Everything, Everything

All The Bright Places

What are the meanings of life? Surely, this question has bewildered everyone, as we all explore this unknown world while questioning its own purposes. To me, life is a force of energy that powers up the universe. It's a sacred gift presented to us, with endless possibilities leading to different outcomes. Nonetheless, there are still some who remain skeptical of this viewpoint and those who seem to have succumbed to their wounds and give up on hope. All The Bright Places is a terrific narration of the pursuit of love and the will to live. It's a resilient story that dealt with such themes as loss, love, death, and the courage to live boldly.

As we were transported to the vivid world of the story, we found ourselves witnessing a heartbreaking love story of two teenagers both struggling with their own demons. Theodore, on one hand, was turbulent and emotional, as his fascination with death cast a shadow on his life. To hold his depression at bay, he endeavored to pursue something worth living for. Soon, his quiet, solitary life intersected with that of Violet, who survived a tragic car accident claiming her sister’s life. Devastated and tormented by the tragedy and her survivor’s guilt, she shunned the world and couldn’t wait for the end of her tedious high school life. They found long-lost comfort and love in each other, and everything seemed to get back on track. Theodore was found to be a humorous and adventurous Joe, while Violet’s solace in writing granted her a platform to express herself.

Nevertheless, the story took a sharp and depressing turn, as the couple was forced to be separated by their parents, like star-crossed lovers in ancient tragedies. Theodore’s mental condition deteriorated, driving him to ostracize himself from his family and Violet. Tortured by the insurmountable loneliness, he grievously chose to end his life. Violet, despite being initially defeated and hurt, regained love and courage when she wandered around the town using a map with landmarks and spots marked by Theodore. She was once panicked and uncertain of what the future might hold; notwithstanding, she plucked up her courage and strove to live with her scars. The traces he left and the love they mutually owned encouraged her to step out of the shadows of her past trauma, to embrace the ebb and flow of her life, and to live in the moments.

Indeed, our path of life may be covered in thorns, yet we often neglect the fact that pain is another unavoidable and crucial aspect of life as we march towards our goals. Still, the unspeakable agony, the fear of failure, and the possible shame brought to them, all contribute to why some choose not to take a leap of faith and pursue their dreams. Throughout the story, what spurred Violet onto her own path was love. And as a matter of fact, love was the key to many obstacles that lay in our tracks. It exists in various forms, be it friendship or family support. I firmly hold that life is a journey that comprises numerous challenges and battles. That is, it’s a stormy and bumpy trail with defeats, pains, and frustrations. Regardless, what truly matters is the strength you find in love that assists you in overcoming the ordeals in the array of grayness and eventually, you no longer fear when the raging storm nears. Rather, you proudly wage a war of your own and fight with no compromise.

So, embark on a journey of your own as you exile yourself from the hustle and bustle of the world. You may find yourself badly scarred at the end of the dark tunnel, but somehow you also manage to find the affections that accompany you, come what may. Beholding the sunrise as your journey comes to an end, you’ll begin to realize your own definition of life and surrender to the beauty of it, while shining to the brightest in the twilight zone.