you're not alone

this past Wednesday in school, we had a speaker come in and talk to us. we have one every Fall and Spring, but they're usually about drugs and alcohol, so they get pretty boring and repetitive. but this year, we had Manny Scott! he's an original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the movie Freedom Writers starring Hilary Swank. he's also appeared on The View and is well known as a great speaker around the world.

 

 

 

his main idea is that you're not alone. Mr. Scott did an activity with us where he had us stand up if we ever did what he would say. at first it was funny... "who in here can do the Dougie?" "who in here can do or knows what the stanky leg is?" and then he got more serious and told us not to make a sound when these people stood up. he would say things like "who in here is being raised by a single parent?" "who in here has seen their beautiful mother being abused by a man?" and finally "who in here has tried to do self harm to themselves or has tried to take their own life?"

 

he obviously asked many questions and lead up to the big ones with littler ones. but it was amazing how many people stood up when these questions were asked. you really don't know people at all. I would have never guessed the amount of people that stood up for the heavy questions he was asking. it was so sad to see that some people I've known for years have considered taking their own life because they were in a dark and depressed place.

 

I have a new found respect for all people. we can't judge people based on clothes or if they act different, because we have no idea what's going on in their home life.

 

 

at one point he asked everyone to get up and hug people that made a difference in their life and thank them for all they have done. it was such a touching moment and everyone was crying. it was beautiful!

 

so all in all, I just wanted to share that you are never alone. there are people in this world going through struggles that you are going through as well and if there are people who have been there by your side through hard times, give them a big hug next time you see them.

 

take advantage of everything you have because some people have nothing, not even parents. for some people, all they want is for their parents to love them, not abandon them.

 

 

also try some things to make some people around you have a better day:

 

1. compliment someone or make them smile

2. do some random acts of kindness this week, because everyone deserves some kindness

 

pretty heavy stuff, right?

just thought i'd share.

have a great weekend, all! xo