New School

Hi All!! So kind of surprised I got an email already! I mentioned the idea to a friend of mine, who then posted the link to this blog on Pinterest and I guess someone saw it :) I got a really sweet and inspiring email (posted below) from a young girl in Calgary who just started her first year of high school this past September - she showed that simple gestures can make a difference! Share and enjoy! xx

"Hi! I came across this post on Pinterest and thought I'd look it over. Just wanted to send a quick email to say I really appreciate someone doing something like this. 

I'm a freshman in high school and my first semester has been okay so far. I didn't really have a set group of friends going into high school and was hoping to make some here. Luckily I have met a few nice kids! I'm finding out that there are a lot of different types and groups of kids here because the school is bigger than my elementary school. I was able to make friends with some of the nice "popular" kids and I'm lucky because I'm not really bullied at all. 

But I was not "popular" in elementary school so I know how it can feel to be left out. After seeing so many kids my age get hurt emotionally and physically by bullying I wanted to try and change that. I've started to do some small things, like asking if some of the girls who don't really have a group of friends to hang out with want to join us. The good thing is that my group of girls doesn't have a problem with this and are on the same page as me!

I think we need to try and get more kids to do things like this because it made us realize how nice some people actually are, even though they might be shy at first. Just wanted to share that story because not only did it make me feel like I was making a difference, but it was nice to know that we made a difference for someone else too!"

"Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!" - Dr. Seuss

Start a Movement.

Okay, so, here's the deal: this is getting a little bit ridiculous. The fact that kids are afraid to go to school, afraid of being shut out by people or afraid of being physically hurt.

This is ridiculous.

I hear about and read about stories of teens committing suicide because of the ridicule they receive from people around them, because of their looks, feelings or life choices. Since when were people given the right to judge upon things such as these so harshly? Someone, please, let me know if I missed something, because last time I checked, we're all equals. And as preachy and soul-searching as that may sound, it's the truth. There's no grey area here.

Now sure I obviously don't expect everyone to like all the same things and be best friends with everyone, that's just not realistic. There are so many different sports, TV shows, movies, music genres, etc., and it is impossible for everyone to like everything. People like different things. No one person is alike, and frankly, if we were, the world would be pretty damn boring.

So I guess my question is, why in the hell do some judge so harshly? From the spoken bullying to the physical, there is absolutely no need. I want to go back to high school and shake some sense into these kids. I am so fortunate as to never have experienced anything like the bullying there is today while I was in high school, most likely because I didn't have as much social media around me as kids to today. Keep in mind that I'm not a preachy parent, I'm a post graduate business student… and at 23, even I still feel the pressures of "fitting in". I get it.

I wish I had the power to change things. To step in and say "why are you doing this?". Especially to those who judge on sexuality. I can't speak from experience, but I have had many friends who have struggled with their sexuality. I understand there are people out there who are living by exact words from their religion or strict upbringing and you have your beliefs and ways of life. But do others criticize you for what you want or believe in? Do others shame you or tell you you are worthless because you behave a certain way? Do you not want to live your life in peace and hope the same for others? Shame on you for judging those people you know nothing about. Shame on you for labeling them as horrible people, when more often than not, they're the best people I know. Did your parents or guardians not tell you to love everyone for who they are? Their lives are none of your business. Put yourself in their shoes, I mean, it's what we've all been taught since preschool.

Times have changed. We now have new technologies and social media. Kids were able to go home after school and escape any bullies they might have encountered that day. Today, they go home to the internet, where cyber bullying is even worse. People should not be afraid to live their lives. Especially the kids in high school who desperately want to fit in. Believe me, it gets better. Now lets let the posts of positivity flow. Let the joy back in and empower those who need it. Don't be afraid to be yourself, because you are the best version of you. Don't let others tell you how to live. Don't let the media tell you how to look. Don't let the "popular" kids tell you how to behave. Go and sit with the shy girl by herself, pick the short boy first in gym class. Start a movement. Trust me, those people won't forget that two minute casual conversation.

Just my two cents, now send me yours, dea.uru@gmail.com
xx