I'm 20 years old. A 20-year-old who sleeps with her Frozen night light and stuffed animals. I'm also a 20-year-old who has strong moral integrity and values, and is determined to use my creativity to make the world a better place.

I'm fine with being called "childlike," "innocent," or even "silly," but the other day someone said something that really got my blood boiling. I was asked if my parents failed to educate me, or expose me to the world, as a child. I don't know exactly what made them ask me this, but I won't forget how it made me feel.Two years ago, I moved 1,700 miles away from home to a college where I knew noone. I quickly learned new things about myself, dealt with some disappointment, and sometimes felt misunderstood. I don't share my emotions with many people, so few people are aware of how much I've learned about myself and the world these past two years.

When I express myself in a group setting, I often come off as "cute," or "goofy," because I like to make jokes and lighten the mood. I don't share my deepest emotions or opinions right away, and people need to prove that they're trustworthy before I do.

I don't constantly complain about the harsh realities of the world, because it's not who I am. I like to focus on the good that the world does have to offer, and focus on bettering myself. Noone can see what goes on inside my head, but if they could, they'd know there's ideas whirring around constantly. Ideas of ways I could help myself or others.

I truly don't understand why someone being optimistic is a bad thing, either. God forbid I say something that makes everyone laugh! Or God forbid I laugh at myself when I make a mistake! It might not be what other people would do, but I'm me, not other people.

To others out there who don't get taken seriously by your peers because you don't seem "adult" enough, or too ignorant of the "real world," know that the world needs people like you. People who don't blend in with the other "adults" just to blend in. People who don't let the world change them..they change the world!

Want to change the world? Have a childlike wonder about it.