It might be hard for some to live as simply as possible, without unnecessary possessions, cellphone, clothes. I was shocked to hear that a famous Hollywood actress was doing this. Shailene Woodley could have bought a house with her Divergent paycheck, but instead she gave away all of her belongings. “I cruised and I hung out with my friends and family. I got rid of everything I owned I got rid of my cell phone, and I fit my life into a carry-on suitcase and I just couch surfed for two months. It was awesome.” Woodley stated. I hope this can have an impact on others as well, and inspire them to live without a lot of unnecessary possessions. Sometimes we focus on material worth instead of what is important. -Love Sara Alina http://saraalina.com/live-simply/

Last summer Dallas Police Department “responded to a burglary in progress,” and shot an unarmed teen. Police claim to have found 19-year-old Gerardo Pinedo Jr. inside the house and ordered him to come outside and lie on the ground. Police say he did that briefly, and then charged at officer Jamal Robinson, who fired once, killing Pinedo. Family members disagree with how the police events occurred and have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Dallas and the two officers involved. The father of Pinedo Jr. contests that his son was violently confronted by officers Jamal Robinson and Mark Meltabarger. “During this time either Defendant Robinson or Defendant Meltabarger tased Pinedo Jr. in the back and the other continued the assault, “the suit says, before “delivering at least one fatal gunshot wound to the chest.” Autopsy reports that Pinedo Jr. may have been shot more than once; medical examiners found two-gunshot wounds-one on his chest and one on his hand. If the details are true in the lawsuit, this is a senseless murder on behalf of the Dallas Police Department. My heart goes out to the family of the victim. -Love Sara Alina http://saraalina.com/defenseless-teen-shot/

Many teens struggle with their body image and what is constantly pumped out through the media of what we should look like. Recently it was National Eating Disorder week here in the U.S., and it is a good opportunity to raise awareness on the issue. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, as well as binge eating disorder, characterized by binging without the act of purging. In the US alone, it is estimated that about 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder). Unfortunately, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any identified mental illness. Eating disorders are classified as a psychiatric illness, and there isn’t a one size fits all remedy or a preventive strategy. It’s important for all who are suffering from an eating disorder to reach out and get the help they need. Hopefully we can change the way we view ourselves to a more positive way instead of negative. -Love Sara Alina http://saraalina.com/body-image/

After high school it is expected that you are to attend college, but for some young girls that isn’t always the case. Young girls are finding it easier to having a baby because they receive government support, then attending college. That’s the case in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles County. Pregnant girls have several resources available to assist: WIC, Planned Parenthood, and the Family Resource Center. They aren’t services to assist those in college, no places available to get college or career advice and assistance. A young mother in the Watts neighborhood said there was an easier way than to struggle through college. “You should get pregnant,” she told me. “Girl, the government will take care of you, trust me.” The trouble with assistance programs is that they reinforce a cycle of poverty without offering young people a chance to attend college without having to get pregnant. I hope changes can be made to these assistance programs and give young girls a chance to attend college with the support that they need. -Love Sara Alina http://saraalina.com/pregnancy-college/

When George Dennehy was a young boy, he never dreamed he would spend his time as a motivational speaker and a musician. This teenager has overcome the odds to accomplish his dream. George was born without arms and his condition was “viewed as a curse,” he says. So his parents turned him over to the orphanage where he became malnourished. As fate would intervene, a newsletter from Bethany Christian Services shared his story and eventually, a family in America adopted George. From the beginning his adoptive parents noticed the musical abilities he had. “When I was 8 years old … my mom decided to sign me up for cello lessons and I started playing,” he says, admitting that he “didn’t really enjoy it.” His musical teacher helped him adapt his disability in order to be able to play with his feet. When George started high school playing the cello wasn’t “so cool”, so he picked up the guitar with ease. George says his primary message is one for others to overcome their challenges. “Despite what situation you’re in, anything is possible. It is so easy to want to give up and throw in the towel in life sometimes. But we shouldn’t do that. There’s more that is meant for us,” he says. “God has a purpose for every one of us.” This is such an amazing story of hope, and truly proves that you can overcome any obstacle. Music has had an impact on me, and I love reading stories how music has helped others. -Love Sara Alina http://saraalina.com/anything-possible/