During times of influence and development of a young mind is where it could be changed the most. Most notably, in high school where the most important life choices are made to decide one’s future.
However, such influence can negatively impact one’s life through being molded in a negative light. Due to lack of structure in one’s mind at a young age, a choice today could impact one’s future indefinitely tomorrow.
Beyond high school, with the rise of the internet, it’s easy to follow the influence of others and to lose sight of one’s own morals. However, if given proper care, the mind could become defensive in will and offensive in spirit.
A mind is often easily molded due to lack of unawareness in one’s own values. Since most don’t know when to make their own choices, they will submit to others out of fear and lack of trust in their own capabilities. As a result, peer pressure is used to get others to follow the opinions of someone demanding control and respect.
It is essential to establish one’s own beliefs, values, and ideals before consideration of others. This can be done through writing of your characteristics and what you believe to be yourself.
In this process, it is key to not undermine one’s self the way they typically would. Rather, to see themselves or give the same sympathy given to others to themselves. This way allows for perspective and a stronger understanding of one’s true values and morals.
When completed, then one must truly believe in their values. Good, bad, or ugly, to best understand themselves and their worldview to make it unshakable to the minds of others. This allows peer pressure and influence of others to bounce off the individual and best freely express themselves.
However, this is easier said than done. To be free of others is to believe in one’s self despite everything, no matter how good or bad. If one lets others get to their head, then they will question themselves and their ideals.
As a result, to believe in one’s self is to be fearless and free of judgment. To free one’s self to live their own story.
To never let the story be forgotten or permissible, it must be the will of iron. After everything one may face, they’re still themselves at the end of the day.
Students and teachers must have such unshakable wills to better face their lives now and tomorrow. In fact, students and teachers alike share their stories of will, resiliency, and resistance.
“It depends on the situation. If I’m having a bad day then of course I’ll get mad. But if I have a good day then that’s alright, it depends on the mood. I’d persevere, with the things I have to do after school. I have the mentality of getting it done because someone told me I had to get it done.” – Fausto Shuguli, a senior, states how life may be challenging, but he shows perseverance for his own mentality.
“Sometimes, honestly, I guess it depends on what attributes. It’s more so because I worry about the little things, especially towards academics and athletics. I want to be strong-minded, honestly, I overthink a lot.” Gabrielle Pauling, a junior, says about her strength in mind vs strength of heart.
People of today must mold the path for the people of tomorrow. In a time of influence with social media, it is easy to lose one’s self and who they are. But, what matters is not the choice and destiny of others, but the destiny that can shine in one’s self for generations.
