Privacy

In elementary school and junior high, people didn't have a lot of secrets.
Our "secrets" were little things that didn't really matter, such as the boy we had a crush on.
Sure, they seemed important then, but looking back, they weren't that much of a big deal.
People felt fine sharing their "secrets" with all of their friends.

Now, in high school, we have bigger secrets.
Things that really do matter.
Things too personal to tell even your close friends.

Even though there's such a big differance, people still expect to get the same amount of information.
People seem to think they're entitled to know everything about their friends.
In my opinion, that's a little selfish.
We're all only entitled to information others are willing to share with us.
People shouldn't have to feel guilty not sharing.

Some people seem to not feel quite as close to someone who doesn't share all of their secrets with them. Have you ever noticed, sometimes just knowing someone is willing to listen if needed, means a lot more than someone who demands information.

Next time your friend seems to be upset about something, or keeping something to themselves, don't demand to know what's wrong or what they're not telling you. Next time, just let them know you're they're if they need someone to talk to, but you have to mean it.

Sometimes, it helps just to know someone cares.

I have come to the conclusion

that people are supposed to change in high school.

It’s pretty obvious that everyone has changed since they’ve left junior high. I can’t think of one person that hasn’t. Everyone is pretty good at pointing out how others have changed, even though it can be hard to see changes happening within yourself. That scares me. Yes, I know I’ve changed. I can tell. What I have a problem with is figuring out the ways I have changed. I’m sure I’m not the only one with that problem. I think, as friends, it’s our job to point these things out to each other, before it’s too late.

It’s kind of hard to listen when someone tells you how you’ve changed. A lot of the times you feel hurt or upset, but eventually, you realize they’re not hurting you by sharing this with you. They’re helping you. They point out something that could be a positive or a negative change. This especially helps if it has a potential to big a negative change. They need to be pointed out to us so we can try to fix it, before it becomes part of who we are. The longer you wait without realizing you’re changing, the harder it will be to change back, if it’s even possible.

Better late than never… Maybe it’s time you point out to your friends how they’re changing, or maybe how they’ve already changed. It may be hard to explain. They may be upset with you at first, but in the long run, it’s worth a try.

We’ve worked much too hard making our relationships strong to let a few unnoticed changes tear us apart.

This year, I’ve realized how easy it is to change without even realizing it. I don’t know about you, but that scares me. It scares me a lot.

It’s better to point things out. You don’t have to be totally honest. The blunter you are, the harder it will be for them to take it. All they need is for someone to tell them, as nicely as possible, what you’re seeing. Afterwards, don’t just leave them to sort out their own problems. They need their friends then, more than ever. Just someone to talk to. Someone that will listen. You may not feel like you’re helping, but by being their friend, you’re doing more for them than anyone else ever could.

It will be hard for both of you, but it will be worth it.

It’s not too late.

25 things that make me sad

1. hate
2. being unsure
3. not knowing if someone cares
4. seeing people sad
5. being scared
6. worrying
7. wondering
8. people I care about moving away
9. not knowing what's going to happen
10. not knowing why
11. unfair judgement
12. death
13. being confused
14. watching someone get enjoyment out of someone's sadness or discomfort
15. seeing people I care for get hurt
16. fake feelings
17. having nothing to do
18. not being able to fix something
19. not being able to cheer someone up
20. knowing someone's making a horrible mistake
21. wondering if I really care
22. fighting
23. things that are broken
24. things that remind me of things I don't want to remember
25. mosquitoes

75 things that make me happy

1. smiles


2. tulips


3. music


4. friends


5. shows


6. sunshine


7. cookie dough


8. family


9. clouds


10. birds


11. sleeping outside


12. green grass


13. movie nights


14. wildflowers


15. staying up all night


16. stars


17. tents


18. spell check


19. swings


20. people I don't know (sometimes)


21. rain (sometimes)


22. <3


23. being outside


24. being inside


25. swimming


26. the perks of being a wallflower


27. four wheelers/dirt bikes (sometimes)


28. going on walks


29. juno


30. my ipod


31. people I love


32. animals


33. the sky


34. talking about something meaningful with someone I actually don't know that well


35. doing absolutely nothing during class


36. randomly breaking into song


37. being able to trust someone


38. being trusted by someone


39. getting new music


40. cute t-shirts


41. inside jokes


42. having money in my itunes account


43. seeing someone else is happy


44. knowing someone cares


45. being surprised


46. meeting new people


47. silence


48. hide-and-go-seek


49. darkness


50. being able to confide in someone


51. having someone confide in me


52. colors


53. old pictures


54. new pictures


55. good photography


56. looking at random art projects during study hall


57. laughter


58. knowing some people aren't that different after all


59. being content


60. funny youtube videos


61. tictacs


62. canoes/kayaks


63. "falling out" of canoes/kayaks


64. camping


65. math (sometimes)


66. computers


67. reading


68. law and order


69. song lyrics


70. other countries


71. not worrying


72. kate nash


73. regina spektor


74. other languages


75. love

The way we were.

I don't know how it happened, but this year, we got really close.
We hadn't been much more than "close" aquaitances before then, but something clicked.
I loved how fun you were to be around.
You made me smile.
You were funny.
You were fun to be around.
You would laugh with me.
We had all kinds of inside jokes.
People seemed to see us as inseperable.
It was a blast.
Lately, things have been different.
You don't see me in the same way anymore.
It seems everyone is mad at me for "changing", but they expect me to change myself into exactly what they want me to be. Now, the things about me that haven't changed, is what seems to both you.

But the truth is, although you treat me differently, I still see you as the same you were at the beggining of the year.
When you come to mind.
I still see the girl that makes me smile.
I still see the girl that makes me laugh.
I still see the girl that I share my jokes with.
I still see you. The way I know you. The way I knew you.
I would still trust my secrets with you.
I would still keep your secrets to yourself.
Even if you don't want things like that.

Don't think I can't tell what's happening.
I can see it through your actions, through your harsh words.
Strangely, I still see you no differently.
I still see you the way I wish things were.
I still see tyou the way I hope things will go back to.

people aren't always as they appear

How do you look at the people around you?
Do you judge them for how they appear?

Looks can be misleading.

Can someone really look mean?
Can someone really look nice?
Can someone really look smart?
Can someone really look irresponsible?

You may think so.
That would be a stereotype.

That person is wearing glasses, they must be smart.
That person is wearing tight pants, they must enjoy skateboarding.
That person isn't smiling, they must be a sad/angry person.
That person is laughing, they must be nice.
That person is sitting alone, they must not have friends.
That person is talking to him, they must be the same.
That person listens to a certain type of music, they must only hang out with those kinds of people.

Why do we stereotype?
Where do we end up?

That person won't want to talk to someone like me... I'll give them their space.
That person looks different than me... I'll just ignore them.
That person is really "insert stereotype"... lololol.

That person you're stereotyping, may be nothing like what you see them as.
That person you're stereotyping, may be exactly like what you see them as.
That person you're stereotyping, may have the potential to become your friend.
That person you're stereotyping, may have the potential to become your enemy.
That person you're stereotyping, may become only an acquaintance.
That person you're stereotyping, may become your closest friend.
That person you're stereotyping, may never see you again.
That person you're stereotyping, may turn out being everywhere.

It's hard not to place stereotypes on people.
That's why adults make such a big deal about first impressions.
...oops, I guess that was a stereotype.

Say hi to the new kid in your math class.
Wave at an old acquaintance.
Start up a conversation with that one kid you think you know, but have never really talked to.
Don't judge people before you know them.

Appearances can be deceiving.
Don't let yourself be the one who is deceived.