You Are Amazing... Just the Way You Are

You don't need any excuses to be yourself - remember that.

When you describe someone you know, what do you say about them? Do you say what ethnicity they are? Skin color? Sexual orientation? Things about their external appearance? While it's true that each of these aspects differentiate us from others, none of them make us any better than anyone else. I'm no saint, and there are times when I say things about people that I am downright ashamed of. But I could never imagine the feeling of directly tearing someone down day by day.

What is it that motivates others to take it upon themselves to try to openly harm someone? Are your own insecurities so difficult to handle that you take them out on others? To those who try to hurt others - you are the weakest of them all. To those who take the beating and get back up - your strength can move mountains, and you will one day change the world. 

As you read this, I ask of you one thing: anywhere you go, make it a point to stop others from hurting others. I'm not asking you to be perfect - you might slip up and spread a little gossip, or put someone down without even realizing it. Those things will happen. But please, never allow yourself to attack someone with the intent of harming them. Your words may gratify you now, but the scars you leave on that very individual will stay with them, and will come back to haunt you later. 

As a community, we need to reach out to each other and let each other know how much love we have to give. Bullying is a terrible act that blind kids of the love that is offered to them. It needs to end, and it needs to end now. While there are efforts to snuff out bullying, they appear far too rarely. When someone hurts them self or when tragedy strikes, we react instantly - and yet, on a daily basis, when this occurs all around us... even the best of us simply stand by and watch. 

God loves you more than you could possibly ever come close to knowing. Imagine the absolute deepest love a human can feel... God's love exceeds that love millions of times over. You are a result of His love for the world. In your lowest of moments, always remember that He has a plan for you and He will lead you step by step. Your actions, believe it or not, are changing the world. YOU are making an impact! It's our duty as children of God to shows this limitless love to each other - not to hurt each other. Think long and hard about this love... it gives you meaning and purpose in life, and it's what will drive you for all of your days. To quote one of my biggest inspirations, I say to you, "You've found your purpose, now make your difference!" 

Spread love.