Yin & Yang

This is my first step into my blogging adventure and I guess a first attempt at a new life experience. I spent weeks trying to figure out whether this is something I wanted to get into and after looking through endless examples of blogs and articles I realised that expressing personal perspective is something worthwhile.

Born and raised in the city of London; arguably the most multicultural place in the world, I am constantly surrounded by views and opinions focused on religion and politics. There are so many positives to take from residing in a city so wonderfully divided, embracing and in most cases respecting each other's right to just be themselves.

However, like most things in life, there is always the counteractive element to views in life. For instance, with such diversity in opinions which I see and hear in modern times, the pressures of finding a sense of belonging have been and I fear will continue to grow for individuals. It has becoming increasingly harder for people to remain positive in their own lives when there is the constant reminder that there are others whom may not approve of a person's lifestyle.

When I browse the internet, I come across many inspirational quotes, articles and just general advice blogs on how to live a supposedly "happy" life. Although I am a fan of positive responses to life, the issue I have with contemporary society is the lack of focus on what it means to be "happy" for people individually. As a society, I feel we need to do more to acknowledge the personal requirements for happiness within.

I have taken great inspiration from the Chinese philosophy of "yin and yang". A dictionary definition reads that it is "two principles, one negative, dark,and feminine (yin) and one positive, bright, and masculine (yang) whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things". In summary, a balance of good and bad in life. To live in a world with just one form of feeling (positive or negative) seems unimaginable for me. I would not be able to appreciate happiness and the joys of life without the contradiction of negativity. To be positive and happy every second of life is virtually impossible, I feel I need to make this clear for my next point to be valid...

If an individual is able to accept and embrace the negative aspects of life then there should be a healthy balance to an individual's outlook on life. Now I am fully aware that this is a difficult task to complete but I feel what has worked for myself has been positive personal perspective, as I am typing this now I feel I should just name it "Triple P".

Whilst reading this I hope you will be able to take something from this, it is fine to feel negativity in your life, it comes with the territory, my advice is to take it all in, the good and the bad, embrace the pain as well as the joy, appreciate the positive things in your life, family, friends, job etc. Find YOUR balance.

Embrace life. Love life. Live life.