Set the scene: a newly turned nineteen-year-old out in Chinatown living his best life. A rendition of Solange‰’s “Cranes in the Sky‰” is being played on a trumpet in the background. The street is abuzz with the usual excitement that comes along with the Capital One Area having an event.

This day, my birthday, was already proving to be peak “me‰Û. Crab legs were consumed the night before, I had countless quality conversations with the people that are growing to be what the Fockers would coin as my “inner circle‰Û, and I was being showered with gifts and admiration. The perfect storm, if you will.

We walked through security and presented our tickets. “Beep‰” blurted out from the code reader, but it wasn‰’t the good kind of “Beep‰Û. Or, at least we thought it wasn‰’t.

The ticket reader alerted us, “You guys have been upgraded.‰Û

What a time to be alive. We were moved from the nose bleeds to the floor for Lana Del Rey and Kali Uchis! We went from viewing from Alaska to being literally only a few feet away from the stage for free. A birthday miracle.

Ethereal is the best way I can describe the entire experience. My friend cried, we shout-sang with strangers to turned into new friends, and watched a girl puke in the middle of the crowd. All whilst watching one of the most aesthetically pleasing artists of our time.

The stage proved versatile with the inclusion of beach chairs, a swing number, and at one Lana just laid right down on the stage and sang. We were all collectively transported to another time and place. Lana was able to fit in a few her fan favorites along with the newest addition to her album catalogue: Lust For Life. Lana, the entire band, and dancers put on timely, understated show that seemed to keep everyone in a trance. I have never been to a concert where the crowd didn‰’t try to trample each other with the act was performing. Everyone just seemed happy to be enjoying the moment with each other; a true rarity in today‰’s society.

It was in the crowd, swaying to “Ultraviolence‰” and sidestepping away from vomit, that I realized that this is how I should strive to live every day. Yes, a stretch, but think about it. If you are not pushing the bounds of your existence and the people and experiences within it on a regular basis, how are you ever going to grow? So many people today wonder around aimlessly, thinking their passion is going strike them over the head someday. In reality, you have to fight for it. For me, it‰’s following what makes me happy and taking the hits and the rewards that follow suit. What‰’s yours?