Make A change: Holding Up A Burning Torch For Life

Make A change: Holding Up A Burning Torch For Life: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! The time is indeed here when we close another chapter of our lives. For some of us exams have been all new, for othe...

Holding Up A Burning Torch For Life

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! The time is indeed here when we close another chapter of our lives. For some of us exams have been all new, for others like myself, the basic routine of the old clock at the front of the room has already worked a relaxed familiarity into our minds- in other words we’re the ‘old birds’. J

      We’ve all passed the stage of shaky hands and wild thoughts to ‘run for it while there’s still time’ when the student portal wasn’t open to access results. And, have already moved towards what our next step’ll be. Sixth form, UG, A-Levels, studying abroad, entering the work force, whatever it may be we should be proud that we’ve all accomplished something. We’ve endured the late night studying, slapping ourselves to stay awake in class, the effort put into SBA’s and IA’s, and sore bottoms after a 3 hour exam. Whatever our results may look like, it’s no use crying over spilt milk, ’tis the past. Instead, welcome the future with open arms.

       I’ve always told my brother, success comes with the three D’s: ‘Dedication, Determination and Discipline’. Use your results as a motivator, something that inspires you to drive on. It unravels your weaknesses so that you can correct them by trying your best the next time. Every one of us has a special treasure within us, the brain, so there’s no such thing as ‘I’m stupid’ or ‘I can’t do this’. Say ‘YES!!!!’ be confident, ‘I know I can’. Our Credo at President’s College has the words ‘We Can! We must! We will!’ Just try; it’s not the end of the world if you pick up a text book. I know the ‘million pages’ inside looks intimidating, but go a little at a time everyday and you’ll be okay.

      We can’t get into a university without putting extra effort, neither can being lackadaisical, or not having any goals set; it takes a lot of time spent studying and the ambition to get something out of life. We want to see social mobility taking place, to climb the rungs of that ‘social ladder’ and sit at the tippy top. We want success, a great job, a comfortable life, but we must work for it. Henry David Thoreau once said, ‘Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined’. Following your dreams is the only way you can achieve them. As you grow, learn and mature in life you’ll make adjustments to those dreams. But, that’s fine as long as you continue following them. And most of all don’t waste your time trying to live someone else’s life. Whatever interests you pursue it. Time is limited on this Earth. Don’t let the noise of other people’s thinking drown out your own voice...shout it out!!! Follow your heart and intuition; they seem to always know the way.

     As you proceed through life, remember that nothing but your best is acceptable. In everything you do, do it with a willing heart, a heart that is free of malice. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing a letter, cooking, doing chores, conducting an experiment; it should be done in a way that makes you feel proud when you’re done. Nothing in this world comes easy. Who said climbing that mountain was gonna be a walk in the park? You have to fight your way to the summit of ‘Success Mountain’. You stumble, you fall, you’re bruised and heartbroken, but be persistent...keep trying because when you get there, that euphoric feeling you’ll have will indeed make it all worth it.

     Mahatma Gandhi also said (and one of my favourite quotes) ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world’. When people look at you they must see you standing out, you shining amongst others. They must be able to say, ‘Ah! This is someone worth admiring....a role model’. When you die people must remember you for the good that you did, the change that you made in this world. We want to be leaders; we want to set an example for others to follow, we want to cross mountains and conquer things, a desire to make a difference in society. Let’s not leave hope in Pandora’s Box this time. We’ll walk through life together with that ‘burning torch’, impacting people’s lives and making a way for hope when there seems none at all.

Best of luck in ALL of your future endeavours!!!! J

Make A change: CELEBRATING THE INNER YOU!!!!

Make A change: CELEBRATING THE INNER YOU!!!!: Do you ever go to lunch with no one by your side? Cause the moment you arrive they leave the table Calling me everything but m...

CELEBRATING THE INNER YOU!!!!

Do you ever go to lunch with no one by your side?

Cause the moment you arrive they leave the table

Calling me everything but my name

Need I remind you again just call me Rachel

How would you feel if you’re running home crying

Lock yourself in your room; don’t want anyone to see ya

While everyone’s having fun outside, and you’re telling yourself

I won’t let it get to me no more

I don’t wanna feel this way

I can’t believe I let it go so far

No no, it’s not okay

What do you know about me?

Do you wanna know what I think?

Mean girls, mean girls

I’m a just comb you outta my curls

‘Mean girls, mean girls

You no longer rule my world...

From the moment I saw this video I knew I had fallen in love with Rachel Crow’s song ‘Mean Girls’. If you haven’t seen or heard it yet, then you should. The story behind it, sad but true, can cause anyone to stop, listen and reflect. Crow displays a situation that is prevalent in today’s society- bullying. But what I love most of all was the strength she showed, that indifferent attitude that says, ‘I’m no underdog!’ She presents the repercussions of oppressors who stimulate the feeling of insecurity and lack of self confidence in any targeted individual.

     At some point in your life you were laughed at, made to feel like the fool, someone made you cry, you were that ‘girl’ who  couldn’t afford the latest fashion, the fat one, the ‘zit-faced guy’ people scorned. My burning question, ‘Why do WE make other people’s lives miserable?’ Yes, we. Every one of us has contributed some way or the other to cause hurt and pain. We gossip and spread rumors as a natural part of life, not thinking of the wounds we might inflict. Think about it, haven’t you ever laughed at others who erred? Or partook in actions that you know would make someone uncomfortable just for the fun of it. *light bulb* Remember now?

     As human beings, we all look for acceptance. And it is because of this we’re all obsessed with our physical appearance. We stand in front of the mirror for hours, complaining that we’re too fat, or too ugly. We want to know why God made us this way. Why couldn’t we have been someone else? My dear friends, we are to blame. The crazy standards we set in this era have made everything complicated. Who says a model couldn’t be more than 110lbs? Who says you have to wear the flashiest thing to a party? The ‘image’ we created about a certain thing or look, or the way to do something has caused many a tear. Penalties are faced if an individual does not meet these ‘requirements’, and no, I don’t mean getting fined or sent to face the judge. By penalties I mean people being shunned and made fun of, the prey for ‘mean predators’ to torment. And in most cases for teens, it results in depression, loneliness and a feeling that they’re not worth it. We are the ones who contribute to driving people to this stage, even forming suicidal thoughts in their minds. Yes, of course, everyone has a mind of their own but we must remember that the environment in a way, influences a person’s actions and therefore we must take part of the blame.

      It’s simple. If we do not like people treating us that way, why do it to others? You Tube has millions of videos with boys and girls who use it as a way to express themselves and share with the world how bullying affects them. Recently on ‘Dr. Sanjay Gupta’ a 14yr old girl did surgery to fix her face because she was being laughed at in school. We need to take a stand. We need to say its okay. It’s okay to be different. It is important for us to stop complaining about the things we DON’T have, and start appreciating the things we DO have. Open your eyes and look at yourself at a different angle. There are people out there who have no hands, no feet, people who are paralyzed or bedridden, people who are dying of AIDS, people who have no hair as a result of chemotherapy, people in Africa and India and other parts of the world who are suffering from poverty and hunger, people who’ve never seen a computer before, people who’ve never had the liberty of an education.

      Let us now wake up each day, look at ourselves and say, ‘I’m beautiful’... ‘I’m unique!’ You may not look like a hot model, but take a closer look at the assets that you have and start appreciating you for who you are. There is only one you. Let’s stop deifying someone we feel has everything we could want. If God made us all in His image, aren’t we then special in our own way? Most importantly too, is what kind of individual we are inside. It is better for us to have a beautiful soul that shows qualities of kindness and compassion, one that is always ready to reach out and lend a helping hand. Identify your short comings, and bit by bit it can be carved away, allowing you to bloom in all God’s glory.

*A special thank you to Gloria Chin who, even though she is the typical 'busy' mom, took the time to review my work <3