To Each His Own Emotion

In reference to John Donne's "No Man is An Island" poem, I must say I completely agree.  I feel as though no person may exist completely on their own.  If someone lives alone, or is an agoraphobic, they still have contact with the outside world.  They read literature or go on the internet.  In some way, they are connected to the rest of the human race.  We are all connected.  That is my strong belief.  Everyone does at least one thing in their life to change the life of another.  No man is an island.
Contrary to this poem, Jean-Paul Sartre's quote "Hell is other people" is not something I believe.  Though information about Sartre does not portray him as a pessimist, I do not believe someone who was particularly happy with everything going on in their life would say such a thing.  I think something happened to Sartre, such as a failed relationship or betrayal by a friend, to make him think so negatively of other human beings.

Loneliness Quote:

"We're all walking around with these glossy eyes.  "I'm just tired," we say.  But you know what?  It's bullshit.   Yes, we are tired, but it's not all from lack of sleep.  We are tired of waking up with nothing to look forward to, tired of going to bed exhausted after doing a million things we find no enjoyment in doing.  We're tired of this void, this emptiness that looms over us even though our days are packed.  We're tired of the loneliness that presses down on us even though we're surrounded by dozens of people.  So why can't we just say it?  Humans are so afraid to look into each other's eyes and say "I am unhappy, I am broken, I am hopeless and fallible."  We've been conditioned to associate pain with weakness, sadness with coldness, loneliness with unworthiness, difference with disease, as if these feelings are contagious, as if ambivalence is something not to be felt but to be feared.  Well, I say screw all of that.  Screw forced smiles and polite handshakes and I'm find, thank yous.  Screw the fear of crying in a public place, screw the fake chipper voice, screw the lies we spit out to cover up our problems.  We are humans.  We are meant to feel.  To feel everything and to feel it all openly.  We are not metal - we are flesh and bone.  Our boiled blood courses through our cold, clammy hands.  We are intricate and beautiful and we should never hide our human parts, because if we do, then what's left to show?"

-Unknown

This quote really hit home for me.  I used to feel this type of tired.  I know I have no reason to.  My life is wonderful; I have an amazing family, amazing friends, absolutely no hardships.  I could have it so much worse.  To be perfectly honest, I only felt this way because I would see all of my friends with their boyfriends, happy, content, and I would feel pity for myself.  I wondered what was wrong with me.  I knew what was wrong with me.  I did not look the part of a girlfriend.  I was weird and annoying and destined to live alone forever.  I would spend my time listening to songs like "Tired" by Kelly Price.  I felt alone.  I could not find the energy to go through the day, and my smiles felt so fake and forced.  Then I realized, however cliche it may be, that I did not need a man to complete me.  That was probably the most powerful epiphany I have ever had, and after it, my life changed for the better.  I no longer feel this lonely void.  I am happy.

Happiness Quote:

"I am beautiful no matter what they say
Words can't bring me down
I am beautiful in every single way
Yes, words can't bring me down
So don't you bring me down today"

-Christina Aguilera

This quote from her popular song "Beautiful" is both heart-lifting and inspiring.  This song means a lot to me.  I used to have really horrible self-esteem issues, and this song, including others such as "Fear" by Jazmine Sullivan, helped me overcome said issues.  It made my outlook on life more positive.  I started being more optimistic.  I began to believe more in myself and what I can accomplish.