Writing Prompt #4

What is your personal credo (belief)?
I personally believe that a contributor to happiness is being real. Real with who you are, who other people are, and real about life. You don't have to put on a show around one group of people, and then turn and be a different person with another group. By being real, you are yourself around people and behind closed doors.

Self-respect is also something that I believe everyone needs to practice in their own lives. So many people in today's sociey demand respect when they are not even respecting themselves. Whether it be putting themselves down, flashing almost every inch of their bare skin, or deliberately building a poor reputation, a person needs to ground themself in good morals, values, and decent self-respect. Others will see that and give automatic respect without the person even asking for it, or realize they are even getting it.

My final belief is that everyone deserves a chance at being joyful in something that benefits them and the people around them. I think there is a huge difference between being happy and being joyful. I feel that happiness is something that only last for a short while, while joy is infinite. Joy is something that is hard to break down, and sometimes hard to build  up. But that is what makes joy so strong; going through times of trouble to build a foundation of confidence, self-acceptance, and wisdom. I believe that every single person, regardless of what  they have done, deserves a chance to experience joy. Happiness can be acquired through doing something totally destructive, but doing something that is positive and benefits everyone around a person doing so brings joy to every person involved and watching.

Writing Prompt #2

"You don’t get to pick where you’re from, but you always have control of where you’re going."

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

I have had the privilege of attending Clarinda Academy once a month for a a little over a year now, and I have gotten to know quite a few of the students there. I am thrilled each time I go because I know that each student there is excited to see the group that I go with for their church services. I have heard many of the kids' stories...each one heart-breaking. They all have homes, families, and "friends" that they are not excited to go back to once they get discharged from The Academy.

Every Sunday, the boys and girls have separate church services. They are split according to gender. I have grown especially attached to the guys' group. When we go, they get into the music, they are attentive, and they love talking after the service. I have had many guys come up to me and tell me that they are seniors. I ask what they're going to do once they graduate, and they say, "I'm going to college. First one in my family to go." They have a mindset of what they want to do, where they want to go, and how they want to do it. However, the enviornment that they go back to is a huge obstacle that they have to go through. Either their friends, family, or a combination of both influence them in a very negative way, tempting them to tap back into drug use, criminal behavior, or other addictions. They tell me that they don't want to go back to that enviornment, and I pray with them about it each time. I remind them that though they're going into a dark enviornment, they can be a light that changes it. My friend Roberto just got discharged last week. He was not excited at all to go back, but he is determined on where he wants to go, when he wants to do it, and how it needs to get done.

It is true that you can't change where you came from, but you can be the light that helps change its negative traits, if any. Then you, and those in that darkness, will be brought to a better place than where you came.

Prompt #1

If a handful of people can change the world for the worse, then I am certain that a handful of people can change the world for the better.

What will you do do to make this world of ours, which feels so broken right now, a better place?

 

Some would say that the brokenness found in the world today is because previous generations failed in providing beneficial growth to our nation in every way, shape, or form imaginable. Wars have happened, nations have fallen, and people have been hurt. Older and previous generations have directed where the world goes, and where younger generations will end up. Many of them have directed our younger generations into destruction and despair out of careless actions.

I have had the privilege of hanging out with several incredible kids in the past two years. They each have their own lives, stories, personalities, and interests. They are all different…but they have one thing in common: they all look up to the older generation. I have had a lot of one-on-one time with two specific boys, kind of on a mentor basis. They both really look up to me. It’s strange how quickly we bonded to each other. I see them both as my little brothers, and I want to see them succeed in life.

As an adult, I have the duty of setting the example for others who are younger than me. My life a walking visual for what being older looks like. I must choose wise decisions, I need to be kind to others, and it is necessary to be morally structured. This isn’t only to benefit my faith, personal beliefs, or opinions, but to show younger generations that you can succeed without following the footsteps of someone who does not care where they end up.  This does not mean that I put on a “I am against destructive behavior because I want the little ones to succeed” show. Then it would not be sincere. It would be pointless. Being morally structured in my own life will flow naturally into my everyday actions, will be seen by everyone around me, and will pour into someone’s life.

We can’t change the brokenness in the world at this very second, but we can prepare the way for a younger generation that will bring healing to wounds, success to failure, recovery to destruction, and light to the present darkness.

College

Yes; I have applied to Azusa Pacific University. . . and that's it.