Good friends, great life!

While I was in high school, I developed the habit of always watching people and how they responded to things. When I walk, when I talk, and when I eat, I love to people watch. I don’t know why I do it, but I think it’s just my curiosity of wanting to understand all the various human characteristics.

About two years ago, in one of my high school math classes, I met this incredibly down-to-earth girl (let’s call her Sarah), but she always seemed to be sad. Every day when I had class with her, I would try to peek at her when I could to observe and perhaps better understand why she seemed so sad. Later, when I started talking to her, I soon found out why and was shocked: she always dated the wrong guys of hers and some of them raped her.

I was incredulous. I have a lot of respect for girls and when I find out that other guys mistreat girls, I often get really upset about it. However, in this case, as he continued to talk to her, she couldn’t believe why he was letting things like this happen. She seemed so strong, so focused, so grateful for life, but she allowed herself to hang out with the wrong people.

Life is a series of lights and darkness. We all want to be in the sun, feel the warmth, that great feeling when you are in the sun. Sometimes cloudy storms tend to disturb that light, making us feel uncomfortable and restless. However, we can always return to the light; we can always push the darkness away: light and darkness cannot be in the same room.

I have this quote hanging in my bedroom and I live it every day: “you are who your friends are.” In my life I try to be around positive and successful people because that’s who I am. I know it may sound selfish and egotistical, but you have to set high standards for yourself. If you want to lead and achieve, you must welcome friends who meet your standards. Your standards are there to protect you and guide you to success, don’t lower it for anyone or anything or you will regret it for the rest of your life.

As for Sarah, I’m so sorry for her and the things the boys have done to her, but she shouldn’t have been there in the first place. She shouldn’t be continually surrounded by the same negative people who can do that kind of thing. She needs to understand the power of saying “no.” It’s not rude in life to say no to the wrong people at some point, it’s not rude at all. If she was driving down the road and noticed a roadblock, she wouldn’t try to bump into it. Would you surround it or push it aside. This is how you should be with your friends: life is short, you don’t have time for people who will tear you down or hinder your success.

As Eminem said in his rap song “lose yourself”, you have one chance, one chance, don’t waste it!