Taking criticism has never been my strong suit. I know I have the right to speak my mind, but as soon as someone expresses their right to argue against me, things get a little weird. But in my short two months at college, I have learned so much about being independent and also about caring less about what others think of me. I'm my own person with opinions that other people may not agree with, and that's fine.

An opposition is normal, people aren't all the same.

I spent a lot of time trying to make people like me and it contributed to my silence on issues that need to be vocalized. So I just want to say that I'm done doing that. Being liked is nice and all, but when it comes at the cost of losing a part of what makes me, me, it's not worth it.

I also noticed that being liked does not exactly equal being respected. I know people that probably like me as a person but don't respect me enough to give me the benefit of the doubt. They don't even seem to respect me enough to give my sentiments a try. To these people, my beliefs mean nothing because they are not their beliefs. I pity these people and I definitely don't yearn to be liked by them anymore.

Excuse my language, but "fuck" being liked.

It means nothing if you can't be yourself in the end. What I yearn for is to be respected and even if that doesn't happen, I yearn to speak my truth as often and as freely as I can. I've thought about this a lot, and I'm tired of being silent on things that fire up my soul.

Being passionate about something and caring about something aren't bad things. Don't let anyone ever tell you that it is.

Your passions and your ideas are what make you who you are. I'm a strong believer in passion's ability to bring about happiness.

In third grade, I learned the phrase, "the pen is mightier than the sword." It's a bit corny, but I do believe in the power of words and their ability to shape a message for better or for worse. I think using your words and letting them reinforce your actions or vice versa is extremely important.

So from now on,

I'm going to speak my mind. I am going to be honest. Some of the people that have produced the most change in this world have had opinions that differed from the norm. So why be afraid of it?

I will not be afraid of my passions and I'm going to try my hardest to pursue and find all the passions I may have in this world. I want to make a difference and that involves finding myself and doing everything I can to show people how I see the world.

I will be who I was born to be. I will speak and act on my truth...

And just be unapologetically myself because it's the only way to truly live.