I must...

... remember to stop, close my eyes, and breathe. In the flurry and hurry of midterms, tests, projects, essays, clubs, church, and stress stress stress, don't let life just pass you by.

take a look around and appreciate, enjoy, and love this moment, this place, this time.

I'm in my college dorm, going to one of the most prestigious schools in California, if not the country, with the freedom to study, learn, and know about my world and the world around me. I'm alive, healthy, without the shadow of death looming over me with the threat of cancer or disease.

I have friends who love me, who accept me, who support me.
I have a family who loves me, who disciplines yet protects, admonishes and guides.
I have no fear of starvation, no fear of violent death, no fear of guns, bombs, raids, or attacks.

The sky is lit with the moon's radiant glow.
The stars, however obscured by the city lights, still manage to twinkle above.
The sunset paints the world with reds, purples, pinks, and yellows.
The morning dew kisses the green leaves of trees.
The wind is soothing and cool, the sun warm.

Laughter, adventures, learning, peace, people, and music fill my life.

Above all, I have a God who loves, who forgives, who pours out His everything for me. He who died, who suffered, who rose again. He who is, who was, who will be.

I exist.
More than that, I am alive.
This is my life.

I won't let it live without me.