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