This I believe
I believe in being a dork
So, after 12 years in the grueling public education system, I’ve got it figured out; this whole “meaning of life” thing. It’s not about whom you know, who you don’t; who you hang out with or who you’re dating; what shirts you wear, what pants you shun. It’s about who you are. And that’s not just on the outside. It’s on the inside too.
I’ll admit it. I, like many other preteens, went through the “I only wear overpriced brand name t-shirts” phase, and later, the “I refuse to be seen in public with my mother” phase. But now, as a junior in high school, I would like to think that I have it (mostly) figured out. I have to be who I am. And who I am is not close to anyone I’ve ever met.
Five years of my life were dedicated to band, one of the classical “dork-tivities” in high school. I surrounded myself with music, instruments, performances, and marching until I was blue in the face. But guess what? I think some of the most valuable things I’ve learned and the most wonderful people I’ve met came to me through this ‘dork-tivity’. I learned respect, for myself and others; our band director made sure of it. I learned how to keep time, not only in music, but also in life. I learned how to put up with those I love, and those I may not love quite as much, for 72 hours straight.
Yes, I am a full-blown dork. Not only do I participate in band, I am on the Forensics team, I am an over-aged Girl Scout, and I read John Grisham and Dan Brown when I have free time in class, all considered dork-tastic activities. But, after I got over worrying about what the girl who sits next to me in my class thinks (who by the way, still wears brand name t-shirts), I realized something: I am only doing what’s right for me. I am embracing myself, not letting the typical high school rebel-without-a-cause mentality get to me: I do what will improve my life now, as well as the future. I look ahead, gauging how my actions now will affect me in my years to come, how they will shape me and possibly, have me judged again. But, you know what? I don’t care. If being a conscious, caring, responsible, but fun person is considered being a dork, then bring it on! I am the biggest dork of them all.