Phoenix
By Mack Jenkins
A friend of mine once said we live in the past. But he was wrong.
We are born in the past. The things we do mould and form who we are. It’s one of those if-I-could-go-back-and-change-one-thing kinda deals. Would you? I mean, really would you? Because that one little thing could change your life dramatically. I wouldn’t.
But if you had asked me a year ago I would have said “Heck yes!” Because, well, I would have.
So you got embarrassed talking to the girl you like? You go back and do it over and she still might not like you. But you go back and try and talk to her again after you’ve embarrassed yourself. Now that takes courage and she’d probably respect you for it.
Without your past who would you be? Not yourself. I mean, think about it. What if you never broke your leg in public school and couldn’t play soccer till it healed and you discovered you were a good artist or writer.
Or if you never got bullied in public school. You never would have realized how it felt, and you wouldn’t be the compassionate person you are today and be kind to people who are bullied.
Pick five things in your past you could change. Now picture yourself without them. Here is one of my five.
In elementary school I was bullied a lot. And I have been clinically depressed since Grade 6. If I hadn’t been I bullied wouldn’t have been depressed; good or bad thing? Bad. The fact that I’ve dealt with depression since then means that I know how to deal with other people who are depressed. You know help them through their issues – plus, not too much fazes me insult – wise because of my experiences in elementary school. I have friends who are depressed and now they talk to me about their issues. I think it’s because I know what they’re going through and how to help.
Now, if I hadn’t been bullied and I hadn’t been depressed, a lot of people I talk to would be hurting and one friend in particular would be dead.
So here’s what it’s all left me with: 1) You grow from your past and become who you are. It’s a piece of you.
2) Everything has two sides to it: a pessimistic side, and an optimistic side. And whichever way you choose to look at things, regardless good or bad, you will be stronger because of it!
