伊麗莎白·切利/Elizabeth Cherry
Always believe in yourself no matter what; love the person that you are and appreciate what God has given you. These are laws of Life that are useful for everyone. I think that before people can live happy lives, they must believe in and accept themselves. The hardest thing for individuals to do is to look in the mirror and like what they see. Accepting yourself, being thankful for God's gifts and believing you can accomplish anything for which you strive is hard for all of us. To live a fulfilling life, you must start with believing in yourself as a person.
I have struggled with believing in myself so many times in my life. Struggling with little tasks such as completing homework or memorizing a piece on the piano, I would get so frustrated. You never realize how much easier your life becomes if you have confidence before you take on a task until you say, "I can do this!" Four or five years ago, I began taking piano lessons. Recital time was approaching, and I had a piece that I needed to memorize. Coming home with a feeling of frustration and poor attitude, I just knew I could not accomplish this task. I sat at my piano and told myself that I would never get it finished. What was supposed to be the me memorization of a few lines of music is now a life lesson for me. I did end up finishing the piece, and the recital went smoothly. The important point is, looking back on this time in my life, I can see how important it is to know that you can accomplish anything you want to do if you try your best. Now, when I become frustrated with a piano piece, I never give up and think that I cannot do it. Always beginning with a positive attitude, I sit down and tell myself that I can accomplish my goal if I put my mind to it. I realize that I should have this attitude in everything I do. Never give up, believe that you can accomplish anything in which you put your mind and heart.
Love yourself, and like who you are. It is hard for many people to look in the mirror and like what they see. The media of today gives an image that many want to follow. Girls should be tall and perfectly skinny, and boys should be tall and extremely muscular. As a teenager, I fully understand all of these pressures that are put upon us. Every time I turn on the television or open a magazine, I see tiny, skinny little bodies that I think I should have. I have wasted more time wishing I could be someone else than I have living my life to its fullest. To this day, I would love to have the perfect body, but I must realize that I am as beautiful as any "perfect" girl on the cover of a magazine and that what counts the most is on the inside, not the outside. Teenagers are also faced with making decisions at their young age. Alcohol, drugs, and sex are so common for the average teenager. Although many people would laugh at and make fun of me because I have not indulged in these rebellious actions, I have learned that staying away from distractions makes me feel good about myself. I do not have to drink, do drugs, or have sex to be a popular and likeable person; I can be myself. Learning to love myself for who I am, not what I look like and what I do, has really made my life more pleasant and fulfilling. Everyone deserves happiness. It is vital to learn to appreciate and love yourself.