Writing Prompt #7

There are many people whom I would like to meet. Looking back on history, there are many people that I admire.

My first is a very cliche Christian boy thing to say, but Jesus Christ is at the top of my list. Being in the presence of Someone who is so sweet, kind, truthful, honest, and loyal would be breath-taking. He is the air that I breathe and the reason that I live, so why would I pass up that opportunity? So many people depict Him as being solemn and serious, but they do not realize that He is joyful, had a sense of humor, and only said what was true. I would have loved to see Him face-to-face when He was on earth, but I know I will in the future.

Marilyn Monroe is another person that I would have loved to have been acquainted with. I am basically obsessed with finding more about her life (not in a creepy way). She is probably the saddest human being I have ever heard of. Her life was a show: she created the character of "Marilyn Monroe" and constantly put on a mask to hide her feelings. I would go back to give her a hug, tell her that life is sweet and worth-living, and that she was loved...not for her fame, her fortune, or her posessions, but for herself. I don't think a lot of people showed her  that. She need to hear that she was loved.

Writing Prompt #6

What are you most proud of?

It is easy to answer this question with regards to accomplishments that are mainly focused on yourself. I am proud of the things that I have done, but I find it more rewarding and easier to be proud of someone else. Seeing another person's accomplishments, and taking the step to become proud of them, is an inspiration in itself.

I have accomplished many things in my life, and all were rewarding and honorable, but I am most proud of a group of kids. Kids are so inspiring, care-free, and hard-working. I am extremely proud of a group of kids that I am a group leader of for a children's program for my church. The program is called "SHOUT" and it is for 5th and 6th graders. I lead a small group of about five boys, and I've gotten to know them very well. Each kid is individually set apart from the other through their own special talents, skills, and personalitities. Each one is dedicated to making other kids around them happy and to feel special. They all love life to the fullest, and I am honored to be a part of their lives. I am proud of them for sticking up for each other, being themselves, and respecting everyone (including me, their group leader).

Writing Prompt #5

What motivates you?

Knowing that I have one life to life, and that the people around me are there for a purpose is what motivates me. I love getting the chance to impact people in everything that I do. Whether it be in Speech, fall play, the musical, at church, or just in school, I take every opportunity to impact people in all that I do by remaining positive, supportive, encouraging, and uplifting to the people around me. I do not know what people go through outside of the walls of this school building, so why not be the (possibly) only encouraging person they face today? Why not be the smile that they see going down the hallway. My positivity and joy is not faked for the sake of someone else feeling good, it is genuine joy. It comes out of my love for people.

Seeing the impact that is  left when I encourage people is amazing. I say so many stupid things (puns, jokes, and random comments), but that's who I am. Even though it's incredibly random, people usually get a laugh out of me being myself. If that's the kind of joy someone else needs to flow into their life, I'll always be willing to provide that!

The most courageous thing you can possibly do is leave a huge impact on someone's life with one act of random kindness.

Writing Prompt #3

What characteristics do you value most in a friend? Explain why they are important.

The characteristics that  I value most in a friend are honesty, loyalty, and a sense of humor.

When I choose friends, I choose them carefully. I feel that there is a difference between befriending a person, and just being friendly to them. I believe that friends are people you deliberately put yourself around to strengthen your qualities as a human being, as well as your characteristics as a friend. There is nothing wrong with just being friendly to someone. That just means that you are being wise as to not putting yourself around them as much as you would your friends. You have to be friendly to people, regardless the attitude they may have or the dislike they may have against you. You are wise in not setting yourself around them on a regular basis.

1) If you are deliberately setting yourself around people who you want to call "friends", people who will support you and build you up as a human being, then the need to do just that: support and build. A key characteristic in doing that is honesty. They need to hold you accountable for all that you are doing. Whether it be through encouragement in something positive that you  are  doing, or by telling you that what you are doing might have a negative effect on your life, they need to be honest about how they feel you are doing as a person. This doesn't mean that they are condemning you, it just means that they are giving you input. You should trust this input since you have chosen them as friends, so you should expect them to do so.

2) I also feel that loyalty is a good characteristic to have in a friend. If a person is one way when they are around you, and then completely different when they are around someone else, talking about you behind your back and putting on a mask to please others, do not label them as "friend." Set yourself around someone who will support you, stick up for you, and does not change who they  are when around others.

3) You can't have  a good friendship without a good sense of humor! It is healthy to, after a long and stressful day, to have someone to share a laugh with. It will benefit you physically, emotionally, and mentally to have the ability to joke with someone who you trust, are honest with, and loyal to.

Without these characteristics, it wouldn't be called a "friendship". . . it would just be an "acquaintance"