean, for your research essay did you have to go to the library, request hundreds of books, and literally find the answer yourself? No, the internet gave you the answer with one click of a button.

2. Our culture is driven by drugs and booze.

This is so true it kills me. When I was in high school, shit even in middle school my friends were all about what was in trend, whether that was fashion, movies, or extracurricular activities - and I don’t mean clubs at school. I’m talking about raging parties with lots of alcohol. I’m surprised everyone made it out in one piece. And don’t even get me started on my freshman year of college. Then as far as drugs go...this is Colorado. We legalized Marijuana for goodness sakes.

3. We sleep around - a lot.

There’s no use in denying it ladies and gentleman. You know who you are. There is nothing wrong with sleeping around, but when it comes to affect you emotionally, you know you have a big problem.

4. Egocentric.

We all think about ourselves and our needs first. It is basically a part of human nature nowadays. For me, I love to volunteer, so I guess I am that rare flower in the field.

5. Date just to date.

Have you ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend you stuck with just because of convenience or because you didn’t have anyone else? Here you go!

6. Aren’t fans of compromise.

I’d like to say I fight, but I don’t. I am not a big fan of drama therefore I was never one of those antsy teenagers in the hallway who picked a fight with someone who even sneezed wrong in the hallway. It’s ridiculous how crazy and how cruel we’ve become. We want it our way or not at all and that just isn’t how it works.

7. We believe in fairy-tale endings.

Believe me, I am just like one of those girls who believes in happy endings, but I wouldn’t say I believe it in solely that it will happen in real life. Movies don’t depict reality, I mean, have you seen movies about high school? They in no way had it right. So why should we believe that the most attractive boy ever will fall in love with an average girl? Come on, it’s just not realistic.

8. Fooled by the idea that perfection is attainable.

I’d like to say I could take a magic pill and all my extra weight would melt away, but come on? Even if that was possible it would harm your body. Tell me there would be no repercussions! Then we have high standards. You want your boy to be perfect? Well, let me tell you. We drive ourselves crazy thinking men want us thin with thigh gaps, well that just isn’t realistic. Boys want curves! Then we want our men to be fit and 100% beautiful? They drive themselves just as crazy as we do. They are insecure too, thinking we want this.

9. Goal driven.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when you leave out your partner or significant other, it becomes that way. You need people. We need human interaction, so you have to choose between marrying the wonderful man you have been dating for years or take your dream job, which is more important? At the end of the day, what can’t you live without?

10. Bad at loving.

Amen. I am not going to hide the fact that I don’t understand love. I have never been in love therefore how can I even explain what it must feel like to have it? Paul Hudson said, “Love is confusing. It has layers and is mutable, changing over time and changing with each new partner we let into our lives. Love is so incredibly complex that most people simply haven’t been able to get a grasp of it.It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it is reason to worry. The real question is: Are we getting better or worse at loving? That’s a question I’m not able to answer, but I fear it maybe the latter.“

-Suzanne

Read the article here: http://elitedaily.com/dating/generation-giving-up-love/989885/

[thousandpiecesofyou]

I don’t want to be owned! It’s one thing to say it, but it’s completely different to live and believe in what you’re saying. 

There will come a day when all of this becomes nothing. Can you believe a thought like this occurred to me while sitting on my porch swing starring at the trees and brush behind my house? 

Everything we care about, everything we are so concerned about having will one day be nothing. One day we will be nothing. No one will remember us after our children and their children have passed. No one will have known us enough to care. When we are gone people will see the things we collected, the pictures we took and wonder who we were. Will they think we were spoiled? Will they wonder why we cared so much about this crap? Will they think we had no idea what life truly meant? What will our stuff one day say about us?

What is the meaning of all this stuff if we had no one to share it with? Then, did we really need the stuff or would they have loved our company anyway? I guess some of us will never know...or will never care to know. Our relationships with the people we care about could change forever. 

I even dislike how far we’ve come to rely on technology. Sure it’s great in the way we can communicate with each other and create bonds even thousands of miles away, but at the end of the day why do we need it? We’ve all become so lazy and I’m in no way not admitting to it. I’m addicted to Netflix. I love it, but I hate it at the same time. If it never existed, I would never have to imagine what life would be like without it. Maybe my eating habits would be better if I wasn’t just sitting around. I wonder if I would be more creative or more athletic if I wasn’t so consumed, if none of us were consumed by technology

I DON’T WANT TO BE OWNED.

I don’t want to be attached to material things. I don’t want people to remember me only because I had a giant book and DVD collection. I don’t want to be owned by technology: to have to rely on it every minute of everyday. I wish I could get rid of my phone, even for a day, to know what would happen. But there is too much riding on that text, that phone call to get rid of it. Internships, jobs, schools, and everything else wants to be able to get into contact with you fast....but at the end of the day I wish I could do away with it...or in the very least not have to have it 24/7.

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

It's been a long day without you my friend. And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again. We've come a long way from where we began. Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again. When I see you again

Wiz Khalifa

You know when you hear that one lyric and everything seems to fall in place? When you hear it and all the memories come flooding back? For me, this song does the trick. When I hear it, I automatically think of Paul Walker. He would have been so proud....and the way they paid tribute to him in Furious 7 was inspiring, emotional, and truly beautiful. Not everyone who leaves this earth has their own song, but I can say, this song is Paul’s. There will never be another person I visualize more during this song than him. I may not have known him personally, but the Fast and Furious series made sure that we all felt like a part of his family. He will always be in my heart and he will never be forgotten. 

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Path of My Existence

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Even though you may not see it now, there is.

Just like this bridge in the ocean, you will know where you are heading, but you will not know where you end up. You will get to a point in your life when you have no idea what to do, what is going on, or even what is to come. I wish I had all the answers and could tell you how to navigate the waters, but alas I cannot. I am lost at sea just like everyone else....but maybe we aren’t really lost. Maybe we just think we are. We may feel lost, but does that mean we actually are?

I have aspirations and dreams, but is that not the way I will go? I want a family, but will I find out I can’t? I want to travel, but will I find out I can’t? 

I have one life and I want to live it the way I chose, but even so, does it even matter what I want? We are connected to those around us, which means if they change or make a different decision than what was anticipated, then it will invariably change the course we are on as well. We cannot pretend to understand this life, but we do have to make the choice to stick with it even when the going gets tough. Life is like an ocean. There will be little changes, there will be drastic ups and downs, there will be immediate stops as you crash into something or someone else, there will be times that you are pulled under and times when nothing happens at all, but most importantly your life is mysterious just as the great depths of the oceans are. We cannot begin to comprehend life under the surface, so why are we trying so hard to understand our journey beyond the horizon?

-Suzanne

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Life is Fleeting

Have you ever had a moment in your life when you realizedyou were getting older? We get so caught up in the moment that time flies by and the next thing you know you’re 5 years older.

Never, never had I ever worried about this. I always saw the world at my finger tips with so many places to go, but now I’m 21. I’m getting older, getting to the point where life isn't going to be one huge game anymore, it’s going to become serious and the days of being a child will be gone.

I’m not afraid of looking old, I’m afraid of being old. Wrinkly skin can’t stop me, but the idea that I don’t have enough time...is nagging at me! I have all these things I want to do. I want to travel around the world, I want to go on a safari, I want to go on a guided tour through the Amazon, I want to go to a Barcelona soccer game, I want to stay the night in an underwater hotel, I want to backpack around Europe and/or anywhere, I want to visit Russia and see for my own eyes their extraordinary architecture, I want to volunteer in second world countries, I want to meet new people and tell their stories, I want to get married and have a family, I want to learn to ride a motorcycle, I want to scuba dive around the Great Barrier Reef, I want to go skydiving, I want to go in the Cage of Death even though I may totally crap myself, I want to swim with sharks (in a cage of course), I want to go on the World’s Steepest Roller Coaster in Japan, I want to simply travel the world and experience what each individual place has to offer whether its a big city or a small town.

I don’t want to grow up and find I can’t experience any of these things. I want to truly live before it’s my time to go. I don’t want to regret never doing any of these. Money is a big problem, but my desire to go has got to count for something. 

Never let anything stop you from where you want to be. I want to have all these experiences and more. I want to live here in Colorado, but I don’t ever want to feel stuck or shackled that I can’t do anything. Little steps at a time and I will get there!

What’s your dream?

-Suzanne

Photo Credit: Robby Cavanaugh Photography

[thousandpiecesofyou]

To be BEAUTIFUL is to be FLAWED Waking up each morning and getting ready for the day, you think it would be a no brainer. But as the days pass by and the years continue to fly, it’s hard to see yourself for what you truly are…beautiful. I’m not just talking about getting older. I’m talking about your spirit. When I wake up in the morning, I wait until the very last minute to look in the mirror. I don’t know if it’s my unconscious fear or shame, but I try to spend as little time as possible in front of it. I don’t see the point in feeling sorry for myself and wishing I were better. I look this way for a reason and gosh darn it I’m going to love it! It may not make sense, but growing up I didn’t wear makeup. I always liked the natural look, but when a boy called me ugly, you could say that’s when things changed. I made a drastic decision and wore makeup like a crazy person. I wore bright colors that always matched my outfit, but eventually I realized that I couldn’t look like that forever. I eventually got a job that required me to grow up, so to speak. I started wearing natural eye shadows instead, but still it took me at least 20 minutes in front of the mirror to make sure everything looked okay. Now, I am proud to say that has all changed. I only wear mascara and if it’s a really important occasion I will throw on some eyeliner and lipstick, but again that’s rare. To be beautiful is to flawed and I don’t just mean that because I’m blessed with clear skin. I work for it. I trick my body into believing I’m never stressed and my optimistic viewpoint keeps me in check. I don’t want to cause unnecessary harm on myself, because everything that is going to happen is going to happen anyway, whether you worried about it or not. I no longer worry about my weight. I understand how important it is to be happy, but to worry about it and stress 24/7 is not going to solve anything. If anything, it will make it worse…at least for me. You’re a little over weight? Flaunt it! There is nothing like loads of confidence to keep the haters away. You’re a little bit thin? Again, walk with a bounce in your step. Let people know that you’re not ashamed of your body. We are all built differently. Have a receding hairline? Own it! I’m not even joking. Even though I’m young and will hopefully have my hair for years to come, I have to tell you, when I’m older I’m decorating mine. I will be that older woman with blue, purple, rainbow hair. Anything to say, I’m happy being me and there’s no one I’d rather be. Have short legs? Oh, don’t even stress it. I am short and I’ve come to love it. Yes, there are moments when I wish I was taller, but doesn’t everyone do that about something? I am beautifully short, which means I can play in McDonalds and it doesn’t matter. Find the joy in the little things. Have acne? Don’t worry. Seriously that’s probably what’s doing it. Tip 1: Don’t touch your face. I know it’s hard, but all you’re doing is transferring oils. It’s not helping a darn thing. Tip 2: I put my hair up when I sleep, so it’s not in my face and it’s not adding more oils. Tip 3: Stop stressing! I can’t say this enough. Life is not meant to be a burden, so let go of all the meaningless crap and live. Flaunt your flaws and know you’re loved. People may not always say it, but you are loved and you matter!

Photo Credit: Rebecca Slaughter Photography

-Suzanne

[erronizar]

Send me "kiss" + your country to be promoted to over 520,000 dashboards

[thousandpiecesofyou]

Friendzoned

This is so important! I never realized how important it was to establish boundaries until it was too late. I wish I could say I had prior experience, but in high school I was awkward and I’m in no way ashamed of that fact. What I am embarrassed about more than anything is not knowing what to do.

I was walking with some friends, minding my own business when I got the look. Yes, the look that says I want to kiss you. Never having seen it before, I was completely oblivious to this fact and was bombarded. I wish I could say I was prepared or that I enjoyed it, but it was the moment I realized that I should have friendzoned this boy before it went too far.

I have never been one of the those girls. Yes, most my friends are male, but I was never seen as a girl. I was one of the bros. I used to think it was so awesome, but since the years have passed I want nothing more than to go back to high school and make mistakes.

I only had one boyfriend for crying out loud. I know nothing. I have these high expectations for what I want, but no where near the confidence I need to walk up to beautiful men and tell them. Yes, the fear of a jealous girlfriend is there, but I struggle with the confidence of walking up to a stranger at the gym, in the hallway at school, in a freaking grocery store. There are mutual smiles and acknowledgements, but whoever decided I had to make the first move was mistaken. I am the biggest chicken EVER! 

Has anyone else ever had a moment like this?

-Suzanne