What makes a friend? Is it someone you hand out with after school? Is it someone you hang aorund with at school? Is it someone who you call when you have nothing to do on a Friday night?
I guess a friend is all of these -- and more. I mean, all of these things might be done with one single person, or you could do different things with different people.
I know a friend should be honest, caring, trustworthy, and loyal; understanding, reliable and dependable.
There's no sure way to tell if someone's your friend. I guess it's just a feeling, an instinct. You just know. A trus friend is someone you can count on to be three when you need a shoulder to cry on. And your friend will be there to laugh and joke around when you just feel like being silly.
Friendship is a two-way street though. You can't have a friend without being a friend.
Throughout your life you will have many friends. Some will only be around for a little while, and soem will ramin with you throughout your life.
No friendship is meaningless. One good time shared with a friend makes the whole experience worthwile.
I believe everyone has the ability within themselves to be a friend. Sometimes this gift goes unnoticed, or is ignored. To me this is a total waste of time.
Often people don't take the tiem to be friends with someone. Why? Who knos?! I think everyone should try to be friends with everyone else. I've found the more friends you have, the more fun you have.
So maybe we should all make a promise to ourselves and all our peers. That promise is to make a new friend.
I'd like to welcome you to my world. Some would say it's not much different than anyone else's, and maybe it's not. I don't know because I've only lived in mine.
My world is one overflowing with tears; some red with anger, others green with envy. My world is filled with rejection, confusion, disappointment and hate.
Being overweight all my life has taught me me many things. One is how cruel people can be. Some people are cruel because they are mean. But most are cruel without realizing it.
My weight (210 lbs. last time I checked for all of you who were wondering) has made me a very insecure person. I mean, I love myself, and I understand that I'm not less than anyone else. I know that beauty's only skin deep, and that it's what's on the inside that counts. However, I also recognize that society in general, although it preaches these things, doesn't believe them for a second. As as intelligent as I am, realizing that I have a long list of things to be secure about, it's hard to be secure when society doesn't "practice what it preaches".
How many "You're a wonderful person but..." speeches can one girl possibly life through? And how many "...let's just be friends" can she bear? All of them -- physically. But emotionally?
I've been through it all countless times. I've listened to guy after guy after guy say, "You're a great person but I just want to be friends." It never gets easier.
I like to call it "esteem translation". Someone who is insecure lives in a world where all "You're a great person but..." speeches end in the insinuated conculsion "...not wonderful enough for me to love."
Most people figure that saying, "You're a great person" before giving bad news helps lessen the blow. I can tell you it just makes things worse. If you don't believe what someone is saying to you, then you believe it's a lie. And when you start to think that the fact that you are a great person is a lie, then you're headed for trouble.
You see? It's all very complicated.
What being overweight has taught me is that life in our society is not meant to be lived in this condition. Now, hold on...don't start thinking I'm suicidal, I just mean that life is tougher when you're overweight.
Take shoes, for example. Shoes are made in wide sizes. However, 70% of the popular styles for teens rightnow are not wide. Therefore, you have to settle for what you can get. It's like that with everything. Picture it; you go to buy a bracelet, you just like all your friends have. You go to the store and pick one out. It's tres cool, and all...then you try it on. Wrong!! It doesn't fit. Now, most people wouldn't think of this problem. But it's a real problem. When you're overweight, you're not just overweight in our waist. You're overweight everywhere: your waist, hips, chest, wrists, ankles, feet...and so, shopping for anything becomes a struggle.
Clothes are the same way. Sure, there are plus sizes; but what's "in" isn't usually made in plus sizes. I'm not suggesting tiny-tees for overweight women. I'm just saying that some fashions can be made larger. I can fit into large in some fashions. But then it's a question of self-respect and decency. I fit into them, but they don't fit right, and I look like a fool. It's hard to maintain your dignity when you're chubby.
Some would say that losing weight is the answer. However, it's not always easy to do. I have been on and off diets for the past 11 years of my life. I have never been totally committed, and if I became intent on losing the weight, I could. My point is, why should I have to? I should be able to be who I am without worrying if who I am is good enough.
My world will always be one of rejection, confusion, disappointment and hate. It's discouraging living in a world you know will never change. That is my world.
