This is it, guys. This is my final article for Odyssey. I've spent a year pouring every thought, opinion, and word into each and every article I have written, and now I'm ready to move on to bigger and better things. That's not to say that writing for this site wasn't a big thing. I think for me, it was more of a step in the right direction, whichever direction that may be. I've learned a whole lot since I've started writing for Odyssey. Lessons that I am now going to share with you all.

1. It's okay to disagree.

DIsagreement is the pinnacle of every conversation out there. If we just agreed with each other about everything, it would be a very boring world. Maybe you've been taught something at a very young age that you don't necessarily agree with now, and that's completely okay. As we grow up, we learn to develop our own ideas and thoughts, and maybe even break away from things our parents and teachers taught us when we were younger. That's how we develop our own worldview.

2. Never keep quiet.

There's a lot of injustice going on in the world today, and I've learned that doing absolutely nothing about it will solve nothing. Instead, I have learned that speaking up about an injustice will get the conversation going. The key to starting change is to get a dialogue going, so start talking.

3. Listen to everyone, no matter how ignorant.

People have different opinions about different issues. Sometimes, people's opinions may seem ignorant or just plain rude, but it's important to listen to them so you know how to respond. Sure, it may be infuriating to listen to them, but we believe in free speech in this country. Believe it or not, what they have to say is just as valuable as what you have to say. So listen, and then respond accordingly.

4. Don't let people put you in a box.

It seems that everything in our society nowadays has to fit in this neat little box with a bow-on-top. If we try to deviate to something that's outside of this box, we are met with resistance and judgment. However, there is so much more outside of this box, and if people try to force you back in, force yourself out. You don't have to go along with something just because everyone else is doing it. Be true to yourself, and you will be happier in the end.

5. Live in the now.

Everyone is too focused nowadays on the next step and what the future holds. But, what ever happened to living in the moment? What happened to enjoying what we have now? We can still do that if everyone just took a step back and relaxed. If we all did this, we would be less stressed, and less worried about what the next day would bring.

I wouldn't say that I am now a changed person after my year with Odyssey, but I would consider myself more aware than ever before. I notice a lot of things that I probably wouldn't have noticed before. I went from ignoring the news to listening in and thinking, "Hey, I can write something about that." That doesn't mean that you need to be a journalist in order to pay attention. Everyone should be paying attention. Listen, speak up, be heard.