A Million Reasons to Live and to Love

I believe in faith.
I believe in hope.
But most importantly I believe in love, because love is the greatest of these.

Not love in a sappy, whimsical way – not the kind you feel for someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. Not the kind in which the streets of your mind are constantly flooded by the thoughts of your beloved or the kind in which your heart pounds and flutters within you when you look upon their face.

But pure, simple, generous love.

Love that has a voice to speak for the voiceless; that has the power to shatter the chains of captivity and bondage.
To speak for Syrian refugees searching for a place to call home, longing for a nation to embrace every torn part of their conflicted souls.
To free the children of a broken Tibet – a Tibet wailing to see liberation, a Tibet yearning for its independence.
To speak for mothers who mourn the death of infant children who are murdered by senseless acts of terrorism.
To free children whose bodies are exploited, whose eyes are subject to nefarious acts; women whose faces are marred by the effects of acid, whose bodies are beaten and bruised simply so that those who are doing the beating and brusing can feel a surge of power.
To speak for babies that are suffocated, thrown in the dump by their parents simply because they were born as a girl.
To speak for men who are abused, raped, molested – men who go through all this, yet are told quite simply to “man up.”
To free child soldiers; those forced to submit to a government consisting of terrorists, fanatic militants; those bound to the heinous cycle of human trafficking – trapped in a world void of life itself; and those denied their basic rights.
To speak for those living in an inescapable nightmare, merely surviving; for those who are innocent and undeserving of such a reality.

I believe in love that isn’t afraid to give food to the homeless; to befriend lonely, abandoned people; to smile at strangers walking languidly, melancholically on the street; that isn’t afraid to give oneself wholeheartedly to the cause of being the change they want to see in this world.
Love that isn’t afraid of the perceptions, taunts, or habitual repugnancy of society; that isn’t afraid to die in the fight for freedom; that isn’t afraid to stand for those who are misused and abused.
Love that isn’t afraid to take the time to care.
Love that is pure. Simple. Generous.

I believe in love because when I was tormented by death and depression, it gave me joy.
Because when I had given up on myself, it continued to push me forward, to tell me that I was more than enough.
Because when I had built a catafalque for myself, it had built me a palace to dwell in, a place to call my own.
Because when I had chained myself to my shame, my failures and all my sins, it set me free and filled my soul with beauty instead.
I believe in love because it is what saved me; it is why I am sitting here typing this.
It’s why my soul rejoices within me; it’s why my heart continues to beat and my lungs continue to fill with the air I breathe.
It’s why I believe in it so truly, so madly, and so deeply.
But above all else, it’s why I have more than a million reasons to live and to love.

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23 thoughts on “A Million Reasons to Live and to Love

  1. Dear Vanessa,

    WOW. Just WOW. The parallelism you utilized to convey the significance of love, flowed beautifully with the tone and voice of your piece.Your visual was also well chosen in regards to how you portrayed love. The different perspective you introduced through the light of love itself was well thought out, and eloquently carried through, as I personally got a good idea of how love can bring change to ones life and others.

    In terms of improvement, I feel as though your title should have been more impactful. To be more specific, the reader sees your title first, and their interpretation of that title is what either reels them in, or causes them to lose interest. At first, I thought love was a very general topic, and so I was not as interested, but when I read your blog I was completely blown away.

    In conclusion, when you said, ” I believe in love because it is what saved me,” I began to wonder how you recognized that love in the most bleakest of moments within your life. Love is a part of our everyday lives, however, to find love in the face of adversity, and hold on to it, is often very difficult to do. Was their something specific that you had held on to? Something that spoke to you in the midst of darkness?

    Overall, I am honestly at a loss of words at your writing. It’s beyond beautiful.

    Sincerely,
    Sania

    1. I agree with Sania completely – I too was blown away by your ideas and style Vanessa. Sania, this sentence in your comment – in terms of idea and style – is gorgeous – “Love is a part of our everyday lives, however, to find love in the face of adversity, and hold on to it, is often very difficult to do. Was their [there] something specific that you had held on to? Something that spoke to you in the midst of darkness?”

    2. Dearest Sania and Ms. Hunnisett,
      Thank you so, so much!
      Now that you have pointed it out, Sania, I agree strongly with the idea you brought up about titling my blog post. Thank you for such meaningful, impactful feedback.
      As for finding and holding onto love in the midst of adversity, I really found love in my faith/religion. It was something that was embedded within me from a young age, yet I never truly clung to it – or payed it any attention, for that matter – until I was put in a situation where it was tested. As well, I think I recieved plenty of love from my friends and my family – that was a love that was quite easy to hold onto.

  2. Dear Vanessa,
    I am Luis from the International School of Panama and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class. I am in awe with the way you conveyed and unified all of your ideas. I really liked how you introduced the idea, but further embraced it into your own life. I thought that was really clever and overall amazing. Like the above comments, WOW. My question to you is, What was the specific love, or examples of love that helped you through your tough times?

    1. Dearest Luis,

      Thank you so much for the kind comments! I am both honored and touched that you have enjoyed my piece.
      In regards to your question – I think for me, I found a tangible source of love in religion and God. A specific example would be a time when I was sitting in church and just became completely overwhelmed with a multitude of feelings – mostly love. It was that day I realized that I am loved by the Master of the Universe and to this day I am still in awe of that. That, as well, was when I was able to truly comprehend the value of my life and my voice.

      Thank you again.

      Kind regards,
      Vanessa

  3. Hello, I’m Daniella Uzcategui from the International School of Panama and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class. I really liked the way you explained the meaning of love, not by the way people feel when they are with another person, but the way we stand up for things and the way we show the love through actions. I really liked the way you organized your essay, by making the reader keep on reading, giving your opinions within what is love. The most impacting part was when you gave your personal experience, because it caused a different point of view and it was a great way of ending your essay. I liked the fact that you described love so powerful that it can impact every aspect in life. I would like to know in what ways were you able to find love, and how were you inspired to write this impacts upon love. Overall I really liked your essay, I believe it will impact so many people and change their way of seeing life.

    1. Dearest Daniella,

      I am so incredibly honored that you believe this piece will impact people and that you have taken the time to read and comment on my piece! Thank you very much for your touching words.
      As for how I was able to find love – I think that I found love tangibly when I was sitting in a church in Dubai listening to the pastor preach and witnessing the actions of those in that building. I was overwhelmed with over a million feelings and emotions. But I was mostly overwhelmed with the thought that I am loved more than the birds in the sky, that I was more beautiful than the flowers that flourish in the fields. I was able to see how valuable my life was, and I would say that love taught me that.
      I was inspired to write this when I was thinking about the novel Night by Elie Wiesel and the events that are occuring in our world. I was shocked by the fact that no one was doing anything, and somehow, that led to me writing this.

      Kind regards always,
      Vanessa

  4. Hello! I’m Stephanie Boyd from the International School of Panama and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class. We had been assigned to look at posts and develop comments about the descriptive essay, and i don’t know why but the look of this blog encouraged me to read it. And my mind was blown. You are an amazing writer, and you style is incredibly honest and inspiring. My favourite part of the blog was your repeating phrase, “But pure, simple, generous love.” Which did a lot more than add to the word count, it gave meaning to the piece. It put the blog together unifying the ideas and making it easier to read and understand your points. This blog is one of my favourites because it doesn’t only tell a story about you, but also about the world. Though i was wondering, what inspired you to write about such topic? And are you searching for the kind of love you describe, or do you already have it in your life?

    1. Dearest Stephanie,

      I am sincerely touched. Thank you a million times over for such heart-warming words – they truly mean the world to me. I’m overjoyed that you have enjoyed by blog post so thoroughly.

      I was inspired to write about this topic as I was thinking about the events which occured in the novel Night by Elie Wiesel – those thoughts eventually led me to think about the ongoing events in our world. I constantly wonder why we live in a world in which people turn their backs to the suffering of others; it’s been a topic I have always been passionate about. I suppose you could say that it’s one that has been very prevalent in my own life.
      I believe that I already have the love I discuss in my life, though it has the potential to grow even deeper and become more powerful. There’s always room for growth when it comes to such things.

      Thank you once again; you have truly touched me with your words.

      Kind regards,
      Vanessa

  5. Hello, I’m Daniela Hwang from the International School of Panama and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class.
    Thank you, for redefining the term ‘love’. Thank you for broadening the range of lovers. Your fresh, unusual definition of love is profound and meaningful.
    Unlike the complex, cumbersome impression that love might usually convey, your perspective of love was completely mind-blowing. It was touching that you included the current problematic situations of the world— child abuse, abandoning innocent people and emphasized it to highlight your definition of love.
    Another thing that I admire is your balanced essay. One of the factors of it must be the sentence structure. The sentence structure especially when defining love was balanced, and even somewhat rhythmic. Moreover, the fact that you included your personal experience as a contribution of your perspective love was interesting, leaving us a lingering imagery. (Did your experience inspire you to think of your perspective of love?)Additionally, since you stated your main viewpoint, “a million reasons to live and to love” at the first and the end of your essay, it created stability and balance.

    1. Dearest Daniela,

      I am deeply moved by your heartfelt words and I’m so thankful that you have enjoyed my blog post. Thank you so, so much for such kind and meaningful feedback!

      My experiences always bring me back to the idea of love that I’ve presented, but I don’t think it was my own experiences that have inspired me to write this. Rather, when I was thinking about the novel Night by Elie Wiesel and the events going on around the world the idea to write this came to me. I think the one thing that impacts me the most is the idea that we, as humans, have the ability to watch events on the news and let them break our hearts, but we don’t have the ability to do something about these events.

      Thank you once again for the kind words!

      Kind regards always,
      Vanessa

  6. Hey Vanessa, this is Dalia Salama from the International School of Panama, I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class. I completely believe in you and I feel like love is what makes the world a better place and makes everyone keep fighting for something or someone. In your essay you give many examples as to how love helps everyone in different ways, and makes everyone keep fighting for a better world. I agree about love appearing in different ways and helping everyone individually. But I believe that if everyone would share a bit of love all around the world then the world will be a very peaceful place and a happier place where people want to fight for something better. I would like to know what kind of love has helped you out the most.

    1. Dearest Dalia,

      Firstly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog – I am humbled. I agree very strongly with the point you have made; I only wish that everyone could see what a difference love can make.

      As for the kind of love which has helped me out the most – I don’t think there is a certain ‘kind’ that has helped me. Yes, love in the form of God and faith has pushed me to keep going, but love in many other forms – friends doing little things to show me they care, affirming words, hugs, family reminding me of my value – has also pushed me forward. I feel as though I would be degrading love if I were to say only a certain kind has helped me, thus, I would rather say that love has functioned as one entity to rescue me.

      Thank you so much for your comment – I truly appreciate the words you have said.

      Kind regards,
      Vanessa

  7. Dear Vanessa,

    My name is Lara from the International School of Panama and I absolutely love your essay. Your style of writing is amazing and unique, it captured my attention completely. I also liked how you defined love and I agree with your opinion. If everyone just gave a little bit of that pure love to the world we would be a better place. Your writing is just amazing!

    1. Dearest Lara,

      I can’t thank you enough for these heartfelt words – I am so humbled that you love my blog post! I am glad that I was able to capture your attention and draw you into the message I presented. How I wish that everyone on this earth would see what love can do!

      Kind regards always,
      Vanessa

  8. Hey Vanessa, I’m Maria Paula Marquez from the International School of Panama, and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours Class. I really enjoyed your essay, and wanted to congratulate you for such a beautiful work of art. I think the way you structured it, by first explaining which type of love you were referring to, and then connecting it with modern day issues, and finally focusing on how love has helped your life and why it has given you reasons to believe was really effective for the reader to fully grasp your message. Your essay was very touching, and your diction was really effective since it contributed to the heartfelt feeling your essay gives out. I’m really amazed and sincerely tell you that it’s writing like this that motivates me to write stories on my own, with the hope that it can transmit as much power to someone as your essay transmitted to me.

    1. Dearest Maria,

      Wow… I am so overwhelmed and overjoyed that you feel this way about my blog post. It’s impactful, heartfelt words like yours that push me to keep writing. Thank you a million times over for taking the time to read and comment on my blog – it truly means the world to me.

      Kind regards always and thank you once again,
      Vanessa

  9. Hello Vanessa!
    This is Sofi, from the International School of Panama. I am currently in Mr. Avelar’s English honours class. There is only one word that came to mind while I was reading your piece; INCREDIBLE. I really admire the way how you were able to prove your point just by simply stating current events around the world, and how accurately you wrapped them around the topic of love and how its the best solution for the issues around the world. The best part of it all was how you then briefly expressed your own experience with love, and how many times it saved you from despair. I am really interested to know how love impacted you in such a way. I hope you are doing well!

    1. Dearest Sofi,

      Thank you so very much for your heart-warming words and for reading my blog post!

      I think love became tangible to me when I was sitting in a church listening to the pastor preach and witnessing the love that flowed through the actions of the members of the congregation. As I said in reply to Daniella: I was overwhelmed with over a million feelings and emotions. But I was mostly overwhelmed with the thought that I am loved more than the birds in the sky, that I was more beautiful than the flowers that flourish in the fields. It was then that it hit me how valuable my life is and how vital love is in creating change in the lives of people. I found love in its essence in God and in my faith, and I found the branches of love in the actions and words of my friends and family.

      I, too, hope you are doing well and thank you so much once again!

      Kind regards always,
      Vanessa

  10. Hi Vanessa! My name is Sofia Cardenas and I’m from the International School of Panama and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class! I love your original use of the world ‘love’, naturally we believe love only comes in the way of loving someone else, however you have developed a creative twist to its definition. I also think your essay transmits a wonderful feeling of compassion (and love, of course) to anyone who may have the privilege to read it. I like that it is far from repetitive, you have a broad use of different examples to support your point. For instance, you talked about child abuse, terrorism and other evils in the world that love can detain at any cost. In addition, I love how you transmit the use of love as something some simple that can be used in everyday life just through moral support. I would like to ask you Vanessa, what is the type of love you see the world is lacking of the most?

    1. Dearest Sofia,

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting such impactful words on my blog post – I am not only honored, but humbled that you have enjoyed my piece!

      I believe that the world is lacking love in its essence and that there isn’t simply a certain type which is lacking. The essence of love is action – not words – and that is exactly what this world needs. We need to act on the events happening around us instead of feeling pity and commenting on how saddening ongoing events are. We need to raise our voices for those who are stranded in circumstances where they cannot seem to find theirs. We need to take action and give strength to those who have lost all hope. Yet, we need not to do this in an extravagant way as it is often the small things which go a long way.

      Thank you once again for your touching comment!

      Kind regards always,
      Vanessa

  11. Hello, I’m Antonio Tabash from the International School of Panama and I’m in Mr. Avelar’s English 10 Honours class! Let me start telling you Vanessa what an amazing writer you are and after finishing this amazing article i would like to say to you that i think this is one of the best if not the best articles written about why to live and why to love. I really loved how you introduced the idea of love by giving examples of what wasn’t love. I also really liked how you said that love is the answer since love is more than faith and hope. One question i would like to ask you is why do you think love could be the answer to most if not all of the problems we have today and why did you right about this complex topic.

    1. Dearest Antonio,

      Thank you very, very much for such a heart-warming comment; I’m so grateful that you’ve taken the time to read and comment on my blog post!

      In regards to your question: I believe that virtues such as courage, faith, generosity, as so on spring from love. When an individual has love, it’s hard for them to keep silent about the things which matter, those things which ache their hearts.

      I was inspired to write about love when I was reading the novel Night by Elie Wiesel as well as thinking about the events that are occurring in our world today. It broke my heart that we, as humans, have the ability to remain silent when we know about the atrocities that go on around us… So I wrote this. Quite simply put, love in relation to world events has always been something I’ve been passionate about.

      Thank you once again for your comment – I’m truly humbled by your words.

      Kind regards,
      Vanessa

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