Communication is Key!

1.          Look the person in the eye! When you are talking to someone it is so important to look the person in the eye because it makes the connection stronger. Also, it shows sincerity that you are directly listening to the person.

2.        Listen! I know that this seems obvious, but so often when someone is talking people tend to space out or be thinking about something else. I know I have definitely done this before, and whenn this happens to me I feel as though the person doesn't care about what I am saying.

3.         Think Clearly! When talking to someone, examine your thoughts and think clearly so that way others can understand what you are saying. People can easily communicate with each other when each other's thoughts are clear and evident.

4.        Be honest! Honesty when talking to someone is so important and say what you want to say because people cannot read your mind so do not assume that they know what you are talking about.

5.        Follow up! It is signifcant to follow up  in order to ensure that the thing you want to happen, actually happens. So often people forget and misplace these thoughts in their minds. We all live busy lives so it wouldn't hurt to remind someone of something that happened in a conversation earlier. I know I need to be reminded when to do something. Make sure that you are not bugging the person, but are merely helping them remember.

All of these methods can work for everyone! I would say that these techniques can easily be adapted into your everyday life. 

Keep Calm and Smile On!

As I was searching on the This I Believe website, I found a certain connection with the story called The Happiness of Memories. This describes how important it is to hold on to memories that make. In the dialogue, it discusses how "memory is the core of the soul–like the bulb in the light, without it the light cannot shine." An act of kindness can brighten a person's day and by remembering this kind act can continue to bring someone happiness. 

http://thisibelieve.org/essay/22781/

I was born without one permanent tooth, I guess it's a hereditary thing because my mom has it and so does my grandpa. Because of this missing tooth, I had braces for 5 years, and let me tell you that is a very long time: 6th grade to summer going into my junior year of high school. I was a "brace face" for a very long time, which was annoying because while everyone was getting their braces off, mine were staying on. I cannot bite into an apple and I mostly chew on the opposite side to avoid it coming out or cracking. Oh and you know how most people have nightmare's about scary monsters, I have experienced numerous one's about my tooth falling out. I went through three surgeries in order to put a fake tooth in the empty space and finally they came off and I was so excited! During the same summer I got them off, I went on an immersion trip to the St. Anthony's Foundation in San Francisco, which is a poor and rough neighborhood. I served as a bus-girl and it was surprisingly fun; I enjoyed taking people's plates and making conversation. After my shift, I ate lunch at a table with a man named Anthony. Evidently, he had been through some struggles throughout his life, but he was still so cheerful and had an overall positive outlook on life. He shared a few wise lessons with me and one of them was "Never stop smiling because once you have lost that you have lost everything." He commented on how I have such a great smile and how I should not waste it. Supposedly, I brightened his day with my smile. I have always been somewhat self-conscious about my smile because of my missing tooth. 

From Anthony's advice I realize that I have a great smile and I should not be embarrassed about it. I should live everyday smiling because that is how I can live my life to the fullest. Smiling takes away the pressures of life, by grinning from ear to ear. I see the positive in life; why go through life without smiling? I am insecure about my smile because of my missing tooth, but I recognize that everyone has things they are insecure about. Not only that, but also this "flaw" of mine is what makes me unique. I have a special story that sets me apart from other people.

I believe in smiling everyday and making others smile too. I enjoy smiling at people as I pass them in the hallway. Now that might sound strange, but maybe that smile could make someone's day, who knows?  Oh, and always taking pictures because I want to remember those great memories when I can smile about them again. I believe in telling my story about my missing tooth and letting people see the true me. Yes, I have a fake tooth, but it looks awesome, right? You probably have never noticed that it is fake, or at least I hope so. I believe smiling can make someone's day and in return can bring you happiness and joy! I could be that light for someone. 

Some individuals do not like showing their teeth in pictures for whatever reason; I really do not understand it. I believe in smiling from ear to ear and showing off those pretty white teeth!

Partners on the Journey

The Setup:

In high school, freshmen year was a complete new start for me. My first friend in high school is named Marguerite and I met her by playing on the freshmen soccer team. We were inseparable: we bonded over shopping and soccer. We were both on the freshmen soccer team and I remembered I offered her some of my wheat thins while we were on the bus on our way to a game—after that we were best friends. It seemed like we got along so great because every time we would hang out we agreed on everything and could not stop laughing. Sophomore year went great, as I made the soccer team again with Marguerite and even made a couple more friends, Karina and Maddie. It seemed like I had finally found my group of friends, people I knew would have my back no matter what. Then came junior year and it was definitely much more difficult: there was the SATs, concentrating about colleges, and my overall school workload. Not only did have more pressure from school, but also my friends. During my senior year, I decided to distance myself from Marguerite and Maddie and by doing that I had so much more fun! I made new friends, Katherine and Sarah, who are still my best friends. My current friends, Katherine and Sarah are the most dependable friends I have ever had. 

The What:

My friend Marguerite and Maddie became much closer because they lived right down the street from each other. I didn’t mind until they started making plans without me. They would make fake excuses about family dinners, when in reality they were actually hanging out with each other. I quickly caught on and I confronted them. I told them that I didn’t mind driving and that I just wanted to hang out with them. However, they still ignored my suggestion, which was when I should’ve gotten the clue that something was not right. During my physics class, Marguerite outright told me I was stupid in front of my peers. She was always trying to build herself up while pushing me down. 

The So What:

So what? What does this story matter? It matters because I found out that just because you like hanging out with someone does not mean that you should trust that person as your friend. Also, even if you invested so much time into a person and a friendship, do not be afraid to start over with a new set of friends. During my junior year, I kept telling myself to keep being friends with them because high school was almost over and it would be too hard to find a new group of friends. This experience mattered to me because high school was all about having your set group of friends and I liked the feeling of belonging in a certain group. It was my safe spot and I did not want to feel vulnerable by joining a new group.

The Now What:

Looking back on this experience, everything happens for a reason. I learned that if you are not happy in a relationship, then what is the point of being in it? If I did not stop being friends with Marguerite and Maddie I would have never met Katherine and Sarah. Also, I am not saying that Marguerite and Maddie are the worst friends on the entire planet,  but we did not fit as being friends. I could not trust them and that was a major problem of mine. Also, Marguerite did not respect me as a person. I believe that every person in your life teaches you something and Marguerite especially made me realize that if someone is not treating me right, then it is better to find people who do treat you right. Sarah and Katherine look out for me and see the best in me that sometimes I don’t see and have told me that they admire my confidence. They inspire me too with their determination and strength of character. This experience impacted my life in such a way to go through life smiling. Why go throughout life not smiling? I realize now that my junior year I really did not smile that often. I was always worried about my friends or other people in general judging me. Let’s face it, people will always judge you, but it is how you handle their judgments. I let Marguerite’s judgments affect me in a negative way. I let her get to me as she made me feel insecure. Now, my new friends and I share a trustworthy and respectful relationship—I am honestly so thankful to have them in my life. Without all of them, I would not be the person I am today! In life there will be numerous people that will treat you wrong and disrespect you, but do not let them make you feel inferior, instead find friends who do make feel happy and confident. Find people who you can be yourself with because we all are unique who deserve friends who will love us for who we truly are.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Judging by the 15 million views on this video I am assuming you have seen this clip before, but if you have not it demonstrates the importance of honesty, self-respect, and natural beauty. This video is not your average inspirational video that tells you how awesome you are, although it is an important video that shows how we are perfectly imperfect human beings. It proves how an average woman can be transformed with the use of makeup and Photoshop. Models are normal people that almost every young girl strives to look like, but this is impossible because they do not look like the photo they are displayed in. 

Young girls should realize that they do not need to strive to be someone else and recognize that we were all created out of God's love. I know it sounds cheesy, but it really is true! What is the point of putting on a completely different mask if that is not who you really are? I barely wear any makeup because I am not trying to be someone else. This video rings true to me because no matter how many times someone says you look beautiful or handsome, you have to believe it! You need to look in the mirror and say "I am a 10!" It also demonstrates your honesty with your friends and family. Putting on a mask displays how you are not comfortable with your image. You need to have pride, confidence, and respect for yourself. Be genuine with people because showing who you truly are allows them to see the real you. Additionally, this means that you will feel more comfortable about your image and shows that you trust the people around you. I feel connected to this clip because I used to look at models in magazines and think I would love to be like them; now, I see an average woman who is wearing pounds of makeup and has been retouched on a computer. 

In my senior year of high school, I took a photography class when I learned that my teacher had been a graphic designer for a major magazine. She told me that she would work for endless hours on one photo of a model. I have realized that my flaws in my face and body make me unique as an individual. From this video, I have learned to embrace my quirks. Also, I do not try to put on this facade of being perfect, but have others like me for my personality. We should learn to accept our image and be accepting of others images too. Appreciation and acceptance for yourself and others are incredible values to possess. In my life, this clip has helped me realize that we all have flaws; however as individuals we are all unique and we do not need to put on this mask. Most importantly have fun and be who you want to be!