You're Not a Failure

Successful. What does it mean? Many define it as being amazing at everything you do. Whether it be extreme talent or extreme dedication, these people know what it's like to be the best. Yes, there are going to be people who have probably never tasted failure, and they might not even know what it feels like to be in a slump. Good for them! I think that's really awesome! To me, success means getting back up after a fall. Now those people are my role models.

I face failures every single day. Sometimes I feel like the reason that other people don't screw up is because there are people like me who fail enough times for the both of us. As if it is some sort of action-reaction theorem. To be honest, I am really struggling to change that mindset. I feel like on a daily basis, I make myself out to be a disgrace, that people are disappointed in me, that I am not who I used to be. As for me, I didn't realize any of that. I thought I was the same old me, it's me in the flesh. Apparently, the world around me didn't think so.

I think it's true, that some people do undergo more suffering and disappointment than others. I know, it does get frustrating that no matter how hard you work you can't seem to get your goal in whatever activity or academic related courses. Those people who never seem to fail simply have extremely high expectations for themselves. They probably have held these high standards for their whole lives. To them, a "failure" could be equivalent to "average" to us. So in a strange way, they do feel like they fail too.

What I'm trying to say is, everybody has their moments. Take it from me, someone who probably fails on a daily basis. I still have a sliver of hope for myself that I will come up someday. And you will too, you're no exception! You guys have so much life ahead of you. Don't count your failures, regret, and shame. One of the best things to learn from is our failures. Let the mistakes teach us new lessons. 

Think about it this way-- with each slip up, you are one step closer to reaching your goal! Please don't think of yourself differently when you mess up. Your mistakes do not define you, the way you react from them is what is important. Take your failures in your stride! As long as you are genuinely doing your best, that's all you can really ask for. Your time will come, that is something I will bet on. I am 100% confident in you guys succeeding. Now it's your turn, put a smile on that face and brush it off. You will prevail!

-N

It Does Matter

Future. Mine and yours. I feel like some people forget the scary truth about our future. I feel like some of us are not told the scary truth about the impact and consequences of our daily lives. And the scary truth is that, everything matters- well, if you are normal like me. I look around at my friends and each one of them has a talent that they are extremely good at, whether it be an academic subject or an extracurricular. The time that they spend pursing their talent and ultimately winning in that field, is what will get them a bright future. Good for them! Honestly! I am proud of all you prodigious teenagers!

But how is life going to play out when we are just average? When you just blend in among the crowd, every little thing starts to matter. Any chance we ordinary kids get to stand out, we will take it! And yes, that means that means performing well in school and outside of school activities. Because we do not have that one thing that we excel at, any moment of failure or success in our lives is important. We are constantly trying to prove ourselves to the world, that we are good enough-- for jobs, internships, colleges, and for advertising ourselves for the future. 

People say we worry too much. People say that grades don't define you. People say that it will all work out in the end as if our life fits together like they are some perfect puzzle pieces. Making mistakes is inevitable, I get that. But with every additional failure in our path, the more our stress and anxiety increases. The only things that seem to matter are our rankings- school-wide, statewide, nationwide, and ultimately, worldwide. If we have no extracurricular or talent to fall back on, we are constantly stressing about getting good grades and scores on exams. 

Being normal is not easy, it's quite the contrary. Find ways that make you unique because standing out has never been more attractive! Some people don't see your capabilities and hard work, it's the ugly truth that the results only seem to matter. I'm sure you work so hard to get where you are, but you don't have to prove it to the world. You have to prove it to yourself! You have to be honest with yourself when you say you put in 100% effort into everything you do. You have to prove it to yourself that you can work hard and get your desired aspirations.

My only advice: start now! You have no time to waste! Every time you put off your hard work and diligence, think about your competition. Are they putting in the grueling hours to get into their dream school? Here I am in bed, when my peers from across the world are studying to prove it to themselves that they can be top notch quality. You are all so capable and I wish every single school and workplace could see all of your unique personalities. You don't always need trophies or medals to be talented. Your mind and attitude, if in the right mentality, are your treasures as well. Work hard, play hard, and show the world how it's done. After all, you'll get to be the one saying I told you so to everyone who doubted you!

-N

Life's What You Make of It

Control. You have complete and utter control of your life, I have complete and utter control of my life, and well, you get the pattern. I know that for some of you the past week has been a little tenuous, confusing, and maybe even horrifying. I get that. And for others, it might have been mediocre, jovial, or even exhilarating. I can understand that too. I have seen so many people react to it in a variety of different coping mechanisms. The outcome of it all might have not been what you expected, in both good and bad ways.

And what am I here to tell you? Don't let that stop you from doing what you want! I'll admit that it does make me sad to realize how quickly our nation can segregate and forget to accept each other as we are. I know that there are many who are genuinely scared of our future and want any sort of reassurance that we can grasp. But don't you agree that at some point, past the denial, depression, and confusion, we must accept the aftermath of such a grueling occasion? I'm sorry if it seems that I am not addressing the meaning of our country's choice, but it brings tears to my eyes when I see friends and family so traumatized to a point where it affects their judgement and outlook on these few years ahead.

I understand, there is much needed time for grief. But as these days, or even weeks, pass us by, can we make a communal promise to continue preparing for that same end goal that we have been striving for? At this point, all we can do is practice positivity and realize the potential that our nation is built upon. We can learn the lesson of never giving up until you get what you want. We can learn the lesson about the importance of support and love for each other. We can learn from the inspiration and dedication when life gets you down. We can learn from the portrayals and assumptions that are casted in the spotlight. We can learn from the personal responsibilities and the confidence that help to rise to any occasion. 

All in all, it did catch many by surprise. With every unexpected moment comes an abundance of lessons and advice to keep us on the right track. I think that this is one of those moments where yes, maybe it didn't turn out the way we wanted it to. But how are we going to take one of life's curveballs and transform it for the growth and productivity of the country that is our home? These are all valuable things to have in mind, as a country, nation, friends, and family. Keep doing what you are doing, and please don't let anyone take your individuality and voice away from you. That's yours to keep!

-N

What Do You Have to Lose?

Chances. What are we going to do if we never decide to take them? Constantly hidden behind our potential, constantly held down by fear, and constantly reminded of what could have been. I know it's scary, I totally agree with you. It feels so much safer to just keep doing what you're doing, without even dealing with the unknown. It's simple, just follow the same path that you seem to be comfortable with. There's nothing wrong with that. But, don't you want to see whats out there? What if it's worth it?  I realize that I am always fighting myself for not wanting to get out of my comfort zone. All of the opportunities that have passed me by have revolved around one cumulative fear- the fear of failure.

Everyone has their thing, whether it be subjects in school or hobbies or sports. It's what makes us unique. It's something that you enjoy doing, something that makes you feel at home. Do you ever wonder if other kids strive to participate in activities simply for the purpose of gaining knowledge? How many of them actually follow these added desires? Personally, I would hope that it's not an incredibly low number. 

I'm here to encourage you to go after everything you want to, even if you fear you won't be good enough. After all, how do you know if you don't try? Just do it, don't even think about it. Your mind is a powerful tool and it can convince you to do anything you want. If you're curious about something, go out and learn more! If you feel that you will be judged, don't let someone other than yourself take control of your actions. I've learned (and I'm still learning) from past experiences that they don't get to be the ones who influence your life. We shouldn't let those people have that kind of power. You'll never know what life has in store for you unless you set out and discover for yourself. Stretch beyond your limits and it's okay if it doesn't work out the way you wanted to. You'll be left with the satisfaction that you went out and did it, for the first time ever! To say the least, go for it!

-N

Finding Our Meaning of Life

Do we ever think about what our purpose is when it comes to academics and extracurriculars? Are we doing it because we are passionate to succeed, or maybe our parents told us it would be a good idea? Yes, they always have good intentions but they tend to go a little heavy with managing their kids’ lives to set them up for success. Parents at Menlo, especially those who didn’t experience the same opportunities as us, put too much pressure on their kids about grades and participation in activities. With their parents always behind the scenes, it causes children to never find their own interests and ultimately, live a future with no purpose.

When going to such schools that are considered more advanced than their day, it’s not that hard for parents to control their kids’ lives. It’s in their nature for parents to want the best for their children, but do they realize that sometimes they are crossing a line? By sophomore year, parents start to get more involved in their kids' lives and believe that the key to success is in all the grueling, honors classes. As teenagers, we try to listen to what they're saying and we begin to realize that such popular colleges will be looking at all of our honors credits, meaning good grades in tough classes. We can't help but feel pressurized to succeed in such challenging classes for the sake of getting into a well-known college. Our biggest fear becomes failing to meet their expectations and becoming a disgrace to our family.

Parents need to realize that their children will grow to hold a grudge if they continue to live in their parents’ shadows. My parents have enrolled me in swimming, soccer, dance, and piano mostly because they never got such opportunities. I have always been a busy kid, but without their experimentation I would have never realized my hobbies, especially my passion for swimming. My point being, parents should never force their children to do activities that they don’t want to, unless they truly know their desires and capabilities. 

Although pressure to succeed could turn into a life well prepared to be extraordinary, are parents doing this at the risk of being resented in the future?Parenting is one of the hardest jobs an adult can manage, and everyone wants their children to be unique and the best that they can be. As children, we hold our parents in the highest honor and we never want to let them down. But, are we always going to walk along the path that was set in stone by our parents, unable to discover our own interests and purposes as we grow up? In the next chapter of our lives, who will we be living to impress?

-N  

It's Celebration Time!

Accomplishments. You have had so many of them. Getting A's in school, making friends, achieving your sports goals. These are all reasons to celebrate. You have put in all the time and effort, even on days where you didn't even feel like getting out of bed, and it definitely paid off. You have worked so hard to achieve all these amazing things, and I want to congratulate you in everything you have accomplished so far. 

I'm your cheerleader! In case you haven't heard it enough, I'm so proud of you for doing your best and completely dominating out there! Appreciation these days is very hidden behind the scenes, but you never know when that tiny bit of support can do wonders for a person. I've heard that support and praise can act as a jinx, and I totally see where people can get that idea. To be honest, I do believe in people stating the truth and not sugar coating. But every once a while, especially when we are in our darkest hour, a little kudos can go a long way. I've experienced failure countless times, and it's no doubt that I will fail more in the future. After so many falls, it surprises me how I still have hope when people have told me to completely give up on my goals. It's at times like these where I turn to those who will spark my energy to make a difference in my habits. 

Always have trust in who you are. Never forget that. Believe in yourself even if no one is there to support you. You are your biggest fan, share the success and learn from the tough times. Remember to not lose focus and stay humble, because things could possible take a turn for the worse at any moment. After you think about all that, take a deep breath and just go for it 100%! I know your capabilities and you can achieve them all. You have come so far and I want you to just keep going. Each day take steps to improve yourself as a person. It will get tough, but with the right attitude, you'll get through it so much easier. Finally, don't let anyone stop you from accomplishing what you genuinely want to. They don't understand how powerful your mind is compared to their words.  

You go guys! Keep up the good work! I can't see what amazing rewards are in store for your perseverance and determination! Chase your dreams!

-N

You're Never Alone

Friendship. An eternal bond that unites groups of people and makes them feel as if they are the only people on the planet. Sincere invincibility and superiority! It's not something to be messed with, trust me you will seriously regret it. Such relationships take what feels like lifetimes to build and stabilize. However, they can be destroyed in a split second. These are people who are always here for you, even when you feel under the weather. Nothing is stronger than this connection, especially when you know that you can always count on them. They are your true friends, what more do you need in life!

Now here comes a day when you are at your absolute worst. All your walls just came crashing down. You've just been left in the darkness and you are tugging on the strings that make up who you are, questioning the activities and purposes that used to motivate you every day. People have just stripped a significant part of your identity, the only reason you smile. Those people have completely shut you out, screamed until their throats were dry, and left you on the floor, curled up, and praying, "Please don't hurt me any more", as tears stream down your face. 

No matter what you have been put through, the real friends will come rushing back to you. Your best friends, who are the closest thing you have to another family, understand that you think you have hit rock bottom. They remind you that the only direction from there, is up! They love you, they comfort you, whenever you need it the most. They are willing to go out of their way to appreciate you and cherish this beautiful bond that is such a privilege to all of you. Once you find these people, you have been blessed-- it really is a give from the Gods.

Before this moment you thought that no one else loved you, that no one else felt your pain. As hard as it is to believe back then, your friends are the ones who will help you get through it together. They assure you that you don't have to go through what you're going through alone. Sure, you might not even want to tell them what happened, it might be too personal and maybe even put the ones you love in an awkward position if someone else found out. But, that's the wonderful thing about friends. They know you so well! They won't poke their noses into your life when you tell them not to, because they respect your privacy. They are not going to stab you in the back and take advantage of your trust. All that matters is that you have someone to talk to, someone to rant to, and someone who will genuinely listen. 

So, heres to the fabulous friends in our lives! Thank you for always cheering us up and keeping us laughing every day :) You know who you are! We love you!

-N

Livin' on the Edge!

Fears. I have them, and I'm sure you have them too. You know the feeling; your heart races, you breath shortens, your fists clench, your eyes shut tight, and you try to block out the world. You know that this therapy works as well as you want it to, so you add noise canceling headphones, just to be safe, and blast the music of your favorite artists. You use your imagination and do your best to pretend that you are in your happy place, filled with every memory that has ever made you smile. But, don't open your eyes, you say. Or you are going to have to start over and attempt to "re-zen" yourself. There's nothing wrong with that. Fears don't make you any less manly. It just makes you more human. 

The only thing I ask of you is, don't let your fears control you. Don't let them bully you. Don't let them hold you back. So what? You experienced something that was a little out of your comfort zone and it caught you off guard. Big deal. But, are you really going to live with that for the rest of your life? Are you going to surrender and let that shadow trail behind you wherever you go? I hope we are thinking the same thing...No! Having fears is great! It means you have witnessed or even tried new things! Why stop now? Life is just getting to the good part!

What's really manly is overcoming your fears, pushing it to the limit, and spreading your wings no matter what possible scenario could happen! Be totally optimistic with it, go in with a great attitude and a smile on your face. You're only limited by your thoughts so carry on with that positivity and motivation to be completely fearless! Take risks, go outside of your comfort zone, and let loose. Once you do, this giant weight will be lifted and you'll be on track for bigger and better things. You can't back down now, show the world what you're made off! There's nothing in your way anymore so don't be haunted by your fears! After all, Franklin D. Roosevelt wasn't kidding when he said "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself!" 

-N

Swearing, Just Words?

Anger. If you have ever played a competitive sport, or lived a healthy social life, you know that anger is a driving emotion. In my opinion, it is among the most powerful feelings. Whether we admit it or not, there is something satisfying about letting all your anger out. You all know it. That let it all out feeling, just go go go. That powerful feeling of adrenaline surging through your body can make you feel unstoppable. Basically, some way or another, anger has to be released. There are countless ways of blowing off steam. Taking deep breaths, clenching your fists, screaming into a pillow, you name them! As unique as everyone is, there are certain trends in the ways that people deal with anger and the most obvious is swearing.

There are countless “swear words” to choose from. When chosen wisely, they can liven up a conversation, convey strong emotions, and even give the user a sense of power. Honestly, where would Eminem be if all of his songs were rated PG? However, they can also be weapons that you did not ever intend to use. Dealing with irascible people can result in confusing responses that leave people wondering, “WTF just happened?”

You might be in a bad mood for whatever reason and before you know it, words just slip out. When you have a lot of work to do and a friend hits you up, you might say, S**t, can I be alone for one minute? or I’m trying to f**king work. What do you want from me? In the moment, you feel strong, but a minute passes… and another minute. As your response is left on read, you start to feel uneasy. That feeling progresses to a deeper sense of regret and sometimes denial. You start to think, Was that really necessary? It wasn’t completely uncalled for. 

My choice of lifestyle, the non swearing kind, is my choice. Believe me when I say that I am not here to turn you into me. I am not trying to make you speak differently or even “do” anything. I just want you to think. Sometimes, all it takes is to recite one sentence: How would I feel if I were them? That's it. Empathy is what makes an advanced civilization possible. Without empathy, people would only care about themselves and it's pretty obvious that selfish people do not work together very well. Call me cliché, but the only trait that separates us from animals is the ability to work together.


As long as you mentally recite those vital eight words, I don’t care what you say or how you say it. Just say it knowing the full consequences of your words. Long story short, don’t be an animal; have some empathy. I know we can all do it! Give it a shot!

It was really fun writing this piece with my friend, and phenomenal writer, Aidan Truel, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed preparing it (:

You're Either With Me or You're Not

Spotlight. Something that everyone wants so badly that they are willing to steal it from any person in order to gain attention. Any ounce of success has to be shared with someone else, or it's considered selfish. It's now selfish to take the credit for something that you did, when everyone else didn't believe that you could....sounds weird, right? To top it off, with every ounce of failure, you are left in an abyss of loneliness and despair. No one wants to share the bumps in the road. Everyone just leaves you in the dust. They say, I told you so. And, you are just a loser-- so much potential gone to waste. 

People will expect to be thanked. People will say that because of them you succeeded. Why is that? It's as if they don't want to be embarrassed by you, like a competition of who can be the best in life. Or like a pageant, some might say, where everyone is trying to promote themselves as the best friends, or even parents. Everyone else sees other people achieving amazing things without you, and suddenly everyone is telling you to give up on your dreams. When you are struggling, all the praise is silenced. When everyone else leaves, the confidence can only come from you. Various tapes of insults play on repeat, and it starts to become your motivation. You realize that you are putting in all your hard work, for someone else. You are doing all of this just to get recognition and appreciation from that one person. Meanwhile, that one person only sees you when you win. Otherwise, they don't really understand how hard you work or how long it takes to finally stand out. They think winning is easy for you and it can be done in every single attempt.  

Sure, you are going to get guidance and help along the way but in the end it is up to you. Your actions speak louder than your words and you must be careful to remain honest to yourself. You don't have to continuously prove to the world that you are getting your work done, as long as you are proving it to yourself. I encourage you to ignore all of the negative comments, as hard as it might be. You don't have to take it from them, and don't let it get in your way. You don't have to surrender. You are your own incredible individual, and you are on track for a beautiful future. 

And don't worry, you are not selfish. You will know when people were genuinely helping you succeed, and when people were only motivated to help you for recognition in the future. When I win, it will be for me, and absolutely no one else. 

-N

Who Cares?

Quit. You tell me. You are wasting your time. You threaten me. You make me feel like I am abandoned, so why are you doing this to me? The words coming out of your mouth are continuous, without hesitation, and even silence fears your presence... and you keep shouting. You won't shut up. And me, I still don't know what I did that made you suddenly snap at me. What's wrong with doing what you love with the people who you enjoy spending your time with? Is that such a crime? The ugly truth is that there will always be party poopers. Just when you think that you are having a good time, they will rush to drag you down and ruin your moment. All that happiness has just been ruined by a single person in a flash. The worst part is, they think they know you well enough to put a label on who you are. 

Why does their opinion even matter? Keep on doing what you love! Do whatever makes you smile and laugh! Of course, there are self-explanatory things that you kind of have to do in order to get to your dream future, but that doesn't mean that you have to completely disregard your happiness right now. Try new things, make new friends, share more memories so you have something to smile about later, like when you are working hard to get to where you want to be. It is true- you can have both success and happiness. Working hard is a given but please, don't give up on the activities that you truly enjoyed just because you thought it would serve as a distraction. Also, don't just do things because it is supposed to guarantee a specific career. Pursue the actives that are unique to you, and couple that with some dedication and perseverance. Now you are good to go!

It really doesn't even matter what they think. No one can tell you how to live your life, it is simply ridiculous. After all, success comes from a genuine passion for what you do!

-N 

My Purpose: #SpreadHappiness

Smiles. The priceless and unique actions that seem to glow forever, though it may have only lasted a second. Making someone smile, now that's a whole other story. I cannot even begin to explain the meaning behind that feeling of pure happiness and joy. It's a feeling like no other when a smile, as enchanting as a birth of a star, begins to emerge from your beautiful face. 

To all my strangers, peers, friends, and family, I have only ever wanted to spread happiness in my life. So please excuse the excessive Thank you's and apologies, because I just want to keep you in a positive mood. Please excuse the random smiles that I throw at you on the street, because I just want to be kind. To me, there is no other feeling so comforting when you make someone's day with a sweet and simple gesture. Making people happy and keeping the world smiling is definitely a huge component to the legacy I want to leave behind. I know, it may seem simple, but I have always wanted to make a difference in our world and sharing stories of hope and optimism is how I want to get started. Knowing that you were the light in someone's hour of darkness, is the most rewarding thing to me and I strive to make these moments occur on a fairly regular basis. 

So I challenge you to be the bigger person, take the high road, and continue the cycle of kindness in our society. Be the change you want to see in our world. There are so many beautiful, heart-warming reasons to be happy and I'd love for you to share them among each other. Happiness is a very contagious thing, because your smile will cause another person to smile and soon you'll have a room full of happy people. Share the love and be empowered to step out of your comfort zone in order to be the positive energy that our world could use a lot of.   

-N

A Little Message That Couldn't Wait

Seriously. What did I ever do to you...
That makes you think I suck?
That makes you think I can never be successful?
That makes you think that I'm a loser?

Trust me, I know that I've really screwed up. But stop reminding me of who I used to be. I'm going to try to change, I promise. I want to do this for me, definitely not for you. It's my life. Let me take control. 

You're really not helping me. I heard you the first time. Changing myself is going to take time and you're just going to have to accept that. I know you're trying to get me to change, and I really appreciate that, it's just that I can only be the one who gets me to change. 

I know you think that I'm just trying to ignore you, but that is far from the truth. I want to change so much, I want to be successful, I don't want to be a loser. I think about this all the time, it really drives me insane sometimes. But, that is how badly I want this. 

Please, all I need right now is to believe in myself. Every time you remind me of my past, it is an obstacle that prevents me from ever getting to my future. I just need the support, it really means the world to me. I just got to keep going, keep trying, and keep attempting to change myself. 

Just one question, do you think that because I screwed up, that I can't get back to where I used to be and perform even better? Why is this the last of me? Why was my past the peak in this lifetime? Everyone falls down, you say, so why can't I? Was my mistake so big that I don't deserve to see success at all? Well, I guess you are allowed to make your own opinions. 

But, if I were you and I really cared about the well being of my friend/family member, I would really build them up. I'd make them feel that they can put their mind to anything and accomplish it all. I'd appreciate them and make sure they know that I am never going to completely give up on them. I'd give them the confidence to get over their fear of failure and finally improve. They would have my complete and utter support to be able to fall and get right back up. They would be able to realize that the secret to success comes mainly from extreme preparation and belief in themselves. They would realize that there had just been some subconscious and hidden potential that was just eager to be discovered. They would be able to tap into that "zone" and just give it their all in every circumstance. After all, what do they really have to lose? What's the worst that could happen?

-N

I Forgive You

Mistakes. They happen to everyone, it's what makes us human. I feel like teenagers are hurt by mistakes more than anyone else. We feel that after each mistake we will lose your respect and end up unloved, which is why we stress about each and every slight move. Ironically, despite how careful we try to be, we still end up making tons of slip-ups. It's a fact-- teenagers, at one point or another, will mess up. The anger and frustration that you have towards yourself builds at an exponential rate. There's no other way to describe it other than you are literally stuck in a mental cage of loneliness and fear that prevents you from wanting to fix your situation. You haven't got the slightest idea of what to do and you just sit there, frozen, with your fists clenched, blaming yourself for every little thing. What is he going to say when he finds out? How will she react? Will they ever forget? 

Three words. You won't believe how much of an impact these words have on us. They are probably the second most important three words after, "I love you". We need to know that this mistake is not the end of the world. We need to know that there is room for us to fall down and get back up. It's OK to make mistakes! Yes, I am a teenager. And yes, I've messed up a huge number of times, and I still mess up...often. I know, they make you feel worthless. If one thing is true, it is the fact that mistakes are the best teachers. When you slip up, your mental toughness is tested and hopefully proven as strong. Mistakes teach you to be fearless in your decision making and how to deal with disappointments. You will really be a stronger person, I just know it. So keep your chin up, bring out that beautiful smile, and get ready to learn...a lot.

I know. I screwed up and I'm so sorry. If you aren't ready to accept me and my mistake, I understand. But, please don't shut me out. Tell me what I have to do to regain your trust and I'll do it. The dark cave of fear is too much to bear. Please, put me out of my misery and say something. 

"I forgive you". 

-N

Prove Them Wrong

Haters. You know them, they're everywhere. Constantly trying to mess you up. Consistently doubting you. Their voices echo in your heads and shake your entire world. They have one goal in life and that is to make sure you fail.  Hopeless, spoiled, disgraceful, are some of the words that fire out of their mouths like bullets. Except these guns never run out of fire. When you think that you've escaped them, out comes another! You can't run from them. You try to fight back, you try to forget, you try to hide. But, try as you might, it just doesn't work. Even when all the commotion is too much to bear, it gets louder and louder. The sound of your pounding heart combined with the muffling noise of the bullies is too overwhelming. You try to gasp for air and you're shoved back down into the violence and harm. They don't know when they've gone too far and they keep pinning you to the ground, leaving you incapable of accomplishing great things. Your cry for help fades away into the distance and you wonder, when will I be safe? 

What they don't understand is that they are hopeless, spoiled, and disgraceful. But, please don't tell them. Instead, show them that they misjudged you. Let them have their moment of power and dominance, because they are completely unaware of their impact on you. They think they know everything about you, like you're some sort of open book. No one can tell you how to write your story. Work hard behind the scenes, by putting in the after-hours, and go for the sneak attack. Think back to when they first started cursing you, and show them that you were the wrong person to be messed with. Show them that they were too busy being shallow and unhelpful, when they should have been pursuing their personalities and humor. 

You don't deserve to be treated in such an inhumane way. Think about how amazing and talented the people in our world could be if everyone practiced being supportive and kind. To all the haters, can you please explain to me why you want to be so rude to one another? Because, you're going to be wrong. All of the insults that you fire at your victims, become sparks inside their souls. And once those sparks are ignited, you haters better stand back because I have faith that these people will rise above the stars and render you speechless.

-N

Just Keep Swimming

Perseverance. It's when life has just knocked you down, or thrown you a curve ball when you were least expecting it. But, you don't quit. In fact, you take life by the hand and acknowledge that you've taken a fall. You just get right back up and try again. You shake it off. Sounds pretty simple right? I really hope so! Because the first step to greatness is believing that you can! The next part is where things get a little more difficult, but it's definitely worth it in the end. Whenever you want to succeed, you have to be 100% immersed into your preparation. The passion and drive towards your goal is the fuel that powers you to fulfill your dream. When you genuinely love what you do, the sky's the limit on what you can achieve! 

I guess the question becomes, are you tough enough to put in all the work that it takes to get you to where you want to be? Even after all the grueling hours combined with sleep deprivation and complete exhaustion, are you still going to be motivated to improve? I think the determination to just keep pushing yourself comes mainly from your mind and heart. Having the ability to block out all distractions and remain focused is such a crucial part on your road to success. Here's how I like to think about it. You know that feeling after an insanely tough workout or when you've been working on a project until past midnight? One word. SORENESS. Whether you're in mental or physical pain, you know that you put in even more effort than you thought that you could. To be honest, I really enjoy that feeling because it's a representation of self-improvement. That's how you should feel every single day of your life!

In the end, it has to come from you. No one is going to force you to keep going and putting in the effort. Live, breathe, and dream your goals. It's a really tough thing, trust me, I know. But, if you are really passionate about what you're doing, does it really feel like work? Aren't you just lucky to be doing what you love? I believe that you can do anything you put your mind to! Forget about anyone doubting you. Believe in yourself, learn from the downfalls, put in the proper effort, and you'll be golden! Please, you're too special to give up now.

-N 

People Change People

Assumptions. Good or bad, you're usually in for quite a surprise. With that said, here's a documentary poem that I wrote that touches on how life-changing a single gesture can be to any ordinary person. In other words, people change people. I find it very fascinating how your friends, or even strangers, can bring out different sides of you. My advice: Don't assume or expect anything from people and instead, focus on being kind to one another. Do things out of the greatness of your heart, and not because you are hoping for something in return. Once you show people your good intentions, they will come around and surprise you in the best possible way. I hope you enjoy!

It's been about 5 years since I delivered my first pizza. 26 years old. I make about 8 bucks an hour. My tips range from nothing to the rare 5 bucks. Here I am on a Friday night, stacking freshly baked pizzas into boxes. The landline rings. A man with a deep voice asks for a deep dish pizza. Anchovies and all-you-can-eat-meat. He gives me his address and I tell him to give me 20 minutes. He hangs up. I get right to it. Bake the deep dish, add sauce and cheese, then the toppings. It's perfect. I carefully place it in the box and carry it to the company car. I plug in his address. 10 miles. Smooth jazz music plays. After 9 miles of driving, I look out and see big houses towering over me. An affluent neighborhood. Last time I came here, a woman took her pizza and "forgot" to tip. When I put my hand out, she spat in it. I walk up the marble steps and ring the doorbell. Silence. Suddenly, I hear the door handle rattle. The door creaks open and the man who was on the phone, popped out. In this split second, I wanted to try something different. This time, I smile. I ask him how his day was. Casual conversation. I open the box to show him the pizza. He nods as I hand it to him. He gives me a crumpled 1 dollar bill. It's better than nothing. I tell him, I appreciate it, and start to walk back to the car. I look over my shoulder to see the man giving me a faint smile. He then shuts the door. I sit in the car and take out the dollar bill. I open it up and a folded piece of paper drops into my lap. Confused, I unfold that as well. A check for $1,000 stares right at me.

Here I am again. 64 years old. This time, I lay on a hospital bed. Suffering from cancer. I am unable to pay for my treatment. I look outside my room and see a familiar face. It is the man who gave me the check many years back. He smiles at me and nods once more. He speaks to my doctor then leaves. Never to be seen again. My doctor rushes in to tell me that the man had just written another $1,000 check. Speechless. Amazed. The doctor gives me the green light. My treatment begins soon. They tell me that I will live. All because of the man in the affluent neighborhood. 


-N

Ignore the Demons, Follow the Angels

Overthinking. It's like millions of little people in your head harassing you with questions while continuously proposing situations that could only occur in the strangest of dreams. But, you listen to them anyway. You keep on listening even when the confidence and hope that once illuminated inside your soul, has started to diminish. It comes to a point where a decision that used to be made in a heartbeat, now takes weeks and months to get through. And even after all that time, you still wonder if the grass is really greener on the other side. To me, the worst part is that you start to blame yourself for every minor mistake. You're such an idiot, you say when you forgot to charge your phone. Because of me and my bad luck, you explain why the internet was slow. What if it doesn't work, you wonder about anything and everything, totally disregarding the possibility of success in your life. We start to believe these little demons inside of us and forget who we used to be. I'm still the same person, you tell yourself to preserve your sanity as you push away everyone who deeply and genuinely cares about you. Sadly, it's only you on the outside. But, where did you go? And where am I?

So, grab everyone who makes you feel pure happiness and joy, and never let them go. If they make you feel inspired to be yourself, then congratulations! You have broken the cycle and discovered the secret to life. Such people are able to remind you of the passions that used to consistently drive you. I'm here to remind you that it's not too late to let go of the demons and surround yourself with the angels in your life. Do whatever you can to just let go. Imagine the space that will be revealed once all the unhelpful and unnecessary thoughts disappear. That's more space to fill with unforgettable memories, endless smiles, and aspirations for the future. Without the extra burden of too many thoughts, you are no longer weighing yourself down and you are already set to accomplish great things! I believe you can prove those demons wrong and go above and beyond what you dreamed and wished to achieve in your lifetime.

I know it's hard to believe that you could be your own bully, but in some ways I think its the worst type of torture. After all, who do you trust more than yourself? 

-N