Meditation Three

Hey everyone!  I'm sorry I haven't written for almost two weeks!  High school is...hard to describe.  One of my close friends said to me, "High school isn't even that big of a deal.  You just take care of business and get out."  Everyday, his words ring inside my head.  High school is an experience which is overwhelming, tiring, exhausting, mesmerizing, exciting, mind numbing, and nothing short of amazing.  In Biology, we have learned about the different levels of organization.  The definition of community is, "A group of species living together in one ecosystem."  High school is much the same.  We are each of a different species.  Yet, as most of us know, species coexist.  We have mutualism--- a relationship between different species where both individuals derive a benefit.  You might feel as if you are alone in high school.  You aren't though!  If you are yourself (I know, the repeated phrase), you will have friends. 
I can already tell that you are currently rolling your eyes and thinking, "This girl has no idea what she is talking about.  She is only a freshman.  High schools seems all great and amazing at the beginning, but her enthusiasm won't last long."  Well, you people better deal with the fact that what I say is true. BE CONFIDENT ABOUT YOURSELF!  I know, it doesn't sound very original.  Don't be someone you aren't.  Don't change yourself just so others can like you.  If someone doesn't like you because you don't have your hair a certain way or you suck at a particular sport, then they better just deal with it. 
I'm not saying that I don't have my moments of low self esteem.  I have them quite often.  I am affected by the smallest thing.  I overreact.  I'm not afraid to admit that.  I don't want you to be like me.  I want you to do the right thing for yourself. 
I have made so many friends in high school.  Just by having the simplest conversations.  A small joke made can create a laughter that goes on for ten minutes, and an observation can create discussions that last for much longer.  I truly need my friends.  They are part of the base of my support system.  If I didn't have friends, I wouldn't know what to do with myself.  So, I guess this is some passing thoughts I wanted to express.  They have been rattling around in my head for the past few days and, of course, I choose a Friday night to throw these thoughts at the Internet instead of doing my chorus essay.  (I guess I don't need to tell you I have a procrastination problem.)  
Conclusion:  Basically, I want all of you to be confident about yourselves.  Especially, if you're in high school.  Confidence can take you a long way.  I also would like to tell all of my close friends, thanks for being there for me. 

Trusting Your Friends

A small blurb on trust.  

Have you ever trusted your friends with a really important secret?  Or you asked them to do something for you and they promised they would?  I think you know where this is going.  

If you find out that they betrayed your trust or anything like that your reaction will be something like this, "I thought you were my friend!  What the heck!  How can I trust you with anything else?"  Here's some advice from me about what to do.  I trusted my friends with something and I freaked out when I found out that they broke their promise.  I was literally shaking when I found out.  I had no idea what to do.  They had an explanation that proved that they were true friends.   Here are a few tips from me when you find out that they broke a promise. 

Levels of being concerned:

How concerned you should be about it:

* level one = Should not be that concerned about it.  Example: Told someone you peed your pants in the second grade.  This is the past.  Doesn't matter.  You were a little kid.  Whatever!

** level two = Mildly concerned.  Example: Spread a rumor about you.  Sensible people know that most rumors are false.  Not many people will go crazy about it.

*** level three = Concerned.  Example: Told your crush you like her.  The girl will probably think 1.) No he doesn't. 2.) If he does, he won't like me after someone said he does.  3.) Just a dumb rumor.  So chances are, guys, everything will turn out ok.  

**** level four = Very concerned.  Example: Told your crush you like him.  Since I'm a girl, I would be very concerned.   

1.)  DO NOT FREAK OUT.

Four simple little words, right?  When I say freak, I mean do not go crying in a corner or shaking in front of the computer screen like you are freezing.  Just act very calmly and assess the situation.  It's a probably a very trivial matter that does not even matter.  

2.)  What's up?

 Ask your friend why they broke the promise they made.  It could be a very sweet reason: I just wanted you to be happy!  Since they wanted you to be happy, they were doing a real nice thing.  They weren't trying to make you upset.  They were only seeing a good outcome not a bad outcome.  If they were mad at you about something.  Talk it through with them.  It could end up being just one big misunderstanding. 

3.)  Think it over.

I said in tip number one, "Assess the situation."  This means: what could that person/people think about it?  Why did they do it?  Why did they break their promise?  Will this affect me that greatly?  Is the world going to end?  What am I going to do after this?  Will this affect my friendship?

4.)  Piece of advice.

If it's a level one thing and you freak out about it.  You will be affecting your friendship with that person more than this thing is affecting you.  Just calm down.  This will not affect you that much!

Basically:  The world is not going to end.  Relax.  You may leave the fallout shelter.  Get a glass of water and go to the movies with your friends.    

My friends:  It was sweet that you guys did that and understand my feelings.  Just next time, please respect my wishes!  ;)