Rose Tinted Glasses: How to live Romantically - Realistically.

Rose Tinted Glasses: How to live Romantically - Realistically. 

Romanticism and realism in one sentence - it sounds like one ridiculous contradiction. 

Romanticism isn't just something for  the people lucky enough to fall madly, deeply in love with each other- it is a concept of how to love life even with it's great obstacles, negativities and cynicism's. 

Ever listened to a Jack Johnson song? Suggest if you haven't got at least one on your itunes; take a trip over to youtube and find yourself one to listen to right after you read this. If that doesn't suit you; The Beatles - "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Norwegian Wood", The La's "There she goes" or; if those still doesn't tickle your fancy - last but not least, early Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras "I'll be seeing you". But honestly, keep it simple. Jack Johnson has the answers.

Rose Tinted Glasses; a phrase pinned on the back of 1960s revolutionary hippie "lovalution". Mostly because people did in fact, literally wear rose tinted sunglasses. At the time, a cloud of drugs and free-love. Understandably, we can't exactly call a life of living in a complete "ignorance is bliss, make love man" state of mind - realistic. So, lets take the rose tint to a more practical, reasonable way of day-to-day functioning. Not to mention; attempting to recreate a bygone era - no matter how hard you try, is contrived. 

There are many reasons to look at this world with a cold, heavy exterior. And whether most people know it or not - most people do. We live in a time where relationships (love and otherwise) are considered commodities, breakable and replaceable. An entire generation of people who, add, approve, like other people based on an online appearance and presence - whether it be hand held, laptop or desk top. For every one person - there are twenty others to turn to in their absence. Loyalty is hard to find as there is a fine line between what is ethical and and what isn't. Work hours get longer, true - love becomes rare and being honest, open and kind is considered a weakness.

So really, what is there to be romantic about?

Well, you don't, we don't, have to be that way. Ever just think; "no"? "I refuse". "I will not lose the fundamental qualities that make me human - I will not devolve." 

When we wake up in the morning. Wake up, for one - remember how lucky we are just to be breathing. Then, instead of turning to your phone to check any one of your various social media feeds; call the first person you thought about when you woke up. Say good morning, tell them you were thinking of them. How will it hurt you? It won't. If you have someone in bed next to you - hold them, kiss them, make them breakfast. When you get to work everyday. Say hello to everyone. Smile, even on a bad day; life isn't that bad. When you walk down the street; look up, look around you. Notice things; take photographs with your mind. 

On the weekend; it's ok to miss a day at the gym. Spend that time with someone you care about. The gym is always going to be there. The people may not. Tell them everything you're thinking. Let your guard down, why do you need a shield? What are you protecting yourself from? Do not push good people away. 

Spend time outdoors; whenever you can. Connect with nature. As sexy and moody as it can be to be in a club. It's smoke and mirrors. You want to feel the clear light of day and what we were put on this earth to experience. Develop a relationship with the earth and you will respect it and appreciate it for everything is has to offer. Don't be pretentious about it. Take care of the earth and the earth will take care of you. 

Learn to live a lifestyle totally non reliant on anything. Realistically, money is required to live in this day and age. But do not let money dictate your worth, behavior or the people you attract. It could all be gone tomorrow. Do not spend time with people because of their clothes, looks or belongings. Spend time with people based on how they make you feel. Learn to feel again. It is hard to feel when we live in a culture that is hell-bent on creating technological distances between us. Take risks. They may not work; but you tried. It's better than playing it safe and never knowing. And hey, it's 50/50. It may work out perfectly. Nothing is impossible. You want your dream job? You want to make a difference to the world? You want to invent something? Why can't you do it...throughout history and present time people are doing those things; as I type. So do it. BE SPONTANEOUS. You want Love? Start living Love. 

There is no cookie-cut rule book, "how to" live life romantically. But it is quite simple. Simplify yourself. Find happiness, joy and warmth from attainable actions, emotions and people. Once you start doing that..you'll notice a rose tinted glaze over a world that yes, in many ways has been tainted - environmentally, politically and within humanity. But for all the negatives, there are small pockets of romance; and they are all within you.

"Peace and Love" starting with you.