A Life Lesson on How to Live

i.

Learn how to hear when there is no sound. Listen to the last heartbeats of a dead man, for they will tell you how to hold on, and how to let go, but you are the only one that can choose between the two. Hear the sorrow of a silent criminal at a confessional, because it can tell you where the line is and how to cross, but it's up to you to decide if you want to or not. Listen to the chemistry between two lovers and you will learn how to appreciate the love in everything people do.

ii.

Uncover how to see in the darkness, because it's a whole lot more important than anyone ever expects. Look at the hues of red in the night sky and the neon colors beneath the snow and they will show you that what you see is what you get, but not everything is what it seems. See the emptiness that shines from fake smiles and you will realize that everybody lies. Look at the world with your eyes closed and determine that this is the only way you will ever be able to see. Now decide if you want to or not.

iii.

Figure out how to taste with your mouth closed, because it will be a lot harder to with your mouth open when your tongue is tied in such bad knots you can't even talk. Swallow down the taste of emotional pain and hurt and agony and you will learn it tastes a lot like blood and salt water. Now it's up to you to decide if you want to live with the taste or wash it down with too sweet juice and fake mint toothpaste. But always remember to taste the feeling of joy floating around the air surrounding you, for it will teach you how to appreciate every smile thrown your way and every laugh you share.

iv.

Prepare yourself to smell when your nose is so filled with smoke and debris that you wouldn't even be able to breathe if you tried. Sniff the scent of regrets held on to for so long, they've gotten stale and musty and weigh down so hard that they feel like the weight of the world. It will teach you how to forgive yourself and forgive others, but you have to determine if you want to forget or not. Smell the horror that leaks out of your body and grasp that sometimes you only get two options - fight or flight.

v.

Learn how to feel with your heart, because it will tell you everything you will ever need to know. Feel love and hate and sadness and joy and everything in between, because they will teach you how to unlock the door that conceals your heart and how to unwrap the chains you use to keep it bolted to the floor. They will teach you how to live.