Every once in a while,a situation presents itself to you, and in so doing, however unwittingly, that situation tests your resolve, challenges your moral fiber and forces you to examine (or re-examine) your values.
When things like these happen, one of two things may be the result: you will try to ignore the situation until it absolutely HAS to command your attention, or you will rush to a decision so that you don't have to think about it for too long. I have a theory about why these two possible reactions are so prevalent. And here it is:
There are simply not enough moments in a teenager's day to give the appropriate attention to the notion of what he or she values. Not to mention the word itself, values, is such an abstract term that who really has to time to ponder its meaning AND the implications AND live the life of a carefree kid?
So, as a result of my theory, this blog question was born. I would like you to really let the questions I am presenting here have some time to marinate so that you can reach a deeper level of understanding.
What DO you value? Please don't say things such as "friends, family, or iPhone6 plus in rose gold." Those things are just that--things (yes, even the people). While they have surface value, they are not what I am talking about. Why? Because, in order to get to the deeper understanding of yourself and your actual values, you have to ask yourself WHY you consider those things valuable. We already know the selfish answer to what makes the people in our lives valuable--we need them. That's why I don't want you to list people.
Because, now, you have to ask yourself a two-part, very fundamental question:
1)What makes you so mad you could scream? What fills you with unabashed joy?
and
2)Why do you have those reactions to what you listed?
The sum total of those answers is the amorphous notion of your values.
These are hard questions, and like all hard questions, the answers may take a while to come and you may have to write it as you're thinking about it. Please do so, because I would be willing to bet that all of us could benefit from your thought process as well as your answers.
Buena Suerte.
I do not care much for generalizations. In the given scenario, “one of two things may result: you will try to ignore the situation until it absolutely HAS to command your attention, or you will rush to a decision so that you don't have to think about it for too long...There are simply not enough moments in a teenager's day to give the appropriate attention to the notion of what he or she values.” I offer a third “thing” that may result: the teenager actually thinks about his or her values before they come up outside of thought; what else is there to do when riding the school bus? Socialize? Disgusting. I doubt that there are many teenagers with lives so busy that they have no time to think about their values; if you ride the bus, you have time. If you go to sleep and dream, you have time. If you zone off in class, you have time. Time is not the problem; the problem is that a strive to learn more about oneself may be absent, revealing and, thus, scary, but that strive is not absent with me. I do zone off in class and think about stuff, that stuff sometimes being my values.
ReplyDeleteI am not a communist, but the democrats are too right wing for me. With that said, many of my relatives are die-hard Donald Trump supporters, so we do not mix well when politics come up. This makes me so mad that I could scream, throw a temper tantrum, pull my hair out, and punch someone in their left nostril. I had to spend an hour in a claustrophobia-inducing car with those people as they went on about how abortion is wrong, about how “we”—they speak about their country in the first person, which is funny because the country cares not for them—need to get those raping immigrants out of “our” country, and about how those “silly liberals” dye their armpits blue—I actually found that funny, though. I felt like I was going to pass out; I am pretty sure my face got beat red and I was having trouble breathing, but I was outnumbered. I did not say anything; I held in my hatred until now, when I am pouring it all over this computer. I was enraged and acted the way I did because of my hatred of ignorance, which comes back to my dislike of generalizations, which perpetuate ignorance by providing an obsolete “answer” or scenario. The great philosopher George Carlin said, “Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.” That vehicle was full of, what seemed like to me, stupid people perpetuating their puerility to pass the time and make the world a worse place.
I am happy, sometimes. I was actually happy a few days ago. “Jeopardy!!!” (this blog hates italicizing words) came back on. The season ended over the summer, but season thirty-two is here and better than ever. So why do I love “Jeopardy!!!” so much? Why do I worship Alex Trebek as the messiah? I am so glad you asked! I enjoy learning things; the pursuit of knowledge is the most noble pursuit possible, alongside the pursuit of artistic creation. My hatred lies with ignorance and on the opposite side of that coin, my love lies with knowledge: be it an article about gilded doorknobs or Pakistani politics, I will read it, and I will enjoy it, and my brain will soak up all it can about gilded doorknobs or Pakistani politics, but the brain is not a sponge. A sponge eventually fills up and start leaking water; the brain never does. The brain soaks up as much as possible at a given time, but never becomes wet, as the pursuit for knowledge never dissipates. I took six AP classes this year for that reason. I had two nightmares before school started. In the first one, AP Macroeconomics did not fit into my schedule and I was placed in culinary. In the second one, AP Psychology did not fit into my schedule and I was placed in culinary. The pursuit of knowledge is what brings me joy and is what influences many of my actions, because without knowledge, you are coral, and coral, despite being completely amazing, has no brain.
I agree with you Bryan because us teenagers do have plenty of time to think about various things, such as our values. Just like you said a lot of us daydream during class, while doing homework, or on the bus. Therefore, why not think about our values while we’re daydreaming? Thinking about our values would do us good, right? I also loved your comment about Jeopardy, sometimes when I watch Jeopardy, like you said, I actually learn something that I never knew. Therefore, when watching TV, why not watch something you can learn from?
DeleteI totally agree with you on the notion that all teenagers have time to think about their values. When someone zones off in class, they are thinking about something special since it requires attention. The pursuit of knowledge also brings joy to me since knowledge surrounds us and we know there is an infinite amount knowledge we can gain.
DeleteLove is what I value. And although it may seem like such simple answer that probably is the first thing that pops into everyone's minds when writing this blog, it is also such a vague and ambiguous idea. Love makes the world go round, everyone has heard that saying before and it's true. But I'm not talking about just the type of love you feel for people you're close to, such as a partner, family member, or friend. I'm talking about the kind you feel for yourself and strangers on the street.
ReplyDeleteLove for yourself, and yourself alone is different from the kind you feel for others. It's about knowing your self-worth and accepting who you are without any thoughts or ideas from others around you. I'm not saying that I love myself all the time, because who does. I honestly criticize who I am so many times on a daily basis that it gets tiring. But I do value the idea of it. I value the notion that you can make yourself happy without anyone else's help or opinions, even when you feel the most alone in this world, which everyone does at some point, some more than others. Some people make the nastiest comments about you and it's up to you to tell yourself and make yourself think different. And even when it's hard to believe even yourself, remember what Bunje says, "fake it until you are it". Truthfully, I'm not even close to being "it".
Love for others isn't as terrifying as learning to love yourself, but it's just as valuable. It's not just telling others you care for them. It's showing the common sense of knowing what to and what not to say to people at certain times. It's showing even the simplest manners of opening the door for others and even greeting them in the morning. All in all, it's acknowledging that they're living, breathing human beings just like you, who deserve to be treated as one no matter their social status, uniqueness, etc.
So many people lack the ability to love both ways. Some love themselves without a doubt but are rude and inconsiderate of others. Some mock themselves and beat themselves up in their minds, but find the ability to care and have the best wishes for everyone else wholeheartedly. And I am the latter. I don't share my innermost emotions with others because I'd rather them be happy and ignorant than to know my many problems. And I'm not saying that I dislike myself 100% of the time because that's not true. Making people happy makes me happy. But it doesn't make me love myself. And maybe that's what makes me so mad that I can scream. Just the fact that I know that I'm a good person and know that maybe one day I can do the impossible, but also knowing that I can probably never love myself the way I love others. And maybe that's what fills me with unabashed joy. Knowing that I can love others a thousand times more than I could ever love my own being and in the end be okay with it.
I just perceived love differently. I completely get what you're saying here. Quite frankly, I find myself in your situation A LOT of times. I will make sure that someone is okay and I will bring their spirits up. But here's the catch, I sometimes need my spirits up. But no one would know because I want to radiate happiness and good love, even though I can't do what I'm preaching. I love knowing that I made someone feel 10x better than how they felt before. And I love other people more than I love myself.
DeleteI also believe that it's important to love yourself because there are so many people that let society's opinion of them tear them down. The way you wrote this was really motivating to me because it made me want to appreciate myself more and to put myself first when it comes to loving someone.
DeleteI agree with you 100%! Love can mean so many things, but the one that caught my eye is the, "loving others" part. Just the fact that you're acknowledging their existence is great (Literally wrote my blog post about this). It doesn't even take much to do! We're all human beings!
DeleteIt is perceived that teenagers do not invest substantial thought into decision-making. I do not believe that avoidance and quick solutions are the only two ways we handle issues that we’re presented with. Avoidance, on the surface, is a defense mechanism against judgement. We say “I don’t care, I’ll deal with it later” not to avoid issues, but to avoid misleading questions, drama, and others’ concerning themselves with business that isn’t theirs. It is said that the first decision you make, in terms of situations involving emotions, is the one that’s most true to what you believe should be done. We’ve all heard someone say something like “Go with your gut-feeling”. In addition to these two results, there is the very real possibility that teenagers are actually capable of processing the difference between a good decision and a bad decision, which tends to slip the minds of adults. We’re not inexperienced, especially today. We’re faced with more real-life situations than most of our parents ever were at our age. We aren’t (all) selfish and those of us who do portray that characteristic, whether it is often or rare, aren’t defined by it. In order to protect ourselves, we have to be selfish to some extent. Even adults should understand that (should).
ReplyDeleteIf you can’t already tell, pre-perceived judgment makes me want to scream. Society says that teenagers aren’t intelligent enough to make good decisions. They aren’t experienced enough to be able to walk out of the house without their parents holding their hands every step of the way. They aren’t emotional enough to understand that other people’s emotions matter just as much as their own. All of this, though, is one big assumption. I cannot stand, therefor, being condescended. I never use the word hate, but I absolutely hate being looked at and nodded at but not listened to. It annoys me to no end that every single skinny girl “must be anorexic” and every heavier girl “must be insecure” and that every poor family “must be dirty” etc. It may be cliché, but I hate that we, as humans, have lost the desire to understand other people and have gained the desire to judge them based entirely on stereotypes and appearance. I hate that politics and money and Hollywood are more valued topics of discussion, of debate, than the way that we treat each other as human beings. It seems to me that this should be fixed before anything else even crosses our minds.
A few years ago, I was a very different person than who I am today. Confused as to who I truly was, deprived of a real childhood, and lost, I grew up with a really negative mindset. All I cared about was what others thought of me. However, after a lot of soul searching and spiritual discovery, I have dawned on the fact that positivity along with self-love, intelligence and being true to oneself are vital to a prosperous life. Upon realizing this, I have learned to value life. I value each emotion that we are able to understand, each type of energy we radiate because those feelings are indescribable and therefor more real than any one thing that exists. I value conversations, stories and people in general. I value the necessary hunger for knowledge and for wisdom. I value interaction because people cannot live without people. I value all the little moments in which a moment of someone else’s world triggers a smile. I value every single new experience and every repeating one. I could not care less what people think of me now, because I have chosen to make life my most valuable possession. I value all aspects of it because it is a privilege to exist in the universe. For millions of miles, there is no life besides us and knowing that makes gossip, appearance and expectations seem so insignificant to the definition of who you are. I could never take something like that for granted again because valuing life has made me truly happy (never thought I would be able to say that). My life experiences have revealed to me my true self and my true values and I will forever be grateful for that.
What frustrates you or annoys you the most is usually what you care about the most. For instance, what angers me the most is when people think they are entitled to everything, even without working for it. I am an advocate for hard-workers because of how determined,committed, and enthusiastic they are about either getting good grades, getting a promotion, or simply getting an effortless task done. But once people believe they can receive anything, that is what annoys me because, why do they think they’re so special that they can obtain anything that they want? Also, wouldn’t everyone agree when you work-hard the outcome would be greater and be more meaningful instead of having it handed to you? For example, you having a part-time job; doesn’t your paycheck feel more worthy and substantial because you worked for it? Now since you worked for your money, won’t you now be conscientious about spending and shopping with it?
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, what makes me really happy is being needed or someone asking for my help, advice, or thoughts on the subject. For example, for my EPA class i help out in the REACH room with the REACH kids. All of them are so kind, funny, and down-to-earth, therefore I love helping them with anything they ask me for, either it be writing something on their posters, asking me my opinion on a picture or sentence, or asking me to help them when their assignment gets too challenging. After doing all of that I feel so worthy and meaningful to them that they actually want my guidance. Helping them gives me unabashed joy and brightens my school day.
People with their thoughts of entitlement and me helping people out, such as the REACH students, make me feel the way that I do because I believe my true values are being able to show people their full potential, instead of just handing them my homework to copy. Or getting the feeling of be essential to those kids makes me feel important, and that I can accomplish more in life. As long as those kids still need me, I believe that I can still contribute to others as well. This is what I care about the most.
I absolutely suck at lying, so maybe that’s why I hate deception. It makes me want to rip off my skin whenever someone lies to me because deception is an ugly thing that hurts in the end. I know that some people have good intentions when they lie, such as telling a kid that their pet bunny joined its other bunny friends in the woods when it actually died, but I rather have that person tell me the truth straight to my face rather than fabricating a story. The thing is, I can be pretty oblivious to my surroundings and I’m terrible at picking up social cues, so I end up feeling left out whenever I don’t know something (which happens a lot). That’s why I rather know the truth, even if it ends up hurting me, because the feeling of being left out of the know and being oblivious to a situation is much more painful than anything else. Obviously other deceitful things, such as cheating or the bad kind of lying, make me furious as well because the person intentionally broke my trust. Some people might say, “Well, I couldn’t help it. I had to!”, but they made a choice to deceive me for their own benefit instead of actually talking to me. Lies are never just one lie, they always turn into something bigger. So if someone lied to you, who knows what other things they may have lied to you about too.
ReplyDeleteThe opposite of lies is truth, so at first that’s what I thought I valued. But after some considerations, I figured out that what I value is trust. I don’t hate deception because everybody should do the morally right thing and tell the truth, it’s not like that. I just hate the feeling of having my trust broken, or not being good enough to know whatever it is that a person is hiding from me. When somebody tells me that they trust me, it makes me so happy to know that they believe in me and can rely on me. It’s that feeling of being worthy to someone that’s important to me. It’s not that I don’t love myself, because I do, but I think it’s the way that I was raised that makes me value trust so much. My family isn’t the most affectionate people around, there’s never really any hugs or kisses, so I just kind of have to know that they love me because the phrase, “I love you”, is rarely spoken in the house. That, along with the fact that the word, “useless”, is thrown around like crazy in their unlimited criticism of me (and other family members), made me subconsciously seek out some kind of validation or indicator that I’m trustworthy to someone. Of course, love and trust are not synonymous with each other, but they are related. Often times, it is your loved ones who you trust the most; it is also your loved ones who end up hurting you the most. So the reason why I value trust so much is because of the fact that when two people have a trustworthy bond, despite whatever happens in their relationship, they can always believe in what the other person says to them. It’s the feeling of reliability and certainty that you can only get from trust. It’s different from love because people do crazy things for the sake of love, and it’s such an erratic emotion. You can always lose the love that you have for someone, but when trust is established, even if you like the person or not, you will always believe in them (if they never end up breaking that trust).
Lies hurt. And truths hurt more. But hearing the truth does make you stronger in the end, even if it takes time. Having the ability to accept truths for what they are and bounce back from even the hardest ones is amazing. Which is why I think you’re pretty amazing yourself. You rather hear the truth than some petty lie and I admire that because I know that I, myself, who also prefers the truth, would refer back to it over and over until I drive myself insane. Lies and deception do break a person’s trust for another but don’t think of it as a permanent decision. Trust can eventually build back up, even if it takes decades.
DeleteMy family never hugs or tell each other “I love you” like many other families, so I can relate to you on that. We don’t share our innermost thoughts or talk about our problems to each other. We’re just there. I, similarity to you, have been criticized by relatives and although it hurts, you have to trust not only them but yourself that they really do love you even if they don’t show it in the most obvious ways.
I think it's really interesting that you can link your values with the thing you hate most. Deception does hurt, there's no avoiding it. Nothing justifies it though, so I agree that each time someone lies to you is worst than the last and that it always sucks because it makes you feel like a total outlier. I understand where you're coming from when you say that trust is not something easily acquired or maintained. It is valuable. My family is not close either, in any way. It is more like a household running off of self-interest and high expectations and seemingly constant disappointment. I try not to live for them, but rather for myself because in the end, all that will matter is my own outlook on my life. Trust is something I tend to lack partly because of this. Despite how often trust may seem like the most difficult characteristic to keep strong, just know that in time, your trust will always restore itself.
DeleteWhen it comes to lying, the one thing I always want is for people to be straight-up with me too. It feels horrible when you find out about something later, and from a different person. I would much rather know the truth as early as possible, and to hear it from someone I know. And I also think it's never wrong to value trust "too much." Humans are social beings so how could we possibly go through our lives without trusting anyone.
DeleteLying is such a weird thing because sometime we do it thinking we are protecting someone from the truth but if something happens it could still end up hurting that person or even someone else. You’re right, I’d rather know the truth because if that person was really my friend then he or she should know not to lie. Having someone’s trust means a lot. It means that person is relying on you for something. Breaking someone’s trust is not easy to fix. It’s hard to gain someone’s trust but its even harder to gain it back.
DeleteWhat do I value? We have been asked this question since elementary school (usually during Thanksgiving) in the simpler form of, "what are you thankful for?" And if you read the answers, all the kids say similar things such as "family", "friends", "toys" and all the other cliché answers you would expect to hear from a kid. I can't even judge anyone for this because I'm sure I said the same exact things and what kid doesn't? We've been taught to value other people or objects such as our house and these aren't bad answers, but over many years I've learned to value other things. What I value the most is myself and that sounds like a very conceited thing to say, but I don't see it that way at all. I've learned the hard way that there is nothing wrong with putting yourself first sometimes. If you don't, you can end up very unhappy and that's exactly what happened with me. What makes me so angry that I could just scream is when people take advantage of other people and the people who are being taken advantage of don't even realize it. I see it every day and I find it really sad. This may not make sense to everyone, but if you've experienced it, you will understand. Once you realize which people do not actually care for you and only care for themselves, that's when you can understand what I mean by the fact that I value myself. I value my own emotions and worth and that's not an easy thing to do. What actually fills me with pure joy is when I see people starting to realize that. I've had friends who have not quite gotten to their breaking point yet and once I explain it to them that you are the most important thing in your life, that's what makes me happy. I like to see people unapologetically care for themselves because like I said, you've been taught from day one that you should value other people or objects. This especially applies to girls because unfortunately, girls have been taught to follow in the footsteps of other people their entire life and realizing this is a huge step to becoming an independent person.
ReplyDeleteValuing yourself more than anything isn't conceited in any way, you are the most important thing in your life and you shouldn't feel bad for knowing that. Just remember that when those friends who haven't reached their breaking points yet do reach those points that you're there to help them through it because you've always understood a lot more than other people and you're friends will need your guidance when the time comes.
DeleteAlthough I agree that valuing yourself is important, I also feel as though you wouldn't be where you're at today if yours and the people who have been in your life paths never crossed. So the people, places, and things that created who you are today should be valued just as much as yourself.
DeleteBut being as you value yourself, I don't think you gave enough insight on the qualities you have in which you value in order to back up why you value yourself.
I see what you're saying but I think you took my writing the wrong way and I can see why it was confusing. I wasn't trying to say that I value my qualities. I was trying to say that I value my actual emotions and importance.
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ReplyDeleteI despise those who trap others. In a relationship or even in a situation. I hate ultimatums. Being forced into a group of people or a lifestyle you never wanted. Being trapped is a horrible, self hatred inflicting penalty, I wouldn't wish on anyone. I hate not being able to learn from my mistakes or in other words never being able to make mistakes. People always try and rescue me like I'm a kicked puppy and it makes me so mad that I could scream. I don’t need prince charming or the calvary to save me from my “sins” I need support I need people to fall back on when I screw up I don't need walls or barriers I have enough of those. People who try to barricade others near them is why I don't confide in anyone. Its why nobody ever fully knows me. I don't need security I need to be scared to be the best, most worth while, version of myself. Through all the opticals with whoever wants to join me, but I have to want it I cant be forced to want it and I have to do it on my own terms or Ill never give it my all. But I'm only sixteen so what the hell do I know? I know Im miserable and for a girl who always smiles I know Im different now. I guess constantly being a Show pony has gotten to me. This must be what “Cracking under the pressure” feels like. So out of this I value independence. I may not know much about it but I know that its all I want. Being able to make my own choices good or bad and learning from them. Clearly Ill need help along the way but at this point in my life Im either going to sink or swim and I have to get out of these floaties. What fills me with joy is freedom. Freedom and independence may be the same thing but they feel different to me. Freedom I have tasted and I didn't do half bad in dealing with it. Im not a stupid kid but its hard to be so different from your family. Its hard to want more when you're made out to feel like its wrong. I see deeper into people than others do and portraying that has proven difficult. I just want to live a life where the worst part of my day is my day actually ending instead of that being the best part. So I value happiness. genuine smiles are what Im striving for. No matter where this life takes me I want to smile and laugh the whole way. I cant live my life like a broken record everyday the same pathetic problems the same depressed people. So I value new experiences. Gaining new experiences in all the realms of the world is something that interests me. Learning from experienced people captures my attention. Nikki Minaj asks, what I think is a question everyone could consider throughout their life, “You’re alive but are you living?” I ask myself this all the time. While its part of a rap song most adults would slap me for listening to, it still made me think…hard. So understanding is what I value. Understanding my place in the world, my role as a human being. The thing that fills me with joy is being. Just being, being happy, being knowledgeable, being brave, being honest, be wild, being me. I hope one day what I learn to value is myself. Right now I value what I could be. As chaotic and crazy as my thoughts are typed out they make sense in my head. Maybe I’ll figure out how to value structure soon.
I relate completely. Being trapped by our parents expectations is so annoying and hard to break out of. Not being able to make my own choices and my own mistakes because friends and parents just tell you not to make the wrong decision is confusing. I feel like you have to make the wrong decision so you can learn from it rather then avoiding the situation completely and doing the "right" thing. Although maybe not practical I wish my parents would let me live so I can learn from my own experiences rather than being so scared and keeping me cooped up.
DeleteTo be completely honest I would have never expected to say that I can relate to this. My family is composed of entirely different types of people than myself also and it's probably the most conflicted part of my thoughts through out each day. I don't know who I am coming "home" to and they don't know who's walking through the door, if that makes sense.
DeleteBeing trapped is the absolute worst feeling and experience. It's confusing to me that parents and family force us to avoid learning from real life experiences. And it's confusing to me that we re expected to just shut up and deal with that as if nothing is wrong. I know exactly what you mean about wishing you could make ending the day the worst part of the day, because I have literally said the same words and wondered why it was my family of all people contributing to keeping that from happening.
I hope one day you can value yourself for who you are, rather than who you could be because you totally deserve that. In a way, it's good that you value independence because so many people don't. And right when they are finally given it they lose it fairly quickly. Sorry you're going through all that.
Aw Sam this is so right and I can just imagine you typing away writing this. It isn't fair that you want to make your own mistakes and live a little but you feel like someone is always trying to control you. You have every reason to be frustrated because you are only trying to learn how to make your life a better place just for you to be happy. Keep smiling sweetie, one day it will all work out I love you always <333
DeleteSam I agree with everything you are saying and feel so bad that you are in such a horrible situation. I hate how parents try and dictate who we see, what we do, how we live. Yes they are our parents but not our dictators. Parents should be more understanding. If anyone has reasonable understanding parents god bless them because it sucks not to. Your situation right now really sucks but it will get better I promise. Just stay positive.
DeleteSam i can also say i agree with everything you are saying, but l also have to say that maybe sometimes we don't value something when we have it and once we loose it we realize how much we valued it.Hence your freedom. All summer you cant say that you didn't have the most freedom of all your 16 years on this earth. I can honestly say we both overused it. All summer we did stuff TOGETHER ( because it wasn't only you) that would only in a couple months be the things that would rip you from your freedom. I believe that we didn't value our freedom as much as we should have during the summer because if we had some of the things we did would not have been done (or we would have taken more precaution). Although, i do agree with you that we should value our freedom maybe we would have valued our freedom and the independence that our parents gave us a little bit sooner. Sue and Paulina were only trusting us, and we took advantage of that, together.Maybe the consequences weren't as bad as you have but soon enough i will be you. We cant keep our parents in the dark too long.
DeleteThe first thing that came to mind when I read this post was "how am I suppose to write what I value when I can't say my family, friends, and/or objects." I've been pondering this all day and I feel selfish but I value myself. I feel that I'm worth something, and I am. I love putting myself and my needs in front of everyone else's sometimes, I love pampering myself. I absolutely love going out and getting new books or new clothes. Now, I don't do it all the time, actually probably less than I should, but it still feels good to know you're putting yourself before anyone else and feel valuable. I absolutely love when people (especially girls) feel confident. Not high school girls particularly, but younger girls. I say that because I hear younger girls say how ugly they are, or saying their fat, or boys don't like them because of their break outs. News flash, we can't help our breakouts, they are one with us, and no matter how much cover up we use they still always appear. But, that's not important. I love seeing girls value themselves by getting their nails done, going out for a run (if you're that kind of girl who loves running and finds it peaceful), getting new clothes, getting new lipstick, anything that makes them feel they are valuable. This brings me to something I hate. I absolute when you walk into school feeling cute and pretty and someone says "oh your shoes don't go with the outfit" or "that shirt makes you look oddly shaped." I was feeling so cute and then you come over and say that to me. That haunts me for the rest of the day. I felt pretty, I felt confident, I felt important and you completely destroyed that. This goes for teenagers and little kids. I hate when people know you having a good day and they shoot you down.
ReplyDeleteYour blog response is so valuable itself because it sends a message to girls and boys in the world. I think that everyone should value themselves and sometimes put yourself before others because you should be your top priority. Therefore, pamper yourself, go crazy, like you said, because that is what makes you feel valuable, that is what makes you feel worthy. Nothing is more powerful than a strong and confident person, because then they know they can do whatever they want in life.
DeleteHey Lexi! I also love going out and pampering myself. I think it's good when girls take time for themselves and really do themselves a favor! We have to treat ourselves every once in a while. And about the outfit thing, I cant stand that either. You could be coming to school thinking you look pretty and then someone says those shoes don't go. Like girl, hop off.
DeleteI'm not going to lie, pampering yourself is the best. I love to feel good about myself and confident. Now in days it takes a lot for girls to feel that way because of how society wants girls to look. I always believed no matter how you looked to someone else you should always be comfortable in your own body.
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Deletehey Alexis! I love your blog post so much and agree with it 100%. nothing makes me feel better than pampering myself once in awhile. I love your message to both genders and all ages to just overall just be confident.
Feeling confident about yourself is always good. There are too many people who feel insecure about themselves and it bothers me. But I agree with you, that when someone shoots you down with a mean comment, I think it about it throughout the day.
DeleteThe ability to lie is one thing that I value. The ability to lie is a trait that makes me happy because in many cases the truth can bring more harm than good. Telling white lies could save people from the heart breaking reality that we live in. In the movie “Liar Liar,” Jim Carry is forced to tell the truth. By telling the truth all the time he gets in a world of trouble. When one of Fletchers’ (Jim Carry) coworkers says “Hey, what’s up, Fletcher?” he responds with “Your cholesterol, fatty!” In this case it would have been much better to lie to the man instead of insulting him and demolishing his confidence. I’m not saying I like it when people lie all of the time, but I value it when it saves someone else from humiliation or sadness. I value this because I can’t stand seeing someone sad or depressed. Although in many cases people lie to protect someone, I’m very hypocritical about this topic. I would want someone to tell me the truth no matter the circumstances, but I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone by telling them the truth.
ReplyDeleteScoring a goal on the soccer field makes me happier than anything in the world. The feeling of the spotlight being on me for those 20 seconds is the best feeling in the world. The adrenaline after scoring boosts your confidence so much that you’re hungry for another one and you’re willing to take shots you may normally avoid. So far this season I have scored three goals (one in a scrimmage). I have felt nothing else like the joy and exhaustion from completing a sprint towards far post and putting the ball into the back of the net.
It’s sad to say, but losing at FIFA makes me incredibly angry. I don’t mind losing if I know the game was even. Ex: 50-50 possession, relatively the same number of shots, and roughly the same match ratings on players. But when I lose because of a lucky goal or because my players run into each other, I get enraged. I would say I’m pretty good and win most of my games. When I lose, especially to someone I beat most of the time (cough cough Christian); words can’t describe how angry I get. This frustrates me even further when I know I played so much better than my opponent. For example when my opponents’ keeper gets a 9.8 rating every game, I get insanely angry because it is nearly impossible to score. Oddly enough, I think I get more frustrated when I lose a game of FIFA than when I actually lose a soccer game. I know it’s bad to get so enraged over a video game, but I can’t help it. I am a very competitive person and I hate losing, especially to my friends. I do admit that I used to get angry at most of the video games I played. Now I only get angry at FIFA, so believe it or not I am making progress.
Oh Tim. So I’m completely in love with your first sentence that I could kick and scream because that is my all-time favorite value since I don’t know (random grade) the 5th grade. I’m glad someone said it though. How could you not value the ability to lie. It gets you out of sticky situations and sometimes is fun clearly shown in your paragraph. But to be quite honest didn’t think lying was your thing, you’re slightly more sarcastic. But now that I take in consideration of just my day today, I can count on one hand the lies you have told me alone. I know its all fun and games so don’t worry. Lastly im disappointed in the rest of your reply. I looking forward to a deep hatred that you’ve kept hidden for the past three years and then to learn, Fifa is the reason you want your hair to grow just so you can tear it out in anger. Its not something I enjoyed. Please forgive me, overall it has been a learning experience reading this post
DeleteThis was a way I might not have went with this prompt, but it is a really good way to look at it. The ability to lie is a really good value because you are absolutely right, the truth hurts a lot of the time. I also feel like fibbing is a really good value, it's very similar, but not a whole lie, just stretching the truth.
DeleteI find it very interesting that you value the ability to lie. Lying is easily one of the most destructive forces known to man, having the ability to rip apart someone’s belief and self-confidence. On the other hand lying can build someone up for example; when a little kids pet dies you don’t tell them it died you tell them that it ran away. Lying is one of the most powerful abilities that humans possess. I can see how losing to me at FIFA gets annoying and can frustrate you, after all I hate losing to you. Just because my keeper does ok and averages an 8.5 rating every game isn’t the only reason you lose to me (cough cough 90 minute penalty).
DeleteI don’t believe anything will ever anger me more than when people use religion as an excuse for their own demented actions. I think of humans as very indecisive and dependent creatures, with free will being something promised but never actually used. This sense of fitting in has caused multiple devastating events throughout history, most humans lack the intelligence to think for themselves which allows people with radical ideas to gain power. Religion is one of the most influential idea’s that exist, being able to change millions of point of views with the single utterance of “we have God on our side”. You have multiple maniacs in this world that use religion to gain a following of people looking to find meaning in their lives, this following can be lead to do inhuman acts against their so-called enemies. I have always despised people who use religion as a way to justify evil deeds, this is mainly due to the hypocrisy. Using something that teaches understanding and love, and distorting it to justify hate and destruction. The fact that every day we can see this happening every day on the news.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes me unbelievably joyful is simple, it’s when people don’t just think about themselves but also think about others. Humanistic values have replaced moral values, this has produces an i-don't-care-if-its-wrong-I'm-going-to-do-it-because-it-makes-me-feel-good type of attitude. This attitude makes humans extremely unwilling to help each other in their time of need. Very few people care about anyone else besides themselves, it makes me sad to say this. When I see people go out of their way to help someone out, I will admit I do not do this all the time but whenever I can I will. We all talk about how we want change but no one’s able to think about helping more than just themselves.
THANK YOU CHRISTIAN, PREACH. I literally hate when people use religion as an excuse for something or for shaming people for living a certain way. The main reason I have never been religious and never will be is because a lot of stuff in the bible just literally makes no sense to me, at all. For example: a lot of Christians (NOT ALL) will talk about how important accepting people is but then when they see a gay couple adopting children so they can start a family they say its a sin. How does that make any sense, what's more Christian than family and love? Maybe that's just how I see it but it just makes me sad when I see people using religion in a bad way.
DeleteI'm glad someone was thinking of this. I STRONGLY DISLIKE people who use religion to belittle someone. I'm Christian and some things I don't agree with that's from the bible. The bible can be perceived different ways. Sure it says marriage should be man and woman, but God also loves all his children. I just hate how people think they can say and get away with something and just fallback to the religion card. But Christian I completely do agree with you.
DeleteI also dislike when people blame things on religion, specifically when it was just like random input. But I relate to the second part of your response better. When other people think of you or include you in something is like one of the best things in the world. You feel wanted and you know that other people care about your input and not just about themselves.
DeleteChristian, as you know, I am not Christian. I reject religion because I do not agree with it on a scientific, and even philosophical, standpoint. (Of course it depends on the religion; atheists are more compatible with Buddhists than Jews and Christians.) However, I do agree with your point about people doing horrible things in the name of religion. As I said, I go against religion, but I do see that most people support various religions because they believe that the religions are doing good, and in many cases they are. Look at Pope Francis. I disagree with him on everything when it comes to religion, but he actually supports a clean environment and wants to fight global warming; this I can respect. When thinking about what religious leaders say, one must think about what that leaders gets out of it if more people believe those leaders' beliefs. Both Adolf Hitler and Martin Luther King Jr. used religion to further their agendas. In a nutshell, I am not entirely against religion, per se; I am against indoctrination which discourages free thought, which I see as very dangerous. The way I see it, if one wants to be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or Pastafarian, I really do not care; the only thing I have to say is that one should really think about why he or she chose that religion, and because mommy and daddy belonged to that religion does not cut it. One of humanity’s biggest problems is a lack of thinking.
DeleteI agree 100%. Peoples' inability to think for themselves is why so many awful people got into power. I dislike the people who try really hard to get others to notice they practice a religion; or who make it sound like they are hard core religious when they really aren't. Thinking of people who put others first always makes me happy too.
DeleteI VALUE MYSELF AND WHAT I BELIEVE IN!!! Sorry for the yelling but I cannot stress that enough. This past week, as most already know, I have been stressed and already questioned about my values in a different way. Values, morals, and self-respect all fit together like puzzle pieces. I’ll use my dilemma as an example. Ladies, if you are in a relationship, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SAY NO. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad person or girlfriend, saying no LITERALLY means no. If your boyfriend, or anybody for that matter, will go out of their way to try and persuade you out of your beliefs then they need to shut the front door and sit down! Everyone has different morals, and that’s perfectly okay. As for me, waiting until I’m ready to become intimate with someone is one of my top priorities. Most kids my age, and some even younger (which surprises me), have already “done the deed.” I’m not judging them whatsoever, it’s 100% their preference. What makes me so frick-frackin’ mad is when some people try to manipulate facts in order to make the situation sound better. Sex is a very sensitive topic for me and the ones I hold close to my heart know that. Another thing that makes me want to scream is bringing up the damn topic over and over again. I hate repeating myself, and I’m sure the other person hates hearing me say the say damn words. I will not change my morals just so I can please my (ex)boyfriend. I will not change my belief on waiting so “we both will have a deeper connection with one another”. I value myself and my body way more than I value boys. I have more self-respect towards myself that I would rather end a relationship, which I have done twice now, rather than say yes something I know I’m not ready and will regret in the long run. I love him dearly, and yes he makes me beyond happy but what fills me with unabashed joy is quite simple, love. I know, so cliche of me to say. When you think about it, love is way more complicated than it was intended to be. If you love someone then you get into a relationship, if you don’t love them then you don’t get into relationship. Sounds simple, but in today’s generation we make it way more complex than it needs to be. The saying “if you love something let it go...” gets in the way. Why let it go if you love it? “...and if it comes back then it was meant to be.” This gives people a little thing called hope. Unfortunately, some are so closed minded that they don’t have any hope. With hope, comes faith, and faith gives you whatever you desire. Faith is something that isn’t given nor handed to you. You just have to believe that even though you’re feeling pressured or stressed that faith will bring you out of that temporary abyss.
ReplyDeleteI don't think sex before marriage isn't a horrible thing but I do think that people shouldn't just have sex with a random person. It should be with someone that makes you comfortable with your body and you truly love. I'm glad you made that decision because guys should not pressure girls to give themselves to them. It's their choice.
DeleteI AM SO HAPPY YOU DID WHAT YOU DID! I don't know the story ( and I do not need to know it's your story) but what you just said really is speaking to me and something that I need to have stored. To be able to value yourself is such an amazing thing. Some people cannot (me included). Please hold on to what you believe and what you want and don't ever be naive to change what you believe in.
DeleteJchiao, I'm so proud of you, but you already know that! And I'm here to tell you that you are completely and utterly right in your values and that no matter what, never ever let anyone tell you or make you believe that your values are unimportant and irrelevant. Your belief makes you, you and I love you just the way you are! I know that you're very passionate about this topic and I'm glad you're addressing it and expressing your belief instead of having it coped up inside of you. And remember that I'm always going to be there for you no matter the situation and will try my best to make it better!
DeleteGood for you honestly. Theres no better way to test your strength then with something like this. Girls now a days don't understand this concept of being true to yourself. They don't understand that there is absolutely nothing wrong with waiting. Your courage in a situation like that helps you prove to yourself who you are. Im not saying having sex with someone is wrong but I agree with your point of view. It should be with someone you completely trust and someone who has an enormous impact on your life (A good impact). Someone who, let me quote Bunje, "Fills you with joy". I admire your determination to stick to your values and not let breaking up detour you. Its truly a rare thing in todays society.
DeleteYES JAS YOU TELL EM!!!!!!!! The one thing guys just don’t understand is the word no. Don’t ever let someone push you to do something you don’t feel comfortable doing. Just because you do it does not change the relationship. You see people just doing it with whoever and that doesn’t change anything. It will not make you have a deeper connection or make you’re relationship any better. Relationships should be built on trust, love, and if they make you happy. Not whether they “hit”, so with that being said, you made a great decision and soon he will realize.
DeleteSeriously freaking love you Jasmine! Want you value makes up who you are and the fact that you made a hard decision to keep with what you value I respect that so much. You shouldn't do anything you don't want to do even if your significant other begs you too. Keep doing you and never let your values go because as soon as they do you are not yourself anymore.
DeleteYES JASMINE! I'm so proud of you for respecting yourself and standing up for your beliefs. You shouldn't ever be pressured into doing something that you're not 100% comfortable with, and it was wrong for your (ex)boyfriend to do that. It's hard for me to stand up for myself, so I wish could have half of your bravery and courage. Don't let anyone ever change you, and keep believing in yourself!
DeleteI literally love how powerful that was. Boys like that suck. And I admire (so much) the fact that you have not and will not give up your morals from people like that or for anyone. So many people do that nowadays. I've seen it and experienced it first hand. Never stop being you.
DeleteYOU ARE SO POWERFUL JASMINE AND YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SAY NO. Your choices inspire me and you are amazing for standing up for what you believe in. You didn't give in to peer pressure and I completely respect it.
DeleteI'm proud of you Jchiao for standing up to what you believe in. I know it was hard for you and seeing you like that was terrible. But you know in the long run you did the right thing and you're stronger than a lot of other girls.
DeleteSHOUT OUT TO YOU. I give you so much respect for choosing your brain over your heart. Its a trait I seem to not have and I really do admire people like you who are capable of making decisions for their long term happiness instead of their short term happiness, especially with a situation as serious as yours. Always keep smiling and stick to your word as you are. You have so much power and everyone on this blog(and school) could agree.
DeleteHONESTLY, CAN ANYONE SPELL SUBBLOGPOST????? You know I've been here since day one and seeing you hurt even made me shed a tear. Me?!
DeleteI'm so proud that you did what you did because I was there when you questioned your values and I'm glad you decided to go with what you know and what you stand for. Just know that you are so strong and so much stronger than you think. Continue to do always do things for you and NEVER for anyone else because at the end of the day, YOU are the only person who was there from start to finish.
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DeleteJasmine I have so much respect for you. Not many girls are able to talk about these situations. I hate when people try to pressure me into things that they know I don't want to do. It makes me feel very awkward, and it stresses me out. This is one of the main reasons why I don't "talk talk" to anyone right now. Honestly, I would feel so awkward and probably never be able to interact with that person in the same way ever again. You made the right decision girly, and I admire you for that. If they can't respect your decision and are constantly putting pressure on you, than they must not care enough.
DeleteJasmine oh my gosh this post it great. I have so much respect for you. You do have every right to say no and believe what believe and it so good that you value your morals and stay true to them. I honestly look up to you (that sounds weird) I mean like I just have so much respect for you to stick with your morals and stay true to what you believe.
DeleteNothing really makes me so mad that I could scream or really even bring it up for discussion. I'll be mad for 2.5 seconds about something but I could never scream because I'm so mad. I generally mix the feelings mad and annoyed. I can get so mad that I become annoyed and I can get so annoyed that I become mad. Something that makes me mad is when people don't hear me. Plenty of people ignore me friends, family they don't listen to me. But when someone doesn't hear me, like they're nodding along, pretending to listen, waiting for me to finish just so they can talk, it irks me. For some people that I talk to, it gets to the point where it's happened seven times and I turn around and stop having the conversation with them.
ReplyDeleteDumb, little things make me happy. One of those things would be going to raves. It's probably the dumbest thing ever but I enjoy them so much. It's not going to them that I enjoy per se but the overall view. There's this extremely big rave called Tomorrowland and last year over 350,000 people went. That's a lot of people. I like the fact that everybody is there because they want to be there and they all came to do one thing: jump. At Oakcrest, probably 95% of the people don't want to be there. At least half of the people aren't even there to learn. Maybe about a quarter of the people are nice to people that aren't their friends. 350,000 strangers are being nice to each other, jumping with each other, and having the time of their lives.
If it makes you happy then its not dumb, at all. The fact that you said raves make you happy and didn't even really talk about the rave itself but the people that go to them was really cool and I agree. When I go to a concert 90% of the time I watch the people more than the performers because everyone there is just so happy and excited to be around complete strangers and that just an amazing thing to experience.
DeleteRy bear, if your ever trying to party at a rave hmu. I'm down. I know I don't listen to you sometimes because I'll get distracted but I really want to know what you say. I value your opinion and I think what you say is also important.
DeleteWhen being asked this question, we first think the obvious, such as family, friends, lovers, objects, etc. Of course everyone values that but we need to dig deeper and truly think about our true selves. Not what other people define us as, but how we define ourselves. If those obvious values were non existent, then what do we value in our lives that is within us? This took a lot of thinking for me. But I would have to say that respect is what I value most. In this generation,there are countless things that people in our generation are capable of doing that is disrespectful. We think it’s funny to “come at each other’s necks” with a use of immature words and think it’s okay; that they all of a sudden feel like the “big guy” when we do so. Or when we act like not learning ,not following rules and disregarding to what teachers say is cool. Most don’t even think twice about their words or actions, they just go along with it. As a matter of fact, some people follow other people's actions ,because they thought it was the “cool” thing to do. Not only people, but social media plays a big role. Social media changed peoples, specifically teenagers (like me), mindset. If you want to be respected then be respectful to others. It makes me scream when people just don’t care about almost anything. For example, school, college, kindness etc. All these things are important and they don’t put their fullest effort into these things. It baffles me that people actually act this way. And so, this is why I think respect is an important value because a lot of people lack it. I wish everyone could be passionate about what they do also being respectful. It truly makes me smile when I see someone so passionate for something and strives to get to their goal. Unfortunately, not everyone is like that which makes me sad for that being so.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true nobody understands respect anymore. Caring a lot about something has become "lame". People think they own the world and they sure act like it too.Constantly being disrespectful and putting others down for trying to accomplish more than required. "Too cool for school" is an overloaded category these days. I especially dislike being looked down on because Im an AP kid. While in public someone will say something to the effect that they were never wasting their time on school, in private all of a sudden its "she's too smart for her own good" and "I wish I had a brain like that". I know that sometimes I act so stupid and I do dumb things we all do. Its when I have something to say nobody gets it because they can't understand words from the english language. They only get words like fire, bomb, and banging. While I'm guilty of using all the slag in the book I can flip the coin over and all of a sudden "be smart" you just can't be smart in the halls of oakcrest or people will "come at your neck". So I completely agree with you, too many people think ignorance is cool and its become a trend instead of an issue.
DeleteRespect is also what I value because I totally agree that some people in our generation do not have respect. We should think twice before we say things because some things can really hurt people. Teachers are here to teach and to help you succeed (maybe not all) but they should be well respected because they are here for the students good.
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ReplyDeleteThere is not a day that goes by where someone doesn’t come up to me and say “ You are the whitest black girl I’ve ever met.” or “ Wow, you talk like a white person”. When I hear comments like this, I instantly want to punch someone in the throat. First of all, that’s not a compliment, in fact, it is very insulting. What is acting white? Listening to Taylor Swift? Speaking properly? Having an education? Dressing a certain way? So if that’s “acting white” then you must be insinuating that being black means the complete opposite of those things. I know when people say this to me, they don’t actually mean it like that. They don’t mean for it to be rude or disrespectful, but it is. Why must every black person have to be the stereotypical black person? Why is someone who IS the stereotypical black person deemed ghetto, loud, obnoxious, rude, etc.? I am a proud African American. In fact, I love the color of my skin, I love my people, and absolutely love my culture. However, just because I’m black doesn’t mean I have to act black or white. I act like myself. I act as if I were raised in a household that instilled a sense of respect, kindness, and morality in me. As for the black people, this is not only for white people, this is for you too. Why do we say stuff like this to each other? It frustrates me when someone of a different race says it, but even more so when I hear it from another black person. We should all be accepting each other, not alienating one another and making each other feel bad, simply because of who we are.We, as human beings, need to get it together. There is no such thing as “acting white” , “acting black”, or acting any other sort of way, and when we make remarks like this, all it does is alienate a person and make them feel bad for acting the only way they know how to act… like themselves. We should all be accepting and loving of the different kinds of people there are.
The most important characteristic a person could possess is reliability. Reliability is the key to having a long-lasting relationship between two or more people. A person who is truly reliable, is someone who could be huge asset to another person’s life. Without trust and reliability, there would be no such thing as a relationship. I am the type of person, who will always be there for you know matter what the situation is. For example, I have two “ex- best friends”, and although we aren’t on good terms, they know that I am still here for them. That is just the type of person I am. However, sometimes I hate being the way I am, because not everyone acts the same way towards me. Which is probably why I always end up getting screwed over, used, or getting my feelings hurt. Also, I chose to be mentor, so I am constantly helping other students that need me. Additionally, I’m a member of the Juvenile Court Committee, so I am always advocating for the young people that need my guidance and support. My mentees, friends, family, and even the randoms I’ve met along they way, know that they can always count on me to be there for them. Yet, sometimes this becomes a problem, because I’m so concerned about being there for everyone else, that I forget to support myself.
I agree one hundred percent with your entire first paragraph. Why is it because you're intelligent and polite, all of a sudden you aren't black enough? I say, you're intelligent and polite-- point, blank, period. Kayla, you totally hit the nail on the head with saying that it alienates the individual and makes them feel bad for acting like themselves. When I make a dumb comment and someone tells me "what kind of Asian are you?!" I always get a weird feeling in my stomach. It makes me feel even more dumb than I already was feeling! Of course, it can be meant as a joke, but you're right that it can also be hurtful. But I love seeing someone embrace their culture and their intelligence. You go, girl.
DeleteI agree with you on the importance of reliability. I believe that it is what makes a relationship truly special and different from all the other social interactions. Your relationship with your "ex-best friends" completely exemplifies the certainty of trust because even though you guys aren't friends anymore, you still have their backs. Also, Kayla you need to believe in yourself more because you are one the kindest person I know, and you are perfect just the way you are. Even though you've met a few people who have used you or hurt you, just know that you still have people who support you and love you no matter what you do. I'll always be there for you if you ever need me.
DeleteWE ARE THE SAME PERSON. Not literally but you know what I mean. Just because you're smart, out going, and listen to the lyrical mastermind that is Taylor Swift doesn't mean that you aren't black. I respect you and your choices, Kay.
DeleteCulture is just a suggestion. If one is born white, “white culture” is the suggested culture for that person, unfortunately. The same goes for many races, religions, and for people of different countries. Once someone sees that the suggested culture is not necessarily where that person belongs, that person is a step closer to reaching his or her full potential. Forget racism, simple acknowledgments based on race bother me. For example, mainland Italy is full of light-skinned, blond-haired, blue-eyed people, yet Sicily, off of Italy, is full of darker-skinned, black-haired, brown-eyed people. The reason for this is because centuries ago, Sicily, which was full of the light-skinned people, was invaded by Africa. The African soldiers raped Sicilian women adding dark skin, brown eyes, and black hair into the genetic pool. I am white, so to speak, yet my ancestors were those people in Sicily that were victims of the aforementioned war crimes, so the reason for my dark hair is attributed to the African blood mixed in with the Italian blood. So do I have a reason to be racist to blacks if I have black blood too? Everyone can trace their heritage back to Africa and, chances are, at least once in each person’s family tree lies someone of another race and this makes humanity interconnected. Thus, there is absolutely no ethical or logical reason for judgement based on race.
DeleteKayla you are such a beautiful and intelligent female!!!!! Don't let such ignorant people get in your way. They're most likely just like jealous of you or something. Always be yourself because you're one of the most funniest, prettiest, smart girls I know!! Like forreal
DeleteIt is very important that we value everything in our lives. Most of us are so fortunate to get all the things we want when we want them and we don’t care much about anything else (not me in particular) but the people that I'm surrounded by. What I value most over anything else is happiness. I know that may sound strange coming from me because I'm one of the saddest people I know, but not having happiness in my life makes me value it so much more when its there. Happiness comes in so many forms and people often over look the little gifts that life gives us. Only a few things in this world make me truly happy but its just the little things that happen from time to time that make me appreciate how important happiness is. Just someone asking me if I'm okay and genuinely caring about the answer makes me feel so good about myself that ill usually forget why I'm upset. Its trivial things like that that make me realize the importance of happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that makes me so angry and upset is when someone says "it wont matter in 10 years so don’t worry about it" or the classic "its not that big of a deal." I literally could not care less about whatever situation in 10 years because it hurts now and I hurt now so DO NOT tell me not to worry about it. As for the classic "its not that big of a deal" yes it is. It’s a big deal to me and you don’t know how it makes me feel so I don’t care if its not affecting you because its affecting me. No one will ever understand how someone else is feeling about something so I don’t get how people can tell others that something in their life is not a big deal. It could be as simple as a girl breaking their nail and a guy saying "chill, its not a big deal" and I WILL snap. That shit hurts and you don’t know that persons pain tolerance so don’t tell them how to feel, its plain and simple. We do not understand anything about anyone else's life as much as we think we do, we don’t. I've been told too many times in my life that my problems don’t matter and the thing is, they do. All of our problems matter and no one should ever tell us that they don’t, if you have people in your life that don’t help you through whatever problems you're having then remove those people from your life. They don’t deserve to be in it. So many things make my blood boil but its things like that that truly hurt me to my core.
As soon I read this blog post I immediately got sad. I knew exactly what made me angry and upset and I couldn’t think of anything that made me happy and I think that says a lot about me. So now 24+ hours later and I've finally come up with two things that literally make me uncontrollably happy. The first being comfortable silence and the second is making people happy. I'm not going to write about comfortable silence though because I'm not exactly sure how to explain it without sounding creepy so ill just talk about my love for making other people happy. I knew from the moment I started talking that I was meant to better other peoples lives. My ultimate life goal is to be a social worker because helping people and making them happy is one of the most amazing things I've ever done and ever will do. I always put other people before myself and I don’t think ill ever change, I know its not good to put others before yourself but I cant help. I've always valued other people more than myself and that’s okay because the feeling I get when I make someone happy is incredible, I cant even put into words how it makes me feel. If you're reading this and saying to yourself "yeah whatever we all like to make people happy Jennie" well all I can tell you is that’s awesome keep doing that but understand that making others happy is my passion. There's certain moments in my life when I made someone happy that I will never forget and whenever I start to doubt myself on certain things I think about those moments and know that I'm meant for bigger and better things.
Jennie, you would be an awesome social worker. You've always helped me with my problems since the day I met you and it would be cool if you could help other people as well. I agree 100% with you on people saying "it's not a big deal" to something that upset you. How are they supposed to know when it's not even them in that situation? That makes me so mad.
DeleteI value quality time/ interactions between me and other people. My day is never over without awkward and hilarious interactions. Those miniscule, seemingly unimportant situations give me happiness in this black and white life of mine. Whenever I make someone laugh, a rush of satisfaction overwhelms me and I enjoy every minute and every second with that person. And for a moment, even if it’s just a moment, my life is filled with color.
ReplyDeleteI’ve always been a relatively joyful guy. I smile so much so that my face has more definition than my biceps… Anyway, other than quality time, I find unbashed joy in scarfing down a plate of Texas cheese fries and five orders of, “Juicy Lucy,” burgers. (If you don’t know what it is, it’s a cheeseburger with the cheese inside the burger.) Or, even going to a Wing night with the guys. To put it simply, pigging out. Pigging out is one of the few things that truly fills me with joy. The different tastes and textures along with the satisfaction of a full stomach brings me to the utmost peak of happiness.
What aggravates me most are when people say and do things that are completely illogical and irrational. An example would be when people themselves to others. It makes no sense, whatsoever. Since when were you that other person, and since when did you decide that that person is better than you in some way. One of my idols, J. Cole, once said, “Love yours…because there is no such thing as a life that’s better than yours.” Throughout the song he talks about how people should learn to love their life, and to know that even if you want more, you will never find happiness until you find happiness in where you are now. Why do I get mad when someone says or does something illogical? In every decision I make and have made in my life, there has always been one question that I ask myself in all of those situations. “Does what I’m doing make sense?” Whenever people do something illogical, my mind takes it as an insult towards how I run my life. Which I admit seems a tad irrational, oh the irony.
Hi Alfonso! I really liked your response because now I know what a cheese stuffed hamburger is called! I also liked how you brought up the fact that some people always try to compare themselves to others, either for attention, self-pity, or whatever. People's problems aren't something to be compared to, or having worse problems doesn't draw more attention towards you. And I also liked your point on how you may see other people's lives and ask, "Is what I am doing make sense?", most likely you are because everyone has different views on everything.
DeleteHey Alfonso. So I think the life of Alfonso Roque is completely irrational. It makes no sense to me how busy you are and have time to complete almost everything in an excelling manner, most of the time. You use humor and sarcasm throughout your day, putting up a clownish atmosphere all while being a pretty academically equipped student with a don’t care attitude. Which is inspiring to know people like that still exist. Nevertheless it is illogical but the irony of it is through your funny comments you do make people laugh and enjoy thei9r time socializing with you which in turn is what you value most. So don’t stop no matter how irrational it makes your person.
DeleteAlfonso, you lost me at your example of "when people themselves to each other". What are you trying to say? What word(s) are you missing? I'm dying to know. Also, I like the J. Cole quote. If you always compare yourself to other people and put yourself down, you'll never be happy. It's so important to love yourself because it's your life, and you should be happy and confident in yourself and the choices that you make. (How many times did I say "yourself"?) Also, not only will the way that you feel and treat yourself be better, but also the way that you treat others. If you're happy, you'll be more positive and others will treat you the same way.
DeleteYou are definitely right. There is a lot of awkward interactions throughout your day (Especially with Bryan). We should definitely go to wing night one of these weeks. At Els right? It also bothers me whenever people do things the "irrational" way. I guess that's just because everyone has a different way of thinking.
DeleteMs. Bunje, I disagree with your theory. I disagree because teenagers have PLENTY of time. It can be worked in at some point of the day. But what my theory is; is that some of us teenagers don't want to have to face what we value, so we will try to consume our time with distractions. There are numerous reasons as to why people have different values and why they value it. But one that I'll stick with, is that it simply just is not a necessity and isn't something that has to be valued, and we hate that. We will run far far away from something if the end result isn't us getting what we want. So why not value the iPhone and bombard our parents to get it, when that money was needed to go towards the mortgage bill. Something that is a necessity because it's where you live, how you sleep, etc. There have been times where I thought getting a new iPhone was the most valuable thing, and that I just had to get it. But is a new phone really that valuable? Or is surrounding myself with positive people valuable? What I value in my life, is love. And when I say love, I mean being a loving genuine person. I most of the time will try to bring happy thoughts and a happy aroma. I just feel like there has to be positivity in the air. Something that makes me uncontrollably happy, is animals. I can see any animal and become super happy. I love to see the videos of animals being rescued. Animals bring so much happiness into life. My two dogs make me the happiest I think. I could be having a bad day or smell completely terrible, but they will still love me the same. Animals bring positivity and that's the main thing I value. Something that makes me uncontrollably angry, is again I'm going to relate to animals. But I HATE animal cruelty. It literally crawls under my skin and makes me sick to my stomach and then it crawls back out and now it's ready to do a WWE wrestling move on someone. Animals are pretty much helpless and most of the time it's loving nice animals that are tortured. I absolutely hate it. I also hate when someone will try to belittle my problem. It makes me so ridiculously angry. My problems are problems, and whether it's like yours or not, DO NOT tell me my problems are worthless. It makes me store away my emotions and afraid to open up to someone.
ReplyDeleteLove makes everything better, don’t you think? I love it when you can literally feel happiness and joy throughout the air and you are definitely one of those people who bring it everywhere they go! Animals are an essential to life, at least in my opinion. They love you even if you’re at your worst and always seem to be there to snuggle with you when you’re feeling down, which is why I also absolutely hate it when I see or hear about animal cruelty. Not to mention, but sometimes I watch animal rescue videos on YouTube and tear up seeing them being nursed back to health. Also, if someone is belittling you and your problems don’t hesitate to step up and tell them to knock it off, even if they don’t realize what they’re doing, because it’s not nice to feel like you’re not important and you should never have to feel that way. But, if you’re ever too afraid to stand up for yourself, I recommend an unhealthy dose of cuddling with your dogs.
DeleteI had never thought of Bunje's theory that way before Ang! This completely opened my eyes. Instead of teenagers actually facing their problems, like studying or doing homework, they instead occupy their time with other things. And by other things, I mean the internet. The absolute largest culprit of wasted time since the 90's. We as teenagers, do think very rashly and selfishly. It's kind of in our nature at this day and age. So yeah, why shouldn't we worry about paying for the mortgage before getting an iPhone?! Keep fighting society and standards! And I have to agree, dogs are the ultimate source of unconditional love. I love my dog, Roxy, almost to death! I hate when I see animal cruelty too. Why do these poor helpless creatures deserve such treatment ?! :(
DeleteI kind of agree with you about teenagers having the time to pay attention to what they truly value. I think we definitely have the time, but I don't think we spend enough time on it. We can think about it while we're in bed for the night and have nothing else to do, but teenagers usually don't think about those things. I think that when we have the time, we should because it's really important.
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ReplyDeleteI value respect and being real. I’m not good at maintaining friendships, so to other people I come off as mean but I just don’t put effort. This doesn’t even come close to how people don’t have respect for others. They’ll just do whatever and not look at what they do. They’re not a true friend or boyfriend/girlfriend. I won’t rant about some other things too. I do value those things because they’re very true.
One thing in the world makes me want to break down and cry are the thoughts that my biological dad didn’t want me and how my dad now might not either. I never met my real father but I have a dad that's been here my whole life. Lately he’s been really getting into his religion, Islam. He changed. He started to not come around because he listened to one of his teachers that told him he shouldn’t love me because I wasn’t his own. It hurt really bad. Yes, he does things for me now but he doesn’t spend time with me. It’s okay because my mom is all I’ll ever need. So, I get so mad not because I don’t feel loved but the fact that people change and pretend they didn’t.
Moving forward, one thing that fills me with absolute joy is having something to do. I know that sounds like I need to be busy all the time but I just enjoy when I have to run places or just go out. I love the feeling of checking stuff off my lists. I don’t know. It just miss having a good day.
All the examples I explained are very dear to me. I would love if I was filled with joy all the time but it won’t exist. I hope that my dad situation gets better but we’ll wait to see. That's’ what life's about, situations happening that you never saw coming. Value everything in life. A lot of people would kill to be you.
This broke my heart Im so sorry he's doing that to you. I know how it feels to be ignored and while both of my parents want me sometimes I feel more like their bragging right than their child. This is either going to break you down or make you stronger. You'll become more self reliant through all the pain he's causing you. Religion is a scary thing it completely changes people makes them unrecognizable and I hope that your family can make it through this. There is no accurate reason for him to abandon you like that. Ive always been jealous of kids who have a picture perfect relationship with their parents. My life may look like its out of a magazine but behind closed doors the tables turn. So I understand that you feel alone and I'm sorry you're going through that I wouldn't wish the feeling on anyone. Lean on your friends when you need to and look at this situation as you becoming more independent. Take charge of your life and make it your own.Im sure he will come around but if he doesn't, understand that you are important and there is a place for you in this world.
DeleteI hope the situation with your dad works itself out, too! Don't forget that many people care about you, though. I am the same way with wanting to be doing something all the time. I love just going out to the grocery store because it gives me something to do. I think it's the idea that I actually did something productive.
DeleteOne of the things that makes me so mad to the point of screaming is not necessarily a person, but what that person does. Now, don’t get me wrong! I love my sister to death and can assure you that in many ways, she is my best friend. Though being sisters means that there will always be bickering. About everything! The most irritating factor of the bickering is that it is absolutely pointless. Recently, my sister and I argued about who was going to put the milk gallon back in the fridge. Just knowing that I have to be step up, be the bigger person, and shut my mouth makes me ache. Why were we arguing in the first place? Why was a milk gallon the cause of such hatred (temporary hatred, of course)? After much pondering, my answer is simply that we are sisters. I constantly witness other siblings bickering and from that, I have concluded my wonderings with my answer. My reasoning for being aggravated by bickering consists of two reasons. The first, which was already stated above, is that those stupid little arguments are pointless and are almost never resolved. Fighting over nothing is a waste of time. The second reason is that because I love my sister as much as I do, I hate to argue with her. A little bit of disagreement is healthy once in awhile, but I love it when the two of us can just get along and enjoy each others’ company.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many things that gives me absolute joy is singing with the Select Choir. Logically speaking, the thought of humans using their vocal chords, diaphragm, and air to make beautiful sounds intrigues me. To be able to turn emotions into song just by using what nature has already provided for us, amazes and inspires me everyday in choir class. In the past few years, our Select Choir has had these “moments” in certain songs in which the sound is unbelievably beautiful and the feeling is surreal. My freshman year, many of us cried from how gorgeous it sounded. These tears were of joy, unlike the tears of anger described above.
Kassia, you and Lada are like sister goals. I love the relationship you have with each other; the gentle prodding you give Lada when she's a little behind, or the way you both get so worked up when the other is playing a particularly tough match. You guys aren't embarrassed or ashamed of each other (like other siblings can be) and everyone can see how much you care for each other. I have a brother (He's nine and his name is Thomas, like the tank engine). We fight all the time about everything, but sometimes I find myself zoning out in class wondering if he's doing okay in school. I wonder if he's being bullied, or if he's being too hard on himself, or if he doesn't think I love him because we fight so much. You're right in saying that bickering is pointless, so maybe next time I see a milk gallon, I'll avoid it altogether.
DeleteKassia, I remember seeing you and your sister take gymnastics classes at gym and you guys seem so cute! But it's normal for siblings to fight, if they don't then are they really normal? I love my little brother as well but we always seem to fight so much. I guess its just sibling love. Also, I think that's so cool that you have a passion for singing. I always wished I could be a singer but I wasn't blessed with the vocals.
DeleteI value my competitive behavior, which is one of the main reasons why I participate in sports. I work and practice and both academics and sports so that when anything challenging comes my way I will be prepared and be able to put up a good fight. But just because I prepare myself doesn’t mean I always win these wars. With that being said failure really angers me. I know no one is perfect and we all fail at something in a point in our lives. But when I fail at something, rather it be a test or in a game, and I really work for it, it makes me feel like a failure and gets me in my feelings. It shouldn’t be possible to put 100% into something and get anything less than 100% out, but it has happen to me and it is unexplainable, embarrassing and just plain upsetting. I guess moments like those are important because without knowing the feeling that failure brings I wouldn’t feel the joy of Success. Success for me doesn’t mean being the best. In school it means learning the material that is taught to me and understanding it. In sports it means to work and improve on my technique. I never strive to be the best because there is always someone better, but I will always strive for improvement.
ReplyDeletehey kayla! I really love the fact that you adore your competitive behavior and I can literally see that in your personality. with sports and even school work that will get you so far in life. don't be scared of failure though, because that eventually leads to success
DeleteHey Kayla, I like how you made competitiveness such a positive thing. Plus you made a good point when you stated how just because you prepare yourself it doesn't mean you will win. Although you are competitive you obviously have good sportsmanship since you can come to that conclusion and I think that is what makes an athlete a good one. Plus you talk about how success doesn't mean being the best and I could not agree with that more!
DeleteI value trust the most in my life. In the real world, there are people who are not truthful and I hate those kinds of people. Why? Because, friendship is built on trust. If you don’t trust the your “friend,” then why would you talk to them. We are able to talk to our friends about our feelings because we trust our friends who will keep our feelings a secret. As a friend betrays me, that trust bond is broken. Suddenly, that friend who I know better than anyone else is not there anymore because I don’t trust him/her anymore. Once someone betrays someone else, it is very hard to build that trust again.
ReplyDeleteThis thing called trust makes me so mad and scream at times because it creates so much pressure. Every day I look at a friend and ask the question, do I really trust them? When a friend actually betrays me, that’s when I want to pull my hair out. I now look at the friend differently because of this five letter word, trust. It makes me want to cry that a best friend may have a capability like that. Trust also fills me with joy too. I think that every day I am lucky to have friends that I can lean on and talk to.
As humans we are reliant on others, which stimulates our emotions. We need to have someone we can trust to function being either friends or family. It’s natural for us to get angry one day and feel upset another day, heck we can even feel that we are on top of the world, but the real point is that we have friends whom we trust to be next to us to bring us back to normal. Trust plays a big role in my everyday life and it is what I value the most.
Sandy, I see where you're coming from when you talk about trust. Trust is the core of any relationship and it is important to me too. Trusting people is good but, it can also lead to disappointment. It is scary to trust people because even though we value trust, the other person may not. Another thing I liked about your post is that you used trust for both answers because you explained how it can be good but, also make you want to scream.
DeleteAlthough this blog opened my eyes about how I perceive certain things in my life, materialistic “things” to be more specific, it stumped many of us. It’s true that as teenagers, we don’t pay attention to what we truly value because of the lack of time, or because we’re too busy being a carefree kid. We focus on materialism because it’s simply easier and that’s what we look for… the easy way out. Materialistic things have surface value, things or people you can touch and talk to because you like them, or need them but there’s a deeper reason as to why we like or need them. And that’s the non materialistic value of the materialistic things we cherish. I personally value my huge family, my boyfriend and my best friends who support me, are there when I need or simply want them, and always push me to do better. But of course that’s not what this blog post is asking. I dug deeper than the people I value and came to what I truly value and that is loyalty. Loyalty is something not everyone gets the chance to have in their life, but man would I be lost without it. Loyalty is one of the best things you could have because with loyalty there comes love, trust, happiness, support systems and so much more that is vital to living a successful, happy life. But on the flip side, without loyalty comes unfaithfulness, distrust, deception, which is one thing that makes me so mad I could scream.
ReplyDeleteSince I value loyalty so much, deception fills me with the uttermost animosity. I CANNOT STAND when someone isn’t honest or “stretches the truth,” especially to just make them look better or to benefit themselves. Being deceitful makes a person hideous in my eyes and there’s absolutely no excuses for it. It makes a person so low it’s unbelievable. Although there is many different types of deception, every last one of them is unacceptable. In addition to what fills me with the uttermost animosity, there is one thing that fills me with unabashed joy. Gratitude makes me the most happy for many, many different reasons. For instance, if you give or do something for someone and they have gratitude you feel so good that you could make someone so thankful for what you did, instead of them leaving you feeling like what you did wasn’t good enough, that they wanted more. I feel as though gratitude pleases me so much because being a girl comes with a lot of judging, competition, and ungratefulness. As we know, girls seem to always want to be better than the other girl in any aspect of her life, for what reason I personally don’t know. But, I see it and experience it all the time and these types of girls are greedy and want more and when they get more, guess what they want… MORE! Nothing’s ever good enough and they’re never satisfied because they can never be thankful for what they have. But as we also know, there are girls out there-- yes they do exist surprisingly-- that give nothing but gratitude and appreciate and thank not only other girls but everyone for all that they do for them, no matter how big or small the favor or task was. Don’t get me wrong, this doesn’t only obtain to girls, it goes for anyone who can get passed the wants and appreciate what they have while they have it, because one day we might not as we’ve all experienced before.
Loyatly has been a very hard thing for my "friends" to understand. I've never had a friend down with me. That's never turned their back on me. I hope I'll find one. I do hate when people aren't honest. I do sometimes lie because my friends might not want people to know or to hide my emotions. It's hard to tell the truth because a lot of people out here get offended and say mean things.
DeleteHey Kay, I love that you pointed out how the materialistic things we value actually reflect our non-materialistic values, because that is completely true. We value others not only because we need or like them, but also because they posses something we value, such as friendship, or in your case, loyalty. I also agree that other people's gratitude towards you is very rewarding, because you feel like you made a difference in their lives. It's also a great feeling when you do something for someone else when you know you're not getting anything in return.
DeleteWhen I heard that questions can really make you think hard, for days, I didn’t take it as serious until I read this blog post. I value a bunch of things in life, but that’s the thing, they are just things. Love is everywhere, within family, friends, and relationships and that is exactly why I value love so strongly. I consider love valuable because it warms the heart and saves us from hate. I used to be used an angry person when bad things would happen to me and constantly question why but then I realized I needed to just love more and stronger. Before you can love anything or anyone, you have to love yourself first and that is why I value myself as well. No one is ever doing to have my back the way I have my back, sadly I learned that the hard way. I value sunrises and beautiful sunny days and I know they are just things but they make me so happy without even thinking about it and happiness is also key.
ReplyDeleteAlong with happiness can come anger and disliking. My sister stealing my clothes without asking and my mom constantly looking at my twitter makes me angry but the one thing that totally makes me cringe is broken promises. I hate to admit it but we are literally surrounded by them and nothing makes me more upset than that. I cannot stand when someone makes a promise knowing they couldn’t keep it. I learned over my high school years so far to not put my happiness in the hands of other people because I always end up disappointed.
I never knew a homework assignment, or a blog post in that matter, can bring me to tears. I never really realized I had a heart until I got it broken but then I also realized that was a good thing. My heart is still filled with love and I will not stop valuing and giving love out only because I was sucked away from it for a little. Thank you Bunje for reminding me again that I can always think deeper than the little picture that is shown in front of me.
Hey Heather! I agree with you when you said that people who break promises can put someone in a bad mood because it happens to me. But I also agree with beautiful things in life making someone happy, like the sunrise. I hope you don't let the bad days outshine all of the good ones!
DeleteIs this Heather Ann Risley? Maybe realizing that you value love has made you nicer because you have so sappy lately. But, I complete agree you should love yourself before committing to something or someone. Maybe not love something else because I love my mom before I loved myself. But as of now, god damn, I love myself. There is nothing wrong with it. Love you, ugly.
DeleteThe word “love” is used so haphazardly these days. She loves those boots, he loves that phone, we all love Harry Styles. The word “appreciate” has morphed into “love”. I find myself saying it too. But I can tell you without batting an eye what I really love, what makes me the happiest. I love music and I love strong, compassionate relationships/friendships. Both have made me tear up from overwhelming emotions, especially joy.
ReplyDeleteI could also tell you what makes my blood boil. Racism, sexism, homo-”phobia”(how can you be scared of someone's sexuality?), society’s gender roles, any disrespect to LGBTQ+ people and relationships, or disabled people, or mentally ill people: these all infuriate me.
Music helps people to just sing or dance out all their pent up emotions. Friends and family listen to problems and help figure out a solution. All those bad things that put people below others just cause hurt feelings. When I look deeper, they all intertwine. I like being understood. I like relating to others. I like knowing I’m not alone. So logically, I loathe ideas and insults that make people feel left out. I value community and understanding. I value caring for others. I value inclusion. In my perfect world, no one would feel alone due to exclusion.
Feeling lonely is awful. When you feel like no one would care if you weren’t there, that really hurts. Why do people say things to people to purposefully alienate them? Sometimes I think some people are born with a conscience. I just wish people would be more understanding of others and accept that they shouldn’t comment on what isn’t their business.
Melis, I can definitely see where you're coming from. I can see that most of these feelings come from the joy of singing together in a choir. (I can vouch that it's the best feeling ever.) And I see what you are saying every single day. Other people are constantly being alienated for who they are, and I think that it's the worst feeling to be left out or made fun of. Music is universal. I think that no matter who you are, it makes you connect simultaneously on an emotional level with the rest of the people in this godforsaken world. So, continue to make music, and connect with as many people as you possibly can. Just keep making people happy, you don't have to try too hard to do that. :)
DeleteI love-- wait, I APPRECIATE what you said about inclusion. Leaving people out or making people feel like they're unimportant is a really nasty thing to do. Anyone who has ever experienced it knows that it hurts, and it isn't easy to just brush off. I also completely agree with you when you say that you value community. Personally, I love being a part of something and having close-knit relationships with people that I know I can trust. For me, that's my tennis team. I'm guessing that for you, it's your drama family? Either way, let's make it a mission to never let anyone feel lonely ever again.
DeleteMelissa, you already know we share a mutual feeling about music. It keeps me going moving when I shouldn't be able to move. However, I agree with you even more about not alienating others. When we have all those talks at school about bullying all the students say they would never do that but turn around and call someone stupid to their face. Everyone just wants to be loved and I just can't see either how anyone would want another person to feel unloved. I'm glad you feel that way because you may be the person that someone needs to talk to one day.
DeleteYou really opened my eyes on how people misuse the word "love", Melis, because I do it too! Love is what your parent gives you as a tiny baby and all through your life. I completely agree on your values and on how they affect you because music and family/friends have made me tear up as well! Those things are something to love and I certainly appreciate that you love them!
DeleteWhen I think about what fills me with joy, a lot of things come to mind but, the thing that fills me with the most joy, is giving others joy. I really like to make other people happy whether I’m helping them with a task, making them laugh, or even playing them a song on the piano. It is satisfying to me when I know that I’ve done something good for someone else.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to things that make me so mad I could scream, I would have to say feeling like I have not reached my full potential. I have a lot going on in my life right now between school, sports, piano, sleep and making minimal time for a social life. Even though all these things stress me out due to time management, I think the main reason I feel so much on my plate is because I am so used to giving my all into everything. When I feel like I am lacking in an area, it drives me insane. I never feel that I have done enough which leads me to believe that what I have done, is not good enough. This perpetual thought process makes me so mad I could scream. Having so many things going on at once and not feeling like I’ve reached my full potential is what truly frustrates me.
The reason I have the reactions I do to these things, is because I feel passionately about them. I put a lot of energy into making others happy, and when I see how I have helped someone it is very satisfying. Similarly, when I can’t put my all into everything because I have too much to do in too little time, that is what makes me passionately upset.
First let me start off by saying you’re amazing at piano Jess and I'm literally blown away how good you are. I tried learning it but I gave up after six months. I completely understand when you feel like you have a full plate. It feels like there so much to do but theres not enough time. With so many things to do you feel like you can never give it your all to one thing because you’re trying so hard to do everything else. It happens to me all the time where I get upset because I knew I could have done better but because there was something else going on I wasn’t able to do it. You’re an amazing person so with so many talents so don’t ever feel like you’re not good enough.
DeleteI'm the same way when it comes to people. I feel utterly satisfied to see someone smile when I make them laugh or help them out. And I see where you're coming from, pertaining to activities, school, and sports. There's only so much time and effort you can spend on each, but you can't help but wonder if you tried your best in all of them. And I think that's okay. Because people like you and me always want to learn and do more with our lives. And through that quest for everything, there will be sacrifice but I know deep down that it's worth it.
DeleteDo you know what makes me the angriest? Like almost turning into The Hulk angry? (Seriously, sometimes I feel like I could ransack a whole city Godzilla-style.)
ReplyDeleteNot living up to your potential.
You see, I value hard work. What you put in has to be your absolute best, and if it’s not then why are you even doing it? Sure, I get when you do things for fun, but if you are, let’s say a varsity player, then you have to push yourself! You cannot give up no matter what, because why would you want to let other people and yourself down? What good comes out of that situation?
Nothing makes me even angrier than when someone is doing so well, but all the sudden messes up or encounters a bump in the road and then just, quits. Why would you work so hard at something that you love and just give up so easily?!
Perhaps what makes me fills with absolute joy, is when all of my hard work pays off. For example, I actually just came back from a field hockey game. Honestly, I constantly see myself flourishing as a player right before my eyes. About every game that the Lady Falcons have won, I have scored in, which has been my ultimate goal. There is absolutely nothing better out of what I have experienced in my teenage life, than scoring a goal. A VARSITY GOAL. I always think, wait, that was me? Yeah, I did that… On the other hand, nailing an audition? That’s a runner-up. It feels so great to go up, sing, and then congratulate yourself, because girl you know you just killed that sh*t. Then seeing your name on the cast list, etc., just tops it all off.
I guess the best explanation for why I have these reactions, is because I love to put all of my time and energy into the things that I am passionate about. I think I can safely say that I really excel in choir, drama, and field hockey. And I want to keep my momentum strong, because I can only go upwards from here. I value my hard work, and I think everyone should look at life that way, because it really can boost you up.
Even though I don’t see little Erynn ransacking a whole city, I totally agree with you! It can be so annoying to see someone not try as hard as they can to get something when they completely deserve if they just worked hard enough. I have heard you sing and dang your super good, so keep at it and never think of quitting because no matter what you will always get better. Your hard work is obviously paying off because you can tell, so keep it up and you’ll go so far.
DeleteI totally understand trying your hardest, especially in a sport, to give everything that you have and not have any regrets about it. Unfortunately, a goal in field hockey is not equal to any amount of points in tennis, so I can't fully grasp the idea of that satisfaction you would feel. Though, when you know you tried your very best, even if it just wasn't enough, there is nothing you can do but improve. Keep improving, Erynn!
DeleteWhat I value is honesty, and being true to yourself. Honesty, and being true to yourself means everything to me. I don’t want to be friends with anyone who isn’t honest with me or themselves. I’ve been through that path where you have a friend that always lies or makes up excuses and it’s not the best place to be. If you not going to be true or honest with yourself how do you expect to be true or honest with other people. Honesty means that you are truthful in every situation no matter what is it or who it involves. Being true to yourself tells me that you aren’t afraid to be who you are and could care less what people say. I’ve came to realize that lying gets you nowhere in life and that’s why I value these things so much. I feel this way about honesty and being true to yourself because you can’t far in life without being true and honest with yourself.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that makes me so mad that I could scream is when people stereotype African Americans. What I don’t understand is why people think that every African American is the same. Like any other race we have high values and intelligence also. They think all African Americans steal, are lazy, sell drugs, and don’t have common sense. Although some people live their lives like that the majority does not. If people actually cared enough to stop and look they would see the difference in us African Americas. One day, I was really embarrassed and hurt when two fellow students were having a conversation. One guy asked the other “what is the meaning of dirty?” I was disrespected and disgusted by what came out of his mouth. The guy said “BLACK PEOPLE” with the biggest smirk on his face. I was truly crushed that people still have this mind set of racism. This happened four years ago and I still get the chills every time I think about it. People should think before they speak because words truly do have impacts on others. My Nana always said “Once words are spoken they can’t be taken back no matter how many times you apologize.” With all that being said DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Stereotyping African Americans is wrong because you should not judge someone by the color of their skin. There is a couple of things that fill me with joy but the main two are waking up to see another day and knowing that my family and I don’t have to live in struggle. Waking up to see another day makes me happy knowing I have the support of my family, friends, and God. It gives me another day to learn and explore new things. Knowing that my family doesn’t have to live in struggle means the world to me. I wake up knowing that I don’t have to worry about shelter, food, and clothing. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a place to live, food to eat, and clothes on their back which makes appreciate everything more. Not only do I wake up blessed with life necessities but I’m blessed to have luxuries as well. There are people in the world that don’t get the opportunity to wake up to see another beautiful day. You never know what day will be your last so I appreciate every day I get to see the sunrise.
Sometimes I'm not honest but I am to you. You and I click. When I see you sad, it makes me upset. I don't like to see you upset or mad. I want you to have everything you've ever wished for. I love you no matter what. Also, this racism has to stop. People judge African Americans by just looking at the ones that make us look bad.
DeleteI can admit not all the time am I honest, only because sometimes when things get really bad I think the best or easiest way to handle It is to cover it up with something else. No, it doesn't really help for that long but at the moment it just feels relieving or I don't know, like it helped. I do agree honesty comes a long way but it also takes time and matureness to fully be that. However, I am for a fact true to myself I don't know why people care so much about what others think. You were made like that for a reason so you should embrace it.
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DeleteIt's sad that people in this world are so stereotypical. I have never looked at someone and thought about them being just like their "kind" and should do, like and act like how they do. Nobody should be like someone else but be their "true self" like what you said. I will never look at you as what those people look at you as. I see you as you. Never listen to those ignorant people.
DeleteWhen being asked this question there are three main things that come to mind. My main value is empathy, I value this because this one of the few things I am certain about myself. I know I am empathetic. I have been able to see where both sides of an argument are coming from. Even in relationships while arguing even though I knew I didn’t do anything wrong I always tried seeing it from their point of view try to understand how they felt. Being empathetic shows me that I’m also a person that values patience with others. It takes time to put yourself in another’s place and forget about your own feelings. I’ve always wanted to understand people more. I think it is the best way to understand people because everyone needs to be understood from time to time the most affective way is trying to see things from their eyes.
ReplyDeleteNothing makes me fume as much as rude people. The ones that aren’t patient with younger people, the people that are always treat employees poorly when they’re probably trying their best. I don’t see any reason to be impolite to anyone unless they harmed you in some way.
Getting to know strangers not only reassures me I have some type of people skills but also makes beyond happy. Just having conversations about the smallest things with someone I’ve never talked to before makes me excited because it is something completely new. You get to learn about them and know them just a little bit more than you would have ever before.
My blood boils at rude people simply because it’s unnecessary. You never know what kind of day someone is having so why be an asshole? I think I get so thrilled when I meet someone new because there is nothing like meeting someone for the first time.
I agree with you 100% ken, and knowing you since about 6th grade I can say that you are one of the most approachable people I know. You’re always smiling and are always there to talk. You are super fun to be around and I would see why you love meeting new people. I also hate when people are rude for no reason because you honestly never know what could be going on in their life.
DeleteIf someone asked me who the most understanding girl is at Oakcrest, I'd say you. Even when you fight with someone (and it is completely obvious that they have no reason), you still look frustrated with the fact that you can't understand them days after. I always try to look at both sides and understand them because I know people don't just do things for the heck of it. People do things to get something out of it and figuring that out will help you see their side. I always strive to understand someone's side and if I see that their goal in the predicament was stupid, I get a tad dramatic. Ken, you are definitely more reasonable and understanding and I appreciate you for that.
DeleteKennedy, being empathetic is one of the best qualities to obtain. Empathy is what most people lack in this selfish world. People who are empathetic are aware, understanding and caring. Having an empathetic friend is always good because they are the type of people to try and see from your perspective and really feel what you're going through. I agree with you on rude people too, they're the worst.
DeleteThere are many things in life that I believe to be valuable. Love, happiness, respect, and many others. Many people, however, like to take these feelings and things for granted. I do believe in the statement that says, people don’t realize what they have and how fortunate they are to have it, until it’s gone. Another problem is when people expect to receive respect or love, but aren’t willing to give it back. That’s what makes me angry. However, the most important thing to value is life itself. How lucky are we to even have gotten the chance to experience how great everything is? It’s okay to have bad days and to be in bad moods, because those bad days and those bad moods are what help shape the person you will become. When I was little, I never really thought much about the world, because, what little kid does? While growing up and seeing different people and things and having different experiences every day, I have gotten a completely different outlook on the world. Many people in society today don’t care about much, or at least act like they don’t. It’s good to show that you care about something because, in a way, it shows what kind of person you are. When something is valuable to you, it means that that object or thing is more to you than what other people see. My mommom gave me a necklace about 8 years ago. Inside is a picture of my great grandparents who I’ve never met before since they died a couple years before I was born. My family never understood why I wanted a necklace that had a picture of people who I’ve never met and to them they just saw a necklace. In my eyes, that locket was the greatest gift I could have ever received. The picture inside the locket was a picture of my poppop’s parents and my poppop has been like a best friend to me, and in my eyes, his parents must have been pretty amazing since my poppop turned out pretty awesome. So to me, that necklace is much more than just a necklace. It’s a wish. A wish that someday I will get to meet this great people that have had such a great impact on my family. When something has value, it’s worth way more than money could buy.
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DeleteLindsey, this is such a positive blog post. I understand what you're saying about valuing the important things and not taking things for granted. What you said about your necklace is really sweet. Even though you've never met your great grandparents, it's nice that you wear that in honor of your poppop. I can relate to that because I never got to meet my real grandpa (he died when my mom was a baby) but, I can tell what a great person he was due to how great my mom and her siblings are.
DeleteWriting about something you value, is something I find to be pretty difficult. In order to find out what you value you have to think deeper than normally. After looking back at past relationships and friendships, I’ve always found the quality of having an open mind very attractive. I value people that have open minds because in today’s society you don’t find it very often. People are so quick to judge and to label. They never consider that person's own thoughts and reasoning for their actions. Also, not a lot of people are interested and open to trying new activities. I like to think that I have an open mind about most things but when it comes to trying new things I’m usually scared to. Being in the company with someone who is open minded usually helps to push me to expand my horizons.
ReplyDeleteJealousy is a green-eyed monster. Jealousy is probably the one thing that makes me so angry I could scream. Whenever I’m in a situation where I feel jealous I hate it. It makes me feel ugly and like I’m trying to claim something that isn’t mine to claim. I hate what jealousy can make people do and how betrayed and hurt it can leave you feeling. I never understood why people would use someone to make a certain person jealous. I think that it’s low and in the end all it does is just hurt people. Thinking about what fills me with joy is a lot more difficult than you would think. I’m usually most happy when all my hard work pays off, especially in swimming. When I get out of the pool at the end of a race with the little bit of strength I have left I can’t help but check the time and see if I improved. I enjoy having my teammates and coaches depend on me because that’s when I know I’ll try my hardest. A lot of people think that I don’t care about swimming at all, especially my mom, but in all honesty I would go insane if I couldn’t jump in that pool every season and watch my times drop and eventually in the season set a new personal record.
The first part of this question was easy for me to answer, since I’m a level-headed person who doesn’t usually get mad about a large variety of things. However, when I hear someone make an ignorant comment about another person or group of people, I get really angry. My anger is more directed towards those who display ignorance when it comes to social issues. Today, these issues usually center around gender equality, police brutality, and LGBTQ rights. When I hear people defending things such as the wage gap or the “immorality” of gay marriage, I get really mad because this kind of ignorance keeps society from achieving a level of equality for all people. Often, those who are against movements such as feminism or LGBTQ rights don’t have all the facts, yet they still choose to make judgements based solely on their own assumptions. If these people just listened to reason or were more tolerant of others, the world could be such a better place. I especially can’t stand when my family members express ignorant comments, particularly about LGBTQ rights. I’ve gotten into fights with people in my family because of their unwillingness to accept others who are a little different from them. The majority of them are Republicans who support Donald Trump, and the fact that the people I love support such an ignorant man really upsets me.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I know this sounds cliché, but I’m the happiest when I’m at summer camp. The minute I arrive there, I’m surrounded by an incredible feeling of community that I’ve never found anywhere else. It’s not just the actual place, but also the people, who make it so great. Tolerance is practiced among everyone, and it’s evident in the diverse population of kids who spend their summers there. Those who cannot afford the total cost of camp are eligible to attend for free, and kids with mental disabilities are welcomed with open arms. It’s a place where everyone can be themselves without worrying about what others think. The atmosphere of tolerance is so evident that campers from the LGBTQ community often feel comfortable enough to reveal their sexuality to other people for the first time. This to me is incredible because it means that kids get to be their true selves at camp, and not just the person they pretend to be in order to please society. The camp also openly supports the LGBTQ community, and they are even in the process of installing gender-neutral bathrooms for those who do not identify with either gender. This is the only place I know of where people of all different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, sexualities, etc. are completely accepted for who they are. I’m a shy person in general so I also find comfort in this kind of judgement free atmosphere because I feel like I can actually be myself. This past summer, I was at camp for a month and I don’t remember ever being so happy for such a long period of time. The experiences I have had there over the past several years have taught me so much.
With that being said, what I value the most is unity and acceptance. I think the most important thing in life is to accept those who may be different from you and to make them feel wanted. People can’t help who they are and they shouldn’t have to change in order to meet society’s standards of “normal”. As a whole, we as a society value similarity when what we should really be embracing are the differences.
When I think of things I value I just want to talk about my friends or family, but that isn't the case. So instead Ill write about what makes up a true family or friendship, trust. Trust is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength in someone. Once trust is broken I will never look at you the same as I did. Out of all qualities a person can have, being trustful is most definitely the best quality you can have. I want to be able to talk to someone without them ending up going and telling everybody and their moms. Although, finding a trustful person is not easy. You may think you trust someone until they come up and stab you in the back, its a live and learn type thing. But what always tends to happen is that you decide to trust someone to fast, before you really know the true them, and then in the blink of an eye that trust is broken.
ReplyDeleteIf you know me you should know that I don’t really get mad, and its not like its a common thing. Certain people I just really cant stand, not just for no reason but because they are one thing, fake. I just don’t understand how someone can go from being your best friend to turning around and pointing out all your flaws to someone else. If you have something to say, say it to my face. Yes, I know the truth hurts, but it hurts even more than not hearing it at all. What always seems to amaze me is that people you think are you’re friends really aren’t. The funniest thing is that, when you try and confront someone about their fakes they all of a sudden "have no idea what your talking about”. Thats how you know someone isn’t really your friend.
If you know me you should also know that I could be the happiest person ever, just know if you catch me without a big smile on my face something is seriously wrong. One of the best qualities a person can have is to be able to make someone laugh no matter what the situation is. Everyone deserves to have that one person they can go to if your upset. No matter how sad you are, they can just talk to you and within seconds have you laughing and all of a sudden you forget why you were so upset. I love knowing that if I’m down I can go to that one person to turn my frown upside down. My favorite thing in the whole world is laughter and without it I wouldn’t be the person I am.
I'm the exact same way. I could trust someone for 5 year but once they do something to stab you in the back that trust goes away. Nothing is complete without trust. If your my friend I should be able to talk to you about any and everything knowing your not gonna tell anyone . Sometimes that isn't the case. I do hate when people are fake. I know a lot of people that are but it's none of my business. You're always laughing every time I see you and that's why I love you ! You are just that person that I can hug and and makes me laugh
DeleteI completely agree with you Altea. Trust is definitely something every relationship should have. I feel like it makes the relationship much more comfortable knowing that you have a person you can rely on. And i agree; it is hard to find, but once you do, you should never let it go! But just know: you're literally one of the only people I know who can turn any frown upside down!
DeleteThe one thing I truly value is change. Yes, change. Change, as in change of perspectives, environments, friends, etc. Many people are afraid of this happening in their life, but it’s guaranteed to come about and I’ve learned to accept it, and love it. It all started in my sophomore year where I had an epiphany halfway through the school year. I was content with everything in my life and I wanted nothing to be different. However, a turn of events had me in my feels. (Drake mode) I was in a two year relationship, and then it ended. For a while, you could’ve caught me listening to “Marvin’s Room” by Drake most of the time. But then, I realized that this was a positive part in my life. Yeah, it made me unhappy but this opens opportunities to meet new people and if the next one doesn’t work out, you’ll meet someone new and so on. Each person is an experience and you should be thankful for them being a part of your life. Like poetic genius Dr. Seuss says, “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” And this could be applied to anything in your life. For example, say you moved to another state. It’s a very big change and you most definitely would want to move back. But, moving would let you meet new people and experience new things. And eventually, you’re going to learn to love it there. Sure, you’re going to miss your old friends and house; but instead of crying about it, be glad you met them and be glad you spent a time in your life there. That’s what change does; it gives you new experiences and helps you grow as a person. I believe that change is one way of living a full life because just imagine living in the same city your whole life, not exploring new places and meeting different people. Of course, there are others who would prefer that, but this is what I value.
ReplyDeleteI hate when people make biased arguments. I’ll admit, I do it myself but I always try my best to see both sides of an argument. Although, sometimes I still end up being one sided. However, there are ignorant people who don’t even want to hear the other side of the story. And, they are so stubborn that they think they’re always right. I’m pretty sure I’m guilty of doing this many times. Oh well.
I love movies. Not even just watching them, but actually digging deeper into them and finding out what they actually mean. It’s like finding the deeper meaning in books, but on the big screen. There is so much that goes into a movie that people tend to not appreciate; like the soundtrack, motifs, behind the scenes, the list could go one forever. For example, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” has a whole documentary dedicated to the movie. In the documentary, several movie experts try to find out Stanley Kubrick’s underlying message within the film. You’d be amused to what these people have come up with. A movie with a good plot, great acting, and has more to it than meets the eye will fill me with joy.
Hey Zach. You’re absolutely right change is the scariest thing in the world, or so mr. Sera said several times, Americans hate change. But I’m glad you can say with confidence moving is a new experience. I on the other would freak out and cry over my life being uprooted and only then several months later come to your conclusion, maybe it isn’t so bad. And the quote you used is great because it sums u everything you had gone through and encouraged you to move past the clouds even if it rained a little because you didn’t care the sun was still shining. After reading your post I’ve learned you’re a level headed person and love that you too can see both sides, it avoids fights and a chance to talk one on one on an issue is so rare that we have to cherish it especially in the land of high school. Finally I didn’t know that you liked deeper meanings in books and movies, I guess Clark’s class was perfect for you interests and passions. By the way if you haven’t already Gone Girl is now my all-time favorite movie, not sure if it’s a chick flick regardless it’s a must see.
DeleteYo Zach I completely get where you are coming from. Every relationship, rather you're just friends or boyfriend and girlfriend, is an overall experience that you will learn from. Also I liked how you related it to moving. I moved when I was smaller from PR to here. I didn't want to leave but my mom always told me to try new things.
DeleteThere’s a distinct difference between loving yourself, and having such a big ego that your shirt won’t fit over your head. Nothing makes me more irritated than having to deal with someone who’s head is so astronomically large that it puts strain on their neck, and in turn, strain on my patience. Entitlement and narrow-mindedness are two of the worst traits, and if I’m unlucky enough to meet someone who possesses both, I have to make sure my “life alert” button is ready because trying to converse or reason with someone who can’t see beyond their own inflated ego is enough for me to say that “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”
ReplyDeleteNo one is better than anyone else. We’re all human, we all have worth, and we’re all equally important-- which is why I value humility. C.S. Lewis once said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” It’s not difficult to simply be considerate of others. We’re all dealing with different problems, and being cognizant of that can make a big difference in someone’s day. Yes, it’s extremely important to pamper and love yourself, but it’s also important to remember that you’re not perfect either. The world does not revolve around one person; it’s a huge obstacle course we’re all trying to get through. Thinking so highly of yourself that you bring others down is not okay.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, something that makes me happy is when others feel important and loved. We’ve all at one point felt that we weren’t important, or that we weren’t good enough. That feeling sucks, and I’m sure that no one who has experienced it would wish it upon anybody. If I’m ever given the opportunity to let someone know that they’re important to me, I will take it and run with it until I’ve become a cross-country phenom. Thinking a little less about yourself sometimes is not a bad thing. If we could all show one another that everyone is important and valued, it would benefit everybody.
The whole time I was reading this I was just like YES after every line because first of all these metaphors are top notch ("the world is an obstacle course"), second, I almost fell off my chair after reading that life alert part, and third, what you're saying here is like an extended version of what I was trying to say in my blog entry. Making sure that others feel loved is so important because no one should ever feel like they don't matter. It's especially maddening when people think that they are better than others, and even more maddening when they act upon those feelings by putting people down.
DeleteIn my sixteen years of life, I've learned to value what you have before it's gone, because nothing and no one is guaranteed forever. As a person, I value acceptance. Though I'm still a newborn, I've seen a lot of crap. People being harassed because of their clothes or the way they act or the way they speak has always given me a heavy heart. However, acceptance isn't only social. I also value emotional acceptance. It's important to accept what you cannot change. For example, you cannot change how people feel about you; at least not in a healthy way. You will drive yourself absolutely mad if you try to please everyone. The only person who needs to accept you, is yourself.
ReplyDeleteNOTHING BOILS MY BLOOD MORE THAN NOT BEING ACCEPTED FOR WHO I AM. Don't get me wrong because I'll laugh about it repeatedly, but that's only to keep myself from knocking people out. When people tell me that I speak as though I am white or act as though I am white, I become extremely puzzled. Last time I checked, grammar and AP classes do not have a race. Good grades do not have a race. Field hockey and lacrosse does not have a race. Singing does not have a race. I have a race. The human race. It doesn't hurt as much when white people say it, because it's funny. But when your own race, discriminates against you because you're trying to overcome a negative stereotype? It hits home. I feel like I act this way because the same people who are laughing at me because I've got mostly white friends are the same people who hate the black stereotype, and then contribute to the negative stereotype. I deeply refuse to apologize for trying not to be another statistic. Way too many people fought to see me succeed. They didn't get thrown off of bus, standing up for my rights, so I could start a fight with someone who doesn't matter. They didn't march in Birmingham so I could be disruptive and unproductive in school. The people before me, who fought for me, did so in order to see me do well.
Seriously love you bre and agree one hundred percent! It's not even being accepted by society but you have to accept yourself and who you are. I one hundred percent agree with the fact that no one of those things you described has a race and you are right generations before you did not stickup for you to then be disrespectful in school. I love you and the fact that you do not want to contribute to a stupid stereotype!
DeleteI honesty love your post Bre. People tell me all the time I act like a white person or that I'm not truly a black person because I don't act ghetto or anything. I'm not the typical African American as they would say. I don't know if that's a compliment or not. I get told because I don't eat certain "black" people food that I am not black. Since when does food determined what race you are? Most of my friends are white and I get asked all the time why I don't hang it with my own kind. I hang out with the people that make me laugh and love me for me.
DeleteThis is one post I can honestly relate to. I don't know how many times people came and told me why am I listening to the music I listen to, why I talk the way I do, why I act the way I do. "You don't act black", they say. How do you act black? Is acting black being rude, loud, lacking respect, etc? I just don't get it, but your not alone Bre it bothers me so much too.
DeleteThis question makes me think about a lot of things. It makes me question every relationship I have right now. I question these relationships because thinking about my values, what I believe in, what makes me mad or sad makes me think about theirs. Now I have never asked someone straight up "What do you value ?" but what they do shows me a little bit about what they value.
ReplyDeleteEvery single thing in my life at one point was messed up and how I handled those situations make me who I am today and value. Many times in my life my trust has been broken by someone close to me who I believed was on my side, but clearly wasn't, because of these people I have yet been able to trust someone completely. Being able to trust someone so much that you would put your life in their hands is so pure. It's amazing that a human being can be able to do such things. Trusting someone with your secrets, hopes,dreams must be amazing. It should be someone every human being should be allowed to do and because of that I value trust. I am not able to trust some completely, because of something someone else did, someone who I trusted with everything.One of the many things that make so mad I could scream, seeing someone who's trust has been broken because of someone who they have their whole life to. I know what it's like to have your trust broke into tiny little pieces and not know how to build it back up with someone else. It takes a strong person to come back from that, not everyone is able to and therefore aren't able to trust someone later on in their life. This makes me question many of the relationships I have right now because I don't know if trust is one of their values. I'm not sure that the value trust as much as me because of some of the things I have witnessed them do. Now sometimes people make decisions that they don't realize will soon break someone's trust. I am in no position I to judge anyone because I myself have most likely broken someone's and didn't even realize it. I think the main reason why i value trust is because so many people have gone behind my back in ways that i wouldn't even think of doing to other people.
I get to be a very selfish person when I address the things that I value most. I value happiness the most of all things in life. I love a good laugh or two. What I really love is when I get home from school and I finish all of my homework. Not only is this one of my biggest every day goal, but I feel like I have accomplished something huge. I know it's just homework, but after the homework it just gets better because now I have free time!!! Free time is not a surplus during the school year, but that is where I get my happiness from. I have had literally days of fun on video games (probably even months). On on video game I play I had about 300 hours played and to be honest I'm not at all embarrassed. I might seem like a loner and you might look at me different now, but i get enjoyment from video games. That was and still is one of my favorite things to do with my free time. This sorta goes along with video games, but television plays a huge part in my free time also. At the end of the day after going to bus stop at 6:41am and getting picked up from school at 5:20pm, then getting home and eating dinner, and after doing all of my homework, I finally get to sit down and watch a TV show or two. And unless something amazing happened that day, those two TV shows I watch are the highlights of my day.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that really makes me mad is when something stupid happened and I knew I could have stopped it form happening. For instance, in cross country or in track, when I am in a race and it is nearing the end and I am running with a normal sized kid and now we start finishing and he beats me by three or four strides. This is a stupid loss to be because I knew I am short, its not like I shrunk during the race, so I should have accounted for that and started to pick up my pace earlier than that kid so I could at least stand a chance. This makes me so mad because the whole race I was probably dodging elbows, because the kid was so tall, I should have knew he would have a kick.
Joe, I completely agree with on happiness. Also I know that feeling when you finish your homework and feel accomplished. Joe I don't like how you emphasized "normal sized people" because you aren't that much shorter then "normal sized" kids.
DeleteJoe I can tell you enjoy having a laugh or two. Every time you tell us a story, you laugh throughout the entire thing. It's hard to understand the story; and there usually isn't a plot to your story. Nonetheless, it's hilarious. Now that I know you play video games in your spare time I don't think I'll be able to look at you the same way… That bothers me too; when something stupid like that happens and I can prevent it. Especially when the man I'm marking scores a goal. I know I could have prevented it but it's just too late.
DeleteJoe, you're really lucky that you have a lot of spare time because usually when I get home I go right to sleep. Then the rest of the night is homework. I wish I had time for video games like I did in the summer. There's absolutely nothing wrong with playing video games all the time because I always fiend on them too.
DeleteJoe... I just wanted to start like that because everyone else before me started off like that. Anyway, I love how little things add up too. Nowadays people don't see much value in little things, like conversation and in your case, free time. Furthermore, I love how specific you are in this post. You said the bus picks you up at EXACTLY 6:41am, and you also described the guy racing next o you as a "Normal," sized kid.
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ReplyDeleteI value me as a person and I value my caring personality. I always have sympathy for other people and care deeply about the people I get close to. I know that some people basically only care about themselves and that disappoints me knowing that they could make a change in somebody else’s life. If I didn’t have a label next to me like a gymnast, or a student, or daughter I would value my ability to be able to think about other people other than just myself. Even without all those titles I could still be known for doing the right thing and always helping people. I also value my happiness. In life I think nothing really matters unless your happy doing it. You could be a star NFL football player, but if you’re miserable playing your sport than what’s the point? I always thought that happiness will lead you in the right path which is why your happiness is so valuable.
ReplyDeleteThings that make me so mad that I can scream is seeing helpless people get picked on. For example seeing a freshman who is shy and timid that won’t say anything back to the bully continue to get picked on. It just makes me think how insecure can the bully possibly be to be picking on someone so innocent. I guess I just have a low tolerance for idiots. Also, another thing that pisses me off is when people don’t follow through with their plans. For instance, if my friend and I were to make a plan to go the movies next Friday and I planned my schedule around that day and then Friday 1 hour before we are going to the movies she remembers she can’t go anymore then my plans are canceled. I don’t like people who are unorganized and can’t follow through with anything. I know this seems like a personal problem but it aggravates me so much.
Seeing my hard work payoff is probably the number one thing that gives me unabashed joy. Sometimes in life and even in sports things get tough and you want to give up but remembering and seeing your end goal achieved lets you know that all your hard work was worth it. When times get tough that’s the most important time to push through and never give up. Because just think to yourself, after you get through this hump of hard times there’s a reward waiting for you on the other side. This is why seeing my hard work pay off makes me so happy.
I agree with you so much. I feel like happiness is a very very important emotion to value. It could literally change your mood and day in a minute if became mad or upset.Happiness is something you should be proud of having. It's something extra that a lot of people don't have. Your second paragraph really hit me. I couldn't agreed more. I absolutely hate when kids are being picked on. Especially if they can't help it. Like hello, it isn't their fault if they can't help something. You shouldn't be an asshole to them. I mean how would you like it if someone was making fun of you? It wouldn't make you feel good. I loved your response. I agreed with everything you said. :)
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DeleteHey Jasmine, I thinks it's awesome that you value yourself. When I was thinking of things that I value I don't think I would have ever said myself and I think it's cool you did. In reading these blogs know one else wrote that. And you connected it with happiness because to value yourself it just goes along perfectly that you would value your happiness as well. So I think it's cool you value both, more people nowadays need to value themselves teenager lack that confidence lately.
Material things have never mattered much to me. I could care less if I’m not wearing the hottest outfit or if my friends are “cool” enough or how much money I have. Although those things can seem important to others my life has never revolved around other people’s thoughts about how I look because that doesn’t matter. I only care about who loves me. The best way to live is to love generously and receive it. Love is a necessity to humans because it is the source of light in this world. Nothing is stronger than real love. Among all other things I value love the most.
ReplyDeleteOne of love’s great attributes is forgiveness. I make mistakes on a daily basis that may hurt other people even when I don’t know it, but because the people in my life love me they forgive and forget. There are an uncountable amount of times my sister and I have fought and called each other terrible things. Sometimes it takes a while but once we forgive each other our relationship gets stronger. However, if we had not forgiven each other I would have no one who makes me laugh as hard as she does on rainy days. I am not perfect, without forgiveness I couldn’t live with myself.
Moreover, love understands. It’s extremely important to understand what other people are going through before you put your two cents in the picture. It angers me how most people can’t look further than their own experiences to comprehend what others are going through. Many students in high school make fun of the kids that don’t wear the best clothing and don’t even bother befriending them. However, that kid most likely doesn’t have the money to buy expensive clothing. Some kids never think this way because they never have had to deal with a lack of money at home and don’t know what it is like to not fit in, physically, with all the other kids.
Without love I am just a face in a picture. Without love I am just extra space in the classroom. Without love I am just another animal walking on the earth. A doctor named David Hamilton doing research on the health of new born babies stated, “…when infants and children are starved of love and affection, their bodies do not grow as they should.” Not only do we need love emotionally but we literally need love to physically grow. That’s why we cherish relationships with friends and family because there is no greater feeling than being loved.
Elena, you literally took the words right out of my mouth! Who cares about having the most money, or cool shoes. If you're happy with where you're at now, then nothing else should matter! Love yourself, man. That's the way to go! But though, I feel like love can be a weakness too. For example, when you're in a relationship, and the guy does something that makes you uncomfortable, and says stuff like, "Oh i'll change!" And you being so in love with that person, forgives him and takes him back. Some may call it "real love", but is it really? And that's the thing about love. There's more than one side to it. Love can bring out the best in us, but it can also bring out the worst.
DeleteWhoa Elena, look at you using a quote! I was with you from the start, but the quote just sent the message home. Love is a very powerful and strong thing. Love comes first, but there is true strength in forgiveness. To forgive is to let go of resentment, and that can set you free.
DeleteI really like your response. Have a great day!
To be completely honest with you a lot of things piss me off to the point of no return but then again they only piss me off because they mean so much to me . A big thing that I continue to screw up and struggle with is trust . Trust ,there has got to be a million opinions on the meaning . But one definition well depending sometimes on the people there are plenty definitions . Since January of 2012 I've been a scared dog because a feeling came over me then that I still struggle with . It's love ,the idea of love is amazing I value the the idea of what it's really like and how it really feels there's hope for all of us at some point .But in a lot of cases love and trust don't mix and I despise that thought. But then again at the time there was no mix of trust and love there couldn't be .I was in a place of denial I didn't want to think anything was wrong with it or our situation but believe me there was . There was so much wrong with it , everything was honestly wrong . I was being lied to all the time , I mean all the time but I was so "in love" with the idea of love and trust that I was lost . It made me mad everyday but I cared more about it everyday with all the hate I had towards it , I must have admired how much I hated it .
ReplyDeleteIn a way love is such a value I despise but take in so greatly . I value love in ways you may think you can't . I view things differently because of love . There is so many ways to describe love and loves work . Loving your self first is the biggest thing .You need to value the love you have for yourself before you could ever think to love anything else . It's so hard to examine love because of all the forms there is but there are so many forms we take advantage of everyday . I value the feeling I value the idea I value the words that people speak to me when stating the words I love you . As teens a lot of us don't think about values , I'll be honest some days I don't give recognition to all the values I have because I'm so busy with other things I'm thinking about . There's more than two ways there's different was to deal with things. A lot of us don't make great decisions because we don't have time to think these decisions out . We say "I don't care I'll deal with it later " because we don't want to handle it on the spot and say something or do something Misleading without even thinking . I want to say everyone has different values but we all have a very strong values that we value at the end of the day .
I agree totally with you about love being a scary thing. Going into the unknown is one of my worst fears. And it's hard to give someone your trust when you're not certain on how the outcome will be with that person. I love how you said that you should love yourself before anyone else. And I also agree when you said that sometimes we don't realize or think about the things we value.
DeleteI value respect, or just appreciation in general. No matter what their status is, I feel like everyone goes through some sort of battle in their life. And we often take that for granted. There are people out there who work hard each and every day to give us the best, and yet we turn our heads the other way, and act like nothing happened. They could literally slay a dragon for us and we still wouldn’t even know. Everywhere we go, everywhere we look, we’re constantly surrounded by these people. To us, they’re just “another person”. But they’re more than that. They’re the ones who hold the door open for us. They’re ones who clean up our mess after lunch. They’re ones who stay after school to tutor students. They’re the ones who wake up early to take us to school. But we don’t see that, because to us, its “normal”. We’re just so use to this stuff, it doesn’t even cross our minds anymore. We leave our trays on the tables because we assume the custodians will clean them up, but we forget they have to clean up after our other messes too. We cause distractions in class because we’re trying to avoid doing work, but we forget there’s some people in our class who actually want to learn. We forget about the others and focus on ourselves. If the roles were switched, I know I would feel like poop. It would make me feel unwanted, unappreciated. And no one should EVER feel like that. That’s why I value respect so much. It doesn’t even take much to do. Just think of it this way: that little show of appreciation can make a big difference in someone else’s life.
ReplyDeleteI generally don’t get mad. I mean, have you seen me angry before? Yea me either. I just mostly get annoyed. And the one thing that annoys me the most is when people complain. Why whine like a little baby? It doesn’t make you cool. I just don’t understand. You signed up for this, you should be fully aware what is a stake. I get complaining here and there, but every single day? Those people need to go. (Just kidding, I’m not that mean!) But on the other note, what makes me really happy is seeing other people happy. It’s great to see them all smiley and whatnot. It just tells me that they’re having a good day, and as cliche as this may sound, everyone deserves to have a good day!
Hey, Jasmine! I love the way you put this. I honestly didn't think of respect when I thought of value. I wish I had because I loved your examples of respect. I agree especially with the lunch trays left on the tables. It really isn't hard to walk that extra 3 feet to the trash cans and throw YOUR trash away. You're old enough to do it. I also agree with the distractions in class. I get so annoyed when people are yelling and hollering to their friend on the other side of the room. I'm over trying to learn and I can't hear the teachers instructions. After reading your response I'm going to show more appreciation to my dad for getting up with me in the morning and taking me to the bus. :)
DeleteCome to think of it, in the long year that I've known you, I have never really seen you mad. I feel that even the smallest amount of appreciation can go a long way. Such as, saying thank you to someone especially when they don't even have to do something for you.
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ReplyDeleteMost of the things everyone values is stuff like love, happiness, family, friends, I value all of that but something I really value is my struggles. That probably sounds weird and whoevers reading it is like what but you will understand after you read this. I value sucky situations that I've dealt with and gone through. I am not saying i love having problems and battles to deal with, I am saying instead of looking at it so badly i realized to look at those things in a good way. It’s hard to understand but I value that stuff because it makes you so much stronger as a person. If my life was simple I wouldn't be me. If I could just go through life without a worry or care in the world and didn’t have major struggles and things to hold me back what kind of person would I be. The things that I have gone through and still go through have made me a better person If I didn’t have those struggles I wouldn’t know how to deal with life when it is thrown at me. So oddly enough, I value my struggles because without them I don't think I would be half the person I am.
ReplyDeleteWhat I absolutely hate is when people judge someone and they don’t know their current situation. It really drives me insane and makes my blood just boil. I do not understand why people are so judgemental when they have no idea what someone is going through in their life. it just doesn’t make sense to me and it makes me so frustrated. for example a lot of people look like they have it all together on the outside, but they could be dying on the inside. I just can't stand when people automatically think something about someone because they are a certain way. Just because you look fine and have it all together doesn't mean you are and no one should automatically expect a person has never had problems because they are pretty or popular. everyone has their issues some more than others and i just absolutely hate when people are judged.
I respect that you value your struggles. Of course people complain and wish that they never gone through them. I'm a culprit of do that but what you said was true; it does make you a stronger person and you learn from your mistakes to hopefully do better. I don't see that as being weird but being the truth. Also, judgement is what makes me furious. I loathe when people treat people badly no reason at all. I sometimes just pray that they karma "the b*tch" comes around and teaches them a lesson.
DeleteI honestly want to say it is patience that I value. As teenagers we all lack this weather we notice it or not. Being patient is having the ability to tolerate or put up with certain things. This is the thing we poorly deal with when we really want something and don’t want to wait any longer. No matter how hard it is to get where we want to go we have to allow what is negative and use it as our motivation. With the motivation we use it as a tool to keep on trying and to not quit (patience). I know we were all told over and over again to “never give up” and as cliché as it is it still holds truth and a lot of meaning. Personally, I can admit I was never good with having patience. This is a virtue I will always struggle with no matter what is may be toward. However, I know for a fact I am learning how to cope with it more which is maybe why I value it. Actually I learned being patient can take you to wherever you have your mind set and that was from personal experience. Recently, I haven’t been getting upset much about what I haven’t been able to accomplish because I know with effort it will come eventually. What drives me crazy though is seeing others think what they want is suppose to magically fall in front of them or just appear with no hard work. I noticed some don’t like to put in their part or effort because they are scared the outcome won’t be what they want. Don’t get me wrong, that may happen a couple times but that is where patience falls in. You have to have those set backs and obstacles to encourage you to keep going, to follow what you want or believe in. A message to put out to everyone is to never quit trying. Yes, this is your hundredth time hearing it but this time try to put a little more thought into it, it does mean a lot more than we have all been thinking.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with this Ni. I have a lot of patience but I know people that don't. It can be annoying at times but its something you have to grow and keep learning how to do. I've been getting upset this past week too and I just tell myself to just wait it out and it will all get better. Never give up is a saying I've been using my whole life. I would never be the person I am today if I would of gave up and never tried. Patience and never giving up plays a big part in my life. I'm glad I could relate to this.
DeleteMaterial things have never mattered much to me. I could care less if I’m not wearing the hottest outfit or if my friends are “cool” enough or how much money I have. Although those things can seem important to others my life has never revolved around other people’s thoughts about how I look because that doesn’t matter. I only care about who loves me. The best way to live is to love generously and receive it. Love is a necessity to humans because it is the source of light in this world. Nothing is stronger than real love. Among all other things I value love the most.
ReplyDeleteOne of love’s great attributes is forgiveness. I make mistakes on a daily basis that may hurt other people even when I don’t know it, but because the people in my life love me they forgive and forget. There are an uncountable amount of times my sister and I have fought and called each other terrible things. Sometimes it takes a while but once we forgive each other our relationship gets stronger. However, if we had not forgiven each other I would have no one who makes me laugh as hard as she does on rainy days. I am not perfect, without forgiveness I couldn’t live with myself.
Moreover, love understands. It’s extremely important to understand what other people are going through before you put your two cents in the picture. It angers me how most people can’t look further than their own experiences to comprehend what others are going through. Many students in high school make fun of the kids that don’t wear the best clothing and don’t even bother befriending them. However, that kid most likely doesn’t have the money to buy expensive clothing. Some kids never think this way because they never have had to deal with a lack of money at home and don’t know what it is like to not fit in, physically, with all the other kids.
Without love I am just a face in a picture. Without love I am just extra space in the classroom. Without love I am just another animal walking on the earth. A doctor named David Hamilton doing research on the health of new born babies stated, “…when infants and children are starved of love and affection, their bodies do not grow as they should.” Not only do we need love emotionally but we literally need love to physically grow. That’s why we cherish relationships with friends and family because there is no greater feeling than being loved.
Elena, you are one the most sophisticated people I know. You always look at the bigger picture and have an open mind. I appreciate how much you respect others and in turn, you have a respect for yourself. Your writing was inspiring and touched my heart because it contained depth and meaning. Love is what everyone everywhere should value because it is the foundation of human life. I appreciate that you included the study of newborns and how it is necessary to have love because I read about that somewhere and it only makes sense! Great blog.
DeleteSo you asked what makes me so mad that I could scream the answer isn’t so simple. But I guess you weren’t looking for one that is so. In my life I predict there will be many things that will make me want to rip my hair out. Deception, lying is terrible in many ways don’t get me wrong, but having only a high school experience there’s not much else within the walls of any high school no matter how saintly. So I think of, backstabbing, lying, drama as a cliché. It probably isn’t great that I’m accustomed to something so sinister yet entirely avoidable. Anyway in this point of my life I can’t think of something that is truly aggravating that I could fight against, without making it into politics and such. Therefore my answer to what makes me mad also a little sad is that moment when you think of something incredible, maybe a little important, maybe an epiphany and its lost within milliseconds of it surfacing. That little thought of realization or reminder is then lost forever. Sitting for hours won’t work, its possible retracing your steps but even then it’s a big gamble. Nothing, and absolutely nothing will help to rearticulate that single thought, which could have saved the world or a life. It will never be known again, and we in turn will never know its importance or purpose.
ReplyDeleteWe all say we never “really” need our material things, but to truly have nothing, we will never know a life. Technology is going to rule the world and once we have a phone in our hands, is it really that easy to give it up? Maybe 50-60 years ago, to people that have not grown up in the advances we have the privilege of using, sure it would be easy to look up and smell the air. For today’s world, for most of us it’s not so simple. Technology is literally the basis of our lives, academically and especially socially. Which leads to what I value the most. Books. It’s a material thing, I get it. Millions upon millions of books written each year for entertainment or knowledge, they are doors to a person’s mind. They let you take a peek inside without revealing the blunt story. It is personal experience and advice inked onto a page. Books are a gateway out, of drama, of the world, it’s an escape from reality. They have the ability to inspire and revaluate your own life. Novels may be standing on the borders of fantasy, but it’s the interpretation a reader takes out of the printed letters that make them worthwhile. That said what I really value is the ability to start again. Books are just one source that aid in the process. But its takes personal belief and determination to turn your own life around. Whether it’s quitting drugs or changing your head to toe look to match your persona from within, in America anything is possible. It’s the country of dreamers. To begin again, is hope that nothing or no one can really fail at life. There is always a way to turn back, or a new path to create. Unabashed joy or more like peace of mind that we have the potential to be great even if it’s not at first glance.
There is absolutely no reason for people to be as negative as they are. Even walking down the halls everyone is so mean to each other and purposely trying to make people feel worthless. It makes me cringe that giving someone a compliment is considered to be a way to get on someone's good side or just to be up their butt instead of fully intending what you meant giving them the compliment in the first place. I despise how normal it is for someone to “grind someone up” instead of saying how nice they look or how well they did in the game. When life starts to be made out like a competition is when hectic breaks loose. Why compete with our friends or our class mates over stuff that is so irrelevant to our lives? It's so much easier just to be positive. Negative minds are why people are scared to speak their opinions or have the confidence that is 100% needed. There is always going to be reasons to be sad but being positive is the only way to fix it. I hate it when people waste time being negative when everyone moment is the perfect time to stay positive or turn a negative situation into a remarkable one. I value confidence so much. Growing up, I was that kid that never had confidence and always just got pushed around. Confidence is my life. And maybe I’m a little too confident to some people. I was always scared people would hate me for being me or I wouldn’t be relevant enough for people to care about. I grew out of my shell in 7th grade and I’ve never been so thankful for the burst that grew inside me. The girl that shadowed all her friends and never stuck out actually became independent. My confidence bolted through the roof and it might not seem like much but even giving a presentation I know I will always feel comfortable. I never get super nervous to the point I feel like I can’t do anything. I believe that everything you put your mind to is so capable only with the confidence you have with yourself. It can truly take you a far way. The girl I used to be is nowhere to be found within me. Confidence completely made me an overall happier person.
ReplyDeleteHey Teag! You’re probably the most happiest person I’ve met and it’s so sweet how nice you are to everyone. Sometimes when I’m in latin and I’m upset you somehow know and you try to cheer me up. You have such a positive outlook on everything and I wish I could have that. You really are a confident and beautiful person Teag.
DeleteI bet a lot of people feel the same way you do Teagen. I know I do. It just seems wrong to not be kind to people just to be a good person and not to get some sort of social advantage. High school turns into a jungle sometimes, and it can turn ugly quickly. Maybe if there was a group of students willing to stand their ground and try to change the school, it would be a much more positive place.
DeleteHey cous, I already did my three replies but, I really wanted to tell you that your post is so relevant. Everyday when I walk down the halls all I hear are negative comments. It's sad that people have to question whether someone is giving a genuine compliment, or "gassing" them up for their own benefit. I also can relate to what you said about confidence. I broke out of my shell around 7th grade, but even now I still realize how important it is to be confident. It's really great to see the confidence in you today, and to know how far you've come as a person. love you 23.5
DeleteI absolutely hate being sad and seeing people sad. There are days that you can be sad because everyone has those days and you need bad days to show you what a good day is. You need to be sad to truly know what happiness is. Ohso once said, “A certain darkness is needed to see the stars.” This is basically saying that there are days that you are sad and there are bad days but those moments and those days just help you see how much better happy days are. If you are always sad and pessimistic you are usually missing out on the little things in life. I value happiness and experiencing. To be one hundred percent honest happy is the best feeling in the world. When you are laughing so hard that you start to cry (literally me even with dry jokes) and your stomach hurts is so amazing. When you are happy everything else just goes right and you do not even see it happening. I value experiencing and even though this may be materialistic I value traveling. Experiencing the world and seeing it from every angle is my dream. Also just experiencing life itself, without boundaries. I know make parents are worried about me but sometimes I wish they would let go and stop putting up so many rules and walls. I need to experience life and make mistakes so I can physically learn from them. Without making my own mistakes I will never understand things. If I only do what I’m told because the person giving advice has been through I will never fully get what I did and I won’t learn from the situation. The reason I hate school is because I hate tension and stress. You are never happy when you are tensed or stressed and that is literally the definition of school. School is no longer about learning it is about finding a way to teach to the test and get a good grade no matter if you know the subject or not. I value the season of summer and calmness. Summer may not take all but it does takes a good chunk of my worries away. There are not nights in the summer that I am up late cramming for a test or worrying about who put grades in on genesis. Summer is filled with peacefulness and quietness but also crazy happy days and nights. I value summer and beach days because those are what make me most happy. Being happy is the ultimate thing that I value because it is just such a good thing I can’t even try to describe it.
ReplyDeleteHappiness, traveling, less stress, takes me back to some of my favorite summer days and nights. "School is no longer about learning it is about finding a way to teach to the test.. subject of not" is straight facts! I'm currently stressed and worried on grades when I forget to process what I learn. Wish every night was filled with peacefulness but I guess we just have to get through darkness first huh?
DeleteI love this so much Hale. You are one of the most positive people I know and I'm so happy I get to have someone constantly in my life to show me what happiness is. You have such a good heart and you admire all good and bad things in your life as a positive outlook. I can't agree enough on how you said to truly know what happiness is you need to be sad and your quote is so amazing. This made me smile so much, keep doing you crazy girl<3
DeleteThis post honestly made my night. Seeing other people sad especially the people im close to honestly just hurts me I cant stand seeing it. You are one of the best people I know and always so happy The quote you said about how you need darkness to see the stars just got to me, because without true unhappiness you will never understand or value real, actual happiness. I love the way you look at life and just how you think of everything. Couldn't agree with you more.
DeleteThere are a lot of things that make me mad but there aren’t many that make me so mad it could make me scream. I wouldn’t even describe it as being mad, more like annoyed or frustrated. The fews times that I have genuinely been mad over something was because it was important to me. It would have to be extremely important for me to get so worked over about it. That is why I hate when people expect to be given respect when they do not deserve it because what I find most important is respect.
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows what respect is. Some people just don’t know how to give it. Growing up we’ve all heard from our parents and other adults to respect others. However it is not right to respect someone when he or she does not respect you. What angers me even more is when the person expects to be respected. Just because that person is better than you at something or even if they are older than you, they should show respect for you and in return you should respect them. Whatever relationship you have with someone, whether your friend, a teacher, or a parent there needs to be mutual respect. Even though the respect you have for an adult or a parent is different from the one you have for your friend, no matter what there should be some respect. I am not saying this gives you a right to go disrespect an adult but it is definitely wrong for an adult to show no respect. How are children supposed to learn what it is when the the adults are not able to show it. Respect is a two way street.
Now trying to think what makes me happy is much more difficult than trying to think about what makes me mad. I’m not trying to be a cheeseball but what makes me happy is being able to appreciate the little moments in life most people ignore. This summer my family went to Vietnam and it was an amazing experience for me. We don’t have relatives living in America so coming to Vietnam meant being able to see our family again. I experienced a lot in Vietnam but what I remember the most was just being able to sit down and have dinner with my family. It was this little moment in my entire trip that made me so happy. Yeah having dinner with your family may not be that exciting but for me I don’t get to have that. It’s honestly moments like these that I appreciate.
Donna, I totally agree that many people want respect, but don't know how to give it. I also hate when people think that they are entitled to it. This situation usually happens when you have someone who thinks they are better than you or older than you. They think that since they have more authority that they can just talk to you any type of way. I worked as a Life Guard this past summer, and I have come across some very rude and ignorant people. Especially the parents that come there. Those parents think they don't have to follow my rules and that they can get nasty with me. But, the way I'm set up... well, we will leave it at that. I try not to stoop down to their level, but believe me when I say I can dish it right back. However, I wouldn't have to go through all that nonsense, if people learned how to show me respect in the first place.
DeleteThere are not many things that make me go mad. What I, and probably everyone here, hate when there are people who just stop, walk slow, or fool around in the Oakcrest hallways. Right? I get so infuriated when this happens that I start cussing out in my mind which, most of you know, is not something I would do. This has become a big problem for me because I have to go to the gym from 335 which is the last class at the end of the 300 wing. I have to run as soon as the bell rings because I know that there will be people in the hallway who just won’t walk fast enough. What’s worse is when a couple holds hands and takes up the entire hallway so I can’t even overtake them. I feel discourteous and bad when sometimes I have to push through the crowd.
ReplyDeleteWhat I value is stability. The reason for it is simple. It’s because life is nothing without stability. Everyone and everything, consciously or unconsciously, wants to be stable. Right? If you go to the micro level, you will see that our atoms strive for maximum stability. One would want stability in his/her relationships because, chances are that, it would be more successful. It is important for one to be emotionally stable. At our age, we feel a lot of stress. Right? An emotionally stable person would be someone who is not troubled by stress, calm, and even-tempered; however, he/she is also not accustomed to very positive emotions either. Basically, one reaches stability if he/she gets off of the “emotional roller coaster”. People who are emotionally stable generally are more happy with their lives. I want that and that is why I value it.
What fills me with unabashed joy is humor, especially the kind one gets to see on Big Bang Theory. I was really excited on the 21st because the new season for Big Bang Theory started. The anticipation was killing me. When I finally got to watch it, my “emotional roller coaster” was at the top. After about 20 minutes when the show ended, it fell drastically under the stability line. So, I guess, I am not stable due to my inconsistent mood changes. I tried my best to bring in some humor into this blog post. Those of you who know Sopuch probably got the humor out of this.
First let me start off my by saying Ms. Bunje I do agree with your theory that when a situation tests my resolve or challenges my moral fiber and forces me to examine my values I will try to ignore the situation until it absolutely HAS to command my attention. But it is not because I do not have the appropriate amount of time to think about. Now I am not saying I have loads of time but if it was something that I really needed to think about I would make time. In my case I put those situations off for a different reason. I dislike conflict and I try to ignore it at all costs. Not simply to ignore drama because well we all try to ignore drama but because I just do not do well with conflict. Conflict brings me great stress and anxiety. I also try to put off certain situations and things for the fear of finding out the answer. I try to avoid things that challenge my moral fiber because what if it makes me reconsider my whole life, than I would probably just end up stressed again.
ReplyDeleteI value freedom. That sounds strange but I feel like without it the things that I love I would not be able to love. For example, my faith. My faith is the sole thing that keeps me going everyday. I have the freedom to talk about my religion. In other countries people are tortured and even killed for openly speaking about their religion. But here I can talk about mine and live the way I would like to based upon my faith. Without the freedom to do so although it sounds a little extreme I would not know my purpose in life, and my reason to live. My whole everyday life is based on my religion. Before I moved to Mays Landing I used to get picked on for being the little innocent Christian girl and if I ever were to find out that was all for nothing, well I don’t know what I would do.
Now onto what makes me so mad that I could scream. Without even really thinking two things came to my mind when I read that. I beyond hate it when parents neglect their kids and when people break promises. Going to Oakcrest I know many kids, kids of all different backgrounds. I see kids whose parents do not say I love you ever to them or simply will not pick their kid up from school because they just do not feel like it at the moment. That greatly angers me, I know sometimes it just happens but I do not understand why people have children if they are not willing to be a parent to them. Every other Monday I babysit these two little precious girls who tell me all about their past foster moms and how they miss their last one and they don’t know why they had to switch again and that kills me. But nothing kills me more than the fact that when I talked to their caseworker it seems as if their parents are not even fighting to get them back. When parents neglect their kids that makes me want to scream.
Broken promises, that also makes me want to scream from the rooftops. Why do people make promises if they are not willing to keep them? Broken promises just lead to a kid growing up without the ability to trust.
In life I value freedom, for it is what I need to keep me going. I value love, I value trust, I value promises, I value hope and I value dreams.
Hey Kiley, I really relate to your apprehension towards conflict. Whenever a situation arises where conflict is inevitable, I also get really stressed because I care a lot about what others think (unfortunately) and I don’t want anyone to dislike me. I really admire how you openly embrace your religion because it shows how you’re not afraid to be yourself in front of other people. Standing with your values and beliefs is really important, especially when others could disagree with those values or even label you as the “little innocent Christian girl”. But you obviously didn’t let that negativity get to you, and I think that’s really great!
DeleteThis was very hard to think about. First I didn’t even know what the question was but I think I got it. Something that I value very much is kindness. Kindness is the one thing that could change a person’s whole day around. I know that I am kind. I know that I do not judge the kids I see in school or anywhere because I’ve seen myself that people are CRUEL. I’ve witnessed people crying because of words someone said about them or to them. I compliment everyone when I get a chance. I tell them I like their hair or their outfit, it could turn their whole day around just from showing kindness. I value kindness very much, it could have big impact on somebody. I have a lot of sympathy for many people, even strangers. It makes me sad to see people who don’t deserve the pain they feel. I value my kindness.
ReplyDeleteBut the one thing that makes me absolutely so mad is judgment. “Ew look at her hair?” “Ew why are her legs so hairy?” “Ew why does she smell like that?” “Why does she dress like that?” “Why is she so skinny?”. REASONS. They have their reasons. You have NO idea what people go through. You don’t know anybody's life. People are insecure enough as it is and others adding more shit to it and they have no idea what it’s doing to them. You shouldn’t judge people if you don’t know them. You shouldn’t judge people at all. Everyone is different and everybody just wants to be accepted by others so they can protect themselves from the judgment they are scared of getting.
The one thing that makes me happy is appreciation. Knowing the fact that you are appreciated by someone is an amazing feeling. Knowing that you mean something to someone is amazing. Knowing YOU are appreciated and that YOU are needed and that YOU are important. My younger brother and sister do not appreciate my parents at all. They are very ungrateful and they do not appreciate anything and it gets on my nerves because my parents bust their butts to do everything for them and they just ask for more and more and act like they don't get anything. I make my parents feel like they are appreciated because they are. What makes me happy is showing my appreciation and knowing i'm appreciated.
This is so heart warming. I'm glad you value kindness because you are a generally kind person. Ever since the second grade, you've always taken other people's feelings into consideration. I'll appreciate it always.
DeleteI have been bullied many times when I was younger because of how I looked. I wasn't the prettiest girl. I was shy and insecure and I've never told anyone how much I was depressed and ashamed of myself when I was younger and so I faked it off. Some people have came up to be and gave me compliments which made me think that I was beautiful in my own way. So it puts a smile on my face that you would show kindness to others who truly need it:)))
DeleteAs I have grown older and matured I came to realize that more and more things anger me to the point of no return. Many of them include lying, cheating, abuse to animals…the list goes on and on. But the one thing that gets under my skin like no other is betrayal. Betrayal is the root to all evil even before lying, cheating and the rest it all stems from betrayal. The idea of trusting someone with your heart and soul and then having that ripped away from you is not only terrifying but infuriating. Knowing that one person that you loved or looked up too wasn’t what they portrayed themselves to be or practically brainwashing you into thinking that what they do is right is a very difficult concept to grasp. So for many reasons betrayal is the worst because it not only affects you personally but mentally and mind games are no fun…at all. But on the flip side there is loyalty.
ReplyDeleteLoyalty, it isn’t an easy thing to achieve. Loyalty isn’t about coming through with a ride for your best friend or dating someone for a lengthy period of time, it’s about dignity, which in my eyes is the most respectable trait there is and ever will be (which makes me smile). But even that isn’t what I value most in life. (All of that up there was to prove my point as to why my next thoughts are what I truly value). More realistically, what I value the most in life is the diversity of it all. Diversity allows us all to have the capability to decipher who or what pisses us off and why. Without diversity, none of us would be writing these blog posts or have any thoughts. When you think about it diversity makes the world go round and all of us think straight. Being a human being and are fully capable of thinking for yourself, choosing what you like, and what kind of people you surround yourself with is and always will be my most valued possession or concept in life. Although betrayal irritates me and loyalty earn my respect, the diversity of it all is breathtaking and forever valued in my eyes.
You got deep, girl! I loved every second of it. Trust is such a huge thing, it always has been. Especially when someone already broke your trust. It is so hard to trust another person again because you don't want that betrayal. Oh and I so agree with you on the whole animal abuse thing. I hate it. Why buy a living thing and harm it's life. Did it do anything to you? No. If anything buy a pillow and harm that. It has no feelings.
DeleteThanks!!! I try haha. But yeah seriously though, people just annoy me period. that is why this blog post was a little tricky!
DeleteI value loyalty too but some people are too loyal. You know what I mean? Some people are loyal as your friend but also loyal as someone else's to the point where they're fake. One period they may act like your best friend in the whole world. But if one of their other friends doesn't like you and starts talking trash about you, your friend joins in and acts like their best friend "because they're being loyal" as their friend now.
DeleteI’ve been thinking about this blog at every waking moment and I even had freaking dream about how my values were stupid. I’ve come up with a conclusion, life is not black and white. Life is really freaking gray, and I can’t say I could find something for certain that makes me really happy or makes me ridiculously mad because my emotions can change depending on the situation.
ReplyDeleteYour perspective can really change everything. I could value something and then, see no worth in it because the situation is different. The way you see something is key. I could hate something that someone does because of the feeling associated with that person and the way the situation played out, but that same concept could be done by someone else and I could have no care in the world. Do you get what I mean?
So, I had MUCH difficulty finding something that I value because I kept realizing how much of a hypocrite I was being since I could find a way where that thing could mean everything and nothing to me. I thought about this blog for hours so when in doubt, ask your mom. DUH. Edward Allen Clark values coffee and cats and Bob Dylan, so I asked my other mother. My fresh-off-the-boat mother told me after I explained what value (excuse her broken English), “Value you and value being mad and when you sad because life not happy and that’s the good part.” I’m pretty sure Confucius or Buddha said something like that, but Momma Q can take the credit for now.
Therefore, I finally came up with this: I value life. Being here, living, chilling, eating, taking in oxygen, letting out carbon dioxide. Value the life you live, because it is all you got. Of course, terrible things happen, but test your strength or learn and live.
Maybe my blog makes absolutely no sense and maybe it is REALLY unorganized just know it was all Bob Dylan’s fault.
Everyone has different values, so you should not be surprised that Edward Allen Clark did not answer your question, even though, aside from “self-interest” and “choice c”, cats and Bob Dylan are usually the answers to everything. Had I asked Harry Vernon Matlack what to value he would have said, “Fami—no! God first; family second.” I would have disagreed with him because I am not Harry V. Matlack. I am Bryan J. Marengo Jr. (that “Jr.” is important; I am not obese and am not stupid enough to have four children). I value what I value, despite what your mother, Edward A. Clark, former teacher, Harry V. Matlack, and other mother, “Momma Q”, have to say. Finally, on a side note, I find it funny that Mr. Clark is so much more of a mom to you that you asked “her”(?) the question before “Momma Q”. I am not even going to ask what the “Q” stands for.
DeleteThe "Q" stands for her freaking name; her name is Kieu and pronounced like the letter, "Q".
DeleteI love your mom tvan. I never really thought of valuing being mad as a thing but it caught my attention. Getting mad or being wrong really does give you strength. I love how you worded everything in the end. Yes it was a little unorganized but you made your points clear. Love you tay
DeleteWow Taylor, you are getting really deep here. It's a little insane how everyone thinks so differently. I find it difficult to change my perspective on things till I take some time away from the situation. It seems like you always think from different angles. While that does help to come to a logical conclusion, sometimes you just need to throw logic out the window. Sometimes you need to just listen to your heart and go with what makes you feel the best.
DeleteOne of the many things I value is morals. Specifically the show of honesty. First off, I think honesty is a very key thing in life. Sure the truth can be harmful and hurt people, but I believe that when people are exposed to the truth they should use it as a motivation to better themselves. For example, when I first joined the tennis team I started out as Junior Varsity, but as I got better I soon became a part of the Varsity team and played second and first doubles. During the time I was in Varsity (also being young and naive), I thought of myself as one of the better players on the team and was cocky for a period of time. But then the court got faster and my feet couldn't catch up to the ball. I started to lose more matches during Varsity and that's when Coach Ponz decided to put me back on Junior Varsity. At that moment, I realized that winning doesn't come just from talent, but also hard work and dedication. So during the summer after the season, I worked and trained hard to get where I am now. The season that just ended last school year, I was starting Varsity and I won a lot more matches because of my dedication and passion for the game.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that I truly hate in society today is the categorization of people in an ethnic group based on the way they act and how they speak. It makes me furious when a person tells me that I sound and act white. What do they truly mean when they say these things? What is the definition of being white? Apparently it means from other students descriptions it is acting and talking in a proper manner. But my ethnicities are Laotian, Thai, African-American, Puerto Rican, and Irish. Another example, when I tell people my ethnicities and I say that I'm African-American, most people tell me the same thing. "You're not black, you don't look black." And it makes me ponder, does appearance also depict what your ethnicity is? Being honest I have done that before, but I think it shouldn't be done all the time because you could think that person is white, but truly he/she is actually African-American and Puerto Rican.
One thing that truly makes me happy is positivity. Sometimes people ask me why do I always seem happy all the time. And that is simply not the truth. I do have my sad moments here and there, but I always see the cup half full not empty. In my mind, I see things from both perspectives, the good and the bad. From the good being my girlfriend Alexandria, my friends, family, and other things. And the bad such as, a bad test grade, a divorce, losing a match, or even death. With all those things especially the bad I stay positive with, because I see things in life as just an obstacle. People shouldn't become depressed over getting a bad test grade or even death actually. Pertaining to death, I see it as another part of my life. Steve Jobs before passing away he spoke at Stanford University for the graduating class of 2005 and he said "Death is the destination we all share, no one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be because death is very likely the single best invention of life"
Josh I completely understand where you are coming from. Most people do not realize that their comments offend others. I hate when people try to say because I am African American i can't do certain things. In fact, the other day I was in the trainers room and some boy said "What black person wears flannels...they don't wear flannels." I didn't even know the kid, but I kindly interjected, and said, "Sure we do! The style of clothing isn't limited to one person. People can wear whatever they want." No one should be limited to do or act like anything, simply because of their skin color.
DeleteI hate people who are brainwashed. When I mean by that I'm basically talking about the world but mostly America and how the government easily controls them. Look at the media now a days what do you see? The glorification of drugs, sex, and alcohol, also partying, violence and once considered not very moral things to do, now the new normal. You may think I'm taking it to the extreme talking about it like that then that means you really are brainwashed. You are not people you are sheeple you blindly follow the next sheep in front of you with the government and your favorite celebrities at the front of the line. You worship celebrities as if they were gods and the same exact song that comes on the radio every other hour about sex and drugs you dance and sing to it likes there's no tomorrow. The seriously violent video game at the store that's gonna come out everyone's getting, so that means you have to get it right? Everyone wears weed socks to school and generally smokes so I should start smoking pot and wearing them too why not? Who doesn't go to parties and drinks to they pass out I definitely don't know, because everyone I know does, and not me I don't want to feel left out. Their main purpose is to get you all to think the same and only think about sex, drugs etc. the rich and the famous plan to keep us at the bottom and never reach are full potential In life. I was born a dreamer I was raised a honest man I made myself into a freethinker and that's what the government hates people like me, "freethinkers" people who are a lot smarter than your average people. I hate those groups and the people who blindly follow them. The thing that fills me with unabashed joy is that I am different and with my gifts and talent I know I can shape the world. I don't want to ever be anything then what I already am I get excited just writing about why I'm me, I will do great things when I am older I'm slowly bettering myself as a person. Right now my goal is to just to keep on living. But really what I value is this world and how broken it is I just want to make it a better place that's what I care about. With my dreams, gifts and knowledge I know I'll get there.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, everyone follows one another. We need more leaders in the world, all of the followers make the corrupt leader's job easier.
DeleteThe thing that really gets me is pointless restrictions. Last year during Addams family there was a scene where the dancers had to go into a line, only there wasn’t enough room with how the set was placed. Instead of moving the set, which was on wheels, the dancers had to smoosh together with some standing next to each other in the back. The whole thing drove me absolutely crazy. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and to ignore the simplest and most effective solution drove me off the wall. This also applies to rules, both unspoken and law based. I can’t stand the imposition of what some people think is “normal” onto the entire population. I have gotten flack from both of my parents because I choose not to shave my legs, and it's gotten to the point where saving them feels like I’d be giving up y values and telling them that they’re right that I’ll be a pariah for having light hairs on my legs.
ReplyDeleteI’m happiest in moment of self accomplishment, like doing well on a quiz I thought I’d fail. I put a lot of my self worth into my accomplishments and ow well I think I’m doing, so when I do well I’m on top of the world. Unfortunately that’s not a majority of the time. Honestly I could do better than anyone would expect, and still think I’m horrible. I’m like a guy who just picked up a paint set and is frustrated to not be painting like van Gogh. I had always been naturally inclined to academics, and since I was treated like a genius as a kid, I never felt the need to practice or to really struggle with something. Now everyone ran ahead while I had my eye closed, a kid left in the dust.
ReplyDeleteI value my life. My life has importance to me because I have been chosen to make decisions on this Earth. People may help me with decisions in my life but in the long-run I will have to make certain decisions on my own that will hold a huge impact on my life. All humans are gifted of being born but many waste their life away. Making the right choices in life can take you far but making the wrong ones can damage your life forever. You can tell the difference between those who actually value their life than others that don’t. No time like the present to dictate where your future will lead. There’s people on this Earth that have disabilities and they don’t have the same opportunities as those who were born normal. What makes me mad is when people take their life for granted and they don’t cherish it. Your life should be valuable to you but there’s those that make stupid decisions and waste their lives in jail. I’m not saying to value your life you have to be perfect, you just have to be able to make smarter decisions for yourself. You have to ask yourself will this decision benefit me down the road or will it put me in a hole I won’t be able to get out of. What fills me with joy is that I was blessed with a normal life that I value. Many people aren’t as fortunate as me to be in the position that I am in. Therefore I must value it and make the right decisions in my life. My life can be taken from me as of right now if so, many people don’t get to live to see 16 years in their life. Something you value should be precious to you which is my life.
Yo Larry I agree with valuing your life because you are you and nobody else can be you. And decisions in life is your most important thing to do because they determine your future. I couldn't agree more with you in this response.
DeleteLarry i think a lot of people value there lives but they don't value it enough to stop making bad decisions. Their blinded by the material things and whats popular now. They can't stop for a second and think "How will this effect my future?". I agree with you, i think people should think before making a big decision that may cost them their life.
DeleteLab Partner Larry, I could not agree more with this post because it makes me sad that a lot of kids our age are making decisions that will really affect them in long run. Some people don't understand that they will regret it in the future. And I'm glad you cherish your life and know what's good for you. I'm very thankful for my life and I'm thankful for the fact I was born normal too.
DeleteLar I love this post. I value my life so much and I wouldn't want I any other way. There are some people who take their life for granted and make horrible decisions and don't know what their life would be like if they actually valued it. They don't realize that the decisions being made affect your life in the future until its that time. Some people aren't born with normal lives and they appreciate life more than some people that have normal ones. I'm happy you feel the way you do because I can relate so much!
DeleteYoooo, preach it Larry! People who take their lives for granted and don't cherish it doesn't realize that so many people out there love them. It hurts to watch those people throw their life down the drain. It's unfortunate that even some of them take their own lives away. Thank goodness that there are people in this world, like yourself and many others, who still value their life and try to make smart decisions.
DeleteFriendships. Now wait, let me explain and put the pitchforks down. Friendships is something I value. It may sound like a cheesy answer ,but it is true. Without friends, no one can exceed in the life. Everyone has friends. I don't look like it ,but I do care about my friends. Friends help me get through the day less bored. If I am in a sad or depress mood, I can talk with my friends and boom. I will be less sad and more happy. It could in reverse, I can cheer my friends. As long as they are somewhat happy and less sad, then my job is done. Recently, one of my friends was thinking about dropping out of high school. I was able to convince him that we are juniors and that we are almost out of here. I told him that we passed 9th and 10th grade so we already used to high school. If we can pass two more years, then we beat the system. I felt happy because I was able to convince my friend to keep moving and not drop out.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I really hate is people who gives up way to quickly for stupid reasons. Ever since birth and up to high school, I been a hardworking and motivated student. My family is working in order to get me and my brother to have education. So I can't let them down. I seen people who read the directions and give up. They end up talking for the whole period and they got a blank paper. Their reason was “it is too hard” or “I don’t get it”. If you don’t get it or thinks too hard, ask the teacher or friends. Try at least and show your teacher if you are doing it right. When I was playing a game called “League of Legends” with my friends, one of them started to give up and gives negative thoughts with us the whole time. The reason was because of how the enemy team looks more better and organizes than our team. Note we see the other team when we are loading into our match. Like we didn’t get in the match yet and already he is giving up. Like play the match then comment if we gonna lose or win this one. Don't comment when we didn’t even try yet. It was like he judged our team and blindly thinks the other team is better than us.
Justin i know i don't know you but i agree with you. The kids in this school who are unappreciative of their education and decided that learning something isn't time worthy, upset me. Some people in third world countries don't have the privilege of getting an education so the least we can do in school is listen and actually learn a thing or two.
DeleteI apologize because I totally give up way too quickly on certain things especially on tests. I suck at math so I would study really hard for every test. But every time I would get to the first question, I would mentally give up. lol @half of my math tests last year.
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DeleteHey Justin! I don't think that it is cheesy at all that you value friendship! Honesty I wish more people did, I know a lot of people who think sometimes friendships are just distractions, whereas I think they are so much more. As you said "without friendships no one can exceed in life". I think friends are what get people through life because no matter how strong a person is everyone needs someone by their side. Also I think it's really cool that you helped one of your friends not to drop out of high school. That's a perfect example of how everyone needs someone by their side and that friend needed you in that scenario.
I've asked this question myself before quite a few times after certain, let's say, complications. What I value? Well, I value friendship and unity. I value love and care. I value kindness, but most of all I value happiness. I just love when I see complete strangers helping each other out. I just adore that. Couple of months back I saw a small video in which many regular people stopped in the middle of the highway to work together and save the people who were stuck in a burning car after an accident that had occurred. I'm not going to lie, that brought tears to my eyes. Why? Well, you don't usually see bunch of strangers just cooperate like that everyday. Instead what I usually see or hear about is violence and negativity. I adore and value friendships because without it a person would be almost nothing. And this brings me over to love. Love is just something that makes humans humans, so why shouldn't I value something like that that only WE have? We love for a reason. We love because we feel. So I will accept it. Love is like a small spark in a dark room. It can illuminate someone's heart and personality in positive ways and bring him out of the darkness and negativity that he went through before. Love is very powerful, in my opinion, and it should be distributed among everyone. You can look at people and see that some of them didn't have love in their life or maybe not enough, thus they act irresponsibly and act as if nothing bothers them when in reality they are soft as a marshmallow. So for this reason people need to share love, in a sense, but sometimes you can't reach some people with love. That doesn't mean to stop. Just radiate that love everywhere and do it with being kind. I like to be kind to people. I like when people are kind to others. I like to see that. That just gives me a sense of unity within the society. Again, I adore that. I'm not going to lie, I like when few people do something kind for me too. In person I'd say thanks, but later that day I'd cry for such a thing. I'm a guy, but I'm a softy. What can I say? I am pretty emotional, but when it's necessary I'm tough, and actually it always seems like that it is necessary to just be "tough." My way of being kind is acting stupid and dumb. For one, it's kind of fun. Secondly, I make people laugh or at least make them smile. Me being stupid=Making someone else feel better about themselves. At least that's the mentality I want to keep. The thing I hate though is when people don't understand what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. There are a few people, even within my group of friends and/or acquaintances, that just call me stupid and make fun of me. I'm cool with being made fun of, but if someone is making fun of me without knowing the true purpose of why I act silly and dumb then I'm pissed. Then I turn off and become a mean-ass and I also get the urge to punch so good sense into them, but I don't just to not get in trouble. People like that I have no respect for, but the people who make fun of me and actually laugh WITH me and really know me and really know where I'm coming from are the ones that I'll treasure.
ReplyDeleteAll this may sound stupid and dumb and maybe it even sounds like a big lie, but it's not. I do really feel this way. I do really value these things. I may act in certain ways, but really I just want to be kind, have good connections with people close to me and with bunch of strangers, and I just want to live a simple, happy, life. It'll be hard to live happily, but I'll try. (I'm being really cheesy. I'm sorry to everyone who read this. Sorry for putting y'all through bunch of cheesiness).