I got to thinking about fictional characters. What is the obsession with fictional characters? We fall in love with fictional characters every time we turn on the television. I know I have. We wish these characters could be real; we wish these characters could sweep us off our feet. We hope for our Prince Charming to save us. Our absorption into this world has become a serious obsession. But what I’ve come to realize is that we shouldn’t hold out for a character that isn’t real. Love stories in real life can be just as romantic. We just don’t always think of it that way, as we aren’t seeing our love stories play out. Besides, our love stories are always more unique than any fictional story. Believe it, and it will be true.

I got to thinking about criticism. We all have critics screaming at us in the back of our minds’. Sometimes, we literally have critics shouting to change something that has already been altered several times. But should we listen to these critics? After all, we’re told to follow our instincts. William Arthur Ward wrote: “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me, and I may be forced to love you.” This quote will stand the test of time simply because it’s true. We criticize ourselves, we criticize others, and we don’t believe compliments because criticism has jaded us. This is what I propose: just do your best, because at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. Criticism doesn’t matter. What we believe matters.

I got to thinking about love stories. There are those love stories we see in the movies every weekend. And these stories make us believe in love. But these are not the only stories we should watch. Real love stories are inspiring and worth of emulation. There are some love stories that last a lifetime. There are some love stories that last several months, or several years. And sometimes, there are love stories that only last a few months, maybe over a summer or a vacation. But what’s important to remember: these are all love stories, no matter the duration. Short love stories are great love stories, too. We should never take any love story for granted.

I got to thinking about happiness. Happiness is… writing with the utmost openness and honesty… finding someone who loves the same people as you… finding someone who hates the same people as you… listening to Snow Patrol… not the work out, but the endorphins… the smell of Coco Mademoiselle… watching Law and Order: SVU… the scent of freshly brewed Starbucks coffee… dancing in the moonlight… freshly painted nails… peppermint hot chocolate on cold nights… electric blankets on cold nights… inspirational quotes… York peppermint patties… cucumber water… apples smothered with cinnamon… Bob and Willie… finding someone who loves you for all your weirdness…

I got to thinking about depression. This is something not talked about enough. And that’s a shame, for everyone goes through it, whether diagnosed or not. We shouldn’t be ashamed of being sad. There are times that seem impossible to get through. We fall behind, we fall out of luck. But we must know that we can get through it. For it, too, shall pass. This is what we must always remember, in the eloquent words of Gary Lightbody: “There’s joy not far from here. I know there is.” When depression strikes, remember that there’s always something waiting for us around the bend. There is always something else out there for us. We must pick up the pieces and follow along the path that’s offered. And we must always, above anything else, believe in that.

I got to thinking about changing relationships. We grow older, we change. We find ourselves in a new environment, we change. We find out who we are, we change. And that’s all normal. Sometimes in relationships, we change. When we’re with someone so long, we find ourselves growing and evolving. But if we are the lucky ones, we can change together, grow together. These are the relationships that last. And this is what we all should pray and hope for. It’s not about changing; it’s about changing together.

I got to thinking about agoraphobics. An agoraphobic is defined as: “a person with an irrational fear of the public or open spaces.” But don’t we all act like this at some point in our lives’? Don’t we all want to hide from someone or something? And is there anything wrong with that? Sometimes we just need distance from those things in our lives’ that are bringing us unexplainable anguish. And you know what? I actually kind of understand agoraphobics. The world is the scariest thing in the world. But I do think that life is better if you face that world most days. But taking time to ourselves is just as beneficial. Don’t be afraid of the world, but also remember that time alone is understandable.

I got to thinking about little joys. It’s Starbucks cup time! It’s the holidays! I am devoted to the holidays and everything that comes with it. The holidays are a season of giving and receiving, spending time with family, and eating cookies. What is better than that? Nothing. When the famous Starbucks holiday cups roll out every year, my anger toward the time change and progressing cold dissipates. Those cups signify the beginning of the holiday season. And I find myself most at ease during this time. There’s a sense of warmth and comfort that certainly cannot top this time of year. And I will surely savor every moment of it.

I got to thinking about wishes. It is 11/11, after all. I believe in wishing. There’s nothing more beautiful than making a wish for something better. And what’s even more beautiful: getting our wishes. I believe in writing goals down and doing anything we possibly can to make these goals come true. But this begins with proactive-ness. We cannot sit by and hope that our dreams will come true. We must practice every single day to ensure that our hopes and dreams will become reality. Like the great Walt Disney said: “if you can wish it, you can become it.” So become it.