Pushing Yourself

What happens when you do something new? What happens when you don’t fit in? A few things. Number one is that a mean group of kids might torture you saying stuff like, “You’re such a loser!” It makes you feel really bad. But it shouldn’t stop you from doing what you love. I believe in integrity. Everyone should stick to their beliefs. Everyone should do what they want to do. No matter what someone says, no matter what someone does, just be yourself.

In 3rd grade, I started playing little league baseball. I enjoyed it, but when the 6th grade season came, I had to make a decision. Did I want to play baseball, or not? I got frustrated when I didn’t have much time to give an answer. My brain felt as big as a gorilla. I got a headache. Eventually, I came to a decision. My mom was waiting. I said, “I don’t want to play.” At that point, I realized baseball wasn’t my thing. Well, playing it wasn’t. But I still do like watching the MLB on TV and umpiring little league. My dad then called. He got a bit angry. We got over it, though. On the bright side, I started playing golf in 3rd or 4th grade. I think I’m sticking with this sport. It’s almost too late to turn back now, now that I’m in 7th grade. At my age, kids usually stick to one or two sports and get really good at them. For me, it isn’t baseball. But whether the sport you play is baseball or football, golf or soccer, hockey or tennis, lacrosse or track, or anything else, just do it. And it’s not just about sports, it’s about everything. Do what you want to do. Stick to your beliefs.

When the spring of 6th grade came, I heard the kids asking “Are you playing baseball?” I knew it was coming. Spring at last. I smelt it. Sweat. It was that time of year. Anyway, when they asked me, I said, “No. I play golf now.” In this case, the mean kid trying to be rude would say, “That is so lame.” When your best friend comes up to you, he’d say, “That’s cool.” Usually, best friends are people you trust. They support you. But how do you know if they mean what they’re saying. Usually by their attitude or facial expressions. I learned a trick about lying a long time ago. If someone is talking to you and rolls or flicks his/her eyes to the right, they’re lying. The bad thing about telling about this is that you will never be able to lie to that person again, unless they forget. But anyway, you can also tell if someone is lying if you know them well. For example, if someone hates hockey and says that it is his/her favorite sport, you know something’s up.

I believe in integrity. Everyone should do what they want. A lot of people are really competitive with baseball. I’m not. I don’t even play. I really don’t care anymore. I play golf. That is a sport that fewer kids like. I am one of them. Another thing is that doing something different makes you unique. The world would be boring if everyone was the same. You know what I mean, right? Do you want to look at a world that everyone is the same? You’d get bored of it!

The lesson I’m trying to teach is being yourself. Don’t listen to the kids that don’t like you. Just ignore them. They’re trying to annoy you. Everyone is unique. Everyone is different. There are groups of people by similarities. There are also differences. People are different in many ways. You really don’t notice most of the differences. There are more differences that you can’t see than you can. That is why the world is unique. Siblings are similar, but friends are different. You don’t always need to fit in. Sometimes I fit in, and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I don’t even notice when I fit in or I don’t. If bad things happen every day and you can’t take it, that’s another story. Otherwise, be yourself. Be yourself, change yourself, exaggerate yourself, and be integrative to yourself. I believe in integrity. And you should believe in it, too.