Dealing With Difficult Situations.

     December was not the best month for me. I went through an extreme low in my life, unable to explain what was happening. This month starting out hasn't been near as bad, but it hasn't exactly been amazing either. Emotionally, things have been difficult for me. However, in this time I've come to realize what it's like to be lonely, even when you are around people. This feeling has happened to me before. Thinking no one really gave much of a care about me when in reality people really did care. Although, what many people don't realize; when you are in a state of extreme lows, you don't see people the same. Your feelings are different, your thoughts are different, you are different. No matter who around you tries to help, it's you who has to step up and fight back. Fighting against something that's not physically there is not easy, it's not something you can control in one night. Dealing with this type of stuff takes small steps until you reach your ideal goal. Starting small doesn't mean you are weak, it means you're trying. Trying is better than sitting back and accepting it.
     Now that I am attempting to get better, things around me seem to be more triggering. Unfortunately, that's what happens sometimes in order to improve ourselves and strengthen ourselves. Going through something so difficult, it's okay to have a breakdown. Just remember to keep moving forward and learn from the past. 
     In the end, you're not alone. No matter how bad you feel you are, there are so many people out there who care. Those people may not show it, they may not say it every day. But they care. I thought I was alone, I couldn't have been more wrong. People I thought hated me, turned out to be the ones who cared the most. I'm thankful for these people and those around me who were patient and helpful through my worst times. 
     To anyone who reads this and feels lonely/depressed, please don't give up. There are people around you, it takes some time to find them, but there are people who care. To anyone reading this who knows or think they know someone dealing with depression right now, take the time to message them. Just talking can really change someone's day.

Think Before You Judge

     It seems like now and days people keep finding new ways of putting someone down. Unfortunately, putting these people we hardly even know down is becoming more common. Why is it society finds a need to say or make rude unneeded comments about someone before getting to know them? It's coming to an extent with this world/society that it feels if you are not 'perfect' in their eyes then you are immediately a new target. For example, it seems more and more I read in the news about people ridiculing and harassing Autistic kids because they are 'loud' or a 'nuisance'. It's unfortunate people can send death threats about these kids to their parents, saying these kids should never live. These kids deserve a chance in this world as much as we do. You don't know their story, any one of us could of been autistic, but fortunately we aren't. It's not right for us to harass anyone like that. Not only Autistic kids, but, the homeless, people who can't make ends meet who try harder then you may ever see. We just immediately assume that these people do nothing and sit on their butts all day. At any time in our life, we could be just like them. As I mentioned, you have no idea if they may be hard workers that hit a rough patch or if their not. So, instead of being quick to judge them, why can't we just live our life's and stop being so concerned about ridiculing someone else's.
     We have enough time to judge and harass others for their lives, lives we really can't change. But, we don't have the time to fix our lives? We don't have the time to do something good? If more people took that time they use to judge, harass, and worry about someone else's life style and put it to helping, working, volunteering, saying more positive things; this world could honestly be a better place.
     Though, I know this world will not change just because of a teenage girl writing some post. However, I do believe if just one person reads this, then takes action towards it, it could start something amazing. We act like we can't do anything, but really, if we put in our minds we can, we would be shocked at what we could get done. As Henry Ford once said: "Whether you believe you can or you can't, you're right". Teach your brain that you can make a difference, and watch, you will! This doesn't require some complicated pre-calculus problem, it just requires some true motivation!
     Take some time to compliment someone, take some time to ask someone how their day is, offer them some assists moving something. Those small, simple, easy, things can really make a big impact. None of which requires judgment, other than judging which one you should do! 

Unwelcome

     Sometimes we get involved with something and immediately get an 'unwelcomed' feeling. This happens fairly often, unfortunately. However, we may not be able to change what people think about us, we can change how we think about the situation. For example, if you just joined a new group and you feel like the people around you don't accept this; give it time. This doesn't ultimately mean everyone will like you by the end, if anyone at all, but it will begin to show people who may become more accepting. Although, there may be cases were no one will ever accept you into the group, the best you can do is remember what you are there to achieve. These people around you may not be the best support group, but if you just leave, you're letting them win, and that is giving up. We can't just give up because people around us don't like us, if we did. nothing would ever get done. It is difficult when you feel unwelcomed (maybe unliked) but at some point that feeling may just go away, and maybe it won't. You'll just have to push through it, keep looking out at your goal. If one or two people take the time to be your friends that's great, if not, that's alright, you still have friends outside of what you're doing who would support what you are doing. Don't give up because of feeling unwelcome to a group, work hard and achieve what you set to achieve.. If you give up, you are going to be the one unsatisfied. Just remember everyone can have their own thoughts, but you can make your mind up whether you want to sit back and take it, or stand up and say "I got better things to be worrying about". 

Sincerely,
Brooke

Changes

     Some people change your life for the better and that's great. Although, don't put so much reliance on one person to make your life better. As we know, or should; no one will be around forever. Whether they passed away or they just simply walked away from your life. In these situations where our happiness has basically been removed we tend to get down and give up. However, instead of getting bitter we should get better (quote from Josh Shipp). Don't look at this situation as a way to find all the negatives about yourself or even just finding negatives about life. Instead, look at the situation as a way to become strong on your own. That person was an influence, since no one can 100% change you they can only influence you to make your mind up. We can't go around hating not only ourselves for something like this but life. It is hard losing someone; no matter how (death or walking out). We can't let that be our down fall, but let it be a time to look at yourself and realize that person had started something, if you like it keep it going. If that person walked out of your life, you realize they weren't really worth it, if the person passed on, they don't want you to cry for them but celebrate what they have completed in there life or maybe just they want you to keep your life going. We will come to a point where someone we care about will leave, but we can only get stronger and less depended on someone else and more depended on ourselves to be happier. Never lose sight of your dreams and remember that there is so much out there no matter what negatives happen! 

Stay Strong, 

Brooke

Love who you are..

One thing that I notice a lot is the lack of confidence that people have in their bodies and appearance, because someone called them 'fat' or someone said their 'ugly'. You shouldn't be so focused on pleasing everyone. Let's face it; no one in the world is loved by everyone, there is still haters even if we don't see it day to day. Everyone is based to their own opinion, but you don't have to listen to their opinion, and shouldn't. When looking at yourself in the mirror take in everything, don't just look and feel bad because you don't fit societies standards. Society is a kind of  test, seeing how strong you really are. If you fail the test, you'll probably feel terrible for a majority of your life. However, if you pass the test, you can move on with confidence and a smile. It's just a matter of using that on and off switch: turning off the negative stuff, and turning on the positive stuff. If you just take the time to realize that not everyone will be satisfied by who you are, you may just start to realize how beautiful you really are.

Sure, this may take some time to fully be confident and love yourself. Although, it is 100% worth it in the end. Start by surrounding yourself with people who you can talk to about this. Having a strong group of supportive friends can make things a little easier. Next, when you see a photo or video that upsets you, turn it off. Focusing on something that upsets you isn't healthy to a good confidence level. Finally, always remember when you feel bad because someone calls you a name, just think; not everyone likes how that person looks either. In the end, if you work on building a strong confidence it can make life much easier, since we only live one time, we should make it count! 

~ Cheers, Brooke