After I finished my freshman year of high school, I was excited. I mean, I had survived freshman year. That in itself is something to be proud of. Shortly after that I was, like every other summer, going to summer camp. I thought that this year was going to be the best one yet, and I was right.
That session started off like any other. The ice-breaker games, and awkward run-ins with people you have never met in your life but will be living with for the next two weeks. It wasn't until the second night when two counselors that my friends and I had become fairly close with over the years came in to talk with us. We started talking about Jesus and His love for all of us. That night i decided I wanted to find out more about Him and what He can do for me. Throughout the session I tried to figure out as much as I could and be just a little more positive.
When I got home I had three days until I was forced back into the real world of high school. Well, summer school. Some of the kids in my class were pretty cool. Others were the kind of people that I did not want to be around. They were judging, clique-y, and down right negative. I decided that something needed to be changed, and I was going to take it upon myself to do it.
I had gotten involved in a youth group that I really liked. One night we had guest speakers from the Night Ministry. The Night Ministry is an organization that help homeless teens in Chicago find places to sleep, eat, and get health care. I walked out of that presentation more motivated than ever before.
In November I attended the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) with my youth group. Let me tell you, sharing a weekend with 23,000 catholic teenagers from around the country is pretty powerful. Some of the speakers really got to me. They said that if you don't make a change in yourself, you can't make a change in the world. So, I decided to change myself.
My New Year's resolution was to be a more positive, happy person. I think I have changed, and am continuing to try to be positive no matter what, and just promote a positive attitude.
Mee-Shell - you inspire me! Your amazing talent for writing is a powerful tool for change and a beautiful way to begin your journey. What if you added a little action? Your post reminded me of this YouTube video I saw recently -- it was posted by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the creator of the Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life concept. Check it out - what could we do around our little school to spread a little positivity anonymously????
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8CxRsrp7N4