Being an inspiration will help the world

By ALLEN AYERS

Sheridan High School Student

Editor’s Note: The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade English class, taught by Abby Williams.

Being an inspiration is a big part of my life, and I love inspiring people to do something that they have dreamed of doing for their entire life. Inspiring people is simple: Tell them to go farther than they thought they could go!

You go through things in life and it brings you down, but you always have people who love you and want you to follow your dreams. People today mostly talk about how they can’t do something, but I tell you what, you can do anything you put your mind to. You are who you choose to be, so don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it – because you can.

There will be people out there who will pick on you and tell you that you can’t follow your dreams, but that will be present throughout your entire life. Here’s some advice: MOVE ON! If you stay mad and can’t let go, then life is going to be tough. Here’s the thing: You are important and needed. You are needed so you can help the community be a better community. My point is to love one another and inspire others.

Maya Angelou said, “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” What this quote means is to try to inspire people to have a good day if they are feeling down and then tell them to pay it forward. This world would be a much better place if there were more people willing to inspire others.

Such an example is bullying. Bullying is a big problem nowadays. According to dosomething.org, approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying.

Just because people may have different skin color, race, religion, or looks does not mean that they don’t have feelings. I’ve been bullied before and it sucks but I’ve made it through, and if I’ve made it through, so can you. I’ve learned to love myself, and you should too.

You may be asking, “How do you do that?” Spend time around the people who love and inspire you, and refrain from hanging around “friends” who put you down.

My grandmother used to say “We all bleed red,” which means we are all human, regardless of ethnicity, religion, background, past mistakes, etc. You have no idea what somebody is going through when you bully them. Let me tell you something – you are important and you are awesome. My point here is that you are a unique individual and you are special, and you shouldn’t ever let anyone cause you to think otherwise.

The golden rule is “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Sometimes in life people you love will do something so bad that it is hard for you to forgive them, but forgiveness is an essential part of life. Most of all, we need to learn to love and help each other.

If you would like some more information about relationships, bullying and making a positive contribution, please go to dosomething.org.