Let me start by saying I'm kind of the jealous type. Not going to lie, I'm pretty insecure despite brave fronts I put on, mostly so I don't have to always break down when I hear the words, "are you okay?" because that gets me. So, so hard, and so quickly, every damn time.

But I am forever indebted to my parents, because they raised me to believe I could do anything I set my mind to, or be whoever I wanted to be, and to have a heart filled with grace through the ups and the downs. With my feet planted firmly on the ground, and my head always lost somewhere up in the clouds, I've always just... known. Known that other people have ups and downs of their own, and that I must always take it upon myself to be supportive and encouraging of them.

Because who can it hurt? Nobody. And what damage can it do? None. So empowering others quickly and completely became one of the biggest parts of my personal development.

On a personal note, also, I've been struggling a lot recently with trying to get a sense of what I want to major in and exactly what I want to do with my life after I graduate college. And as far fetched as it seems, especially because I'm a freshman and still have seven semesters (or three and a half years) left of college, three and a half years goes a little too much faster than I'd like it to.

But the other day I finally found a future career that I'm stoked about trying to begin. I've decided, at least for now, that my goal is to become a prosecutor with a psychology and criminal justice background. And of course, when you have big, exciting news that you're happy about, you want to tell the people you love, right?

So I told my boyfriend over text, because that was the only way I could reach him at that moment. I sent him my explanation, expecting a "good job babe, I'm proud of you," type of response. Instead, I just got bombarded with questions about how many more years of school I would go through, followed eventually by the last two words I wanted to hear. "Ugh. Ok."

I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry over it. Partly because I was mad but more so because I was confused. If nothing else, it at least made me think. A lot. About a lot of things. How hard is it to encourage people? Why are empowering people so hard to come by?

I'm not sure. All I know is, if you're given the chance to support or encourage anyone, do it. The world could use fewer "ugh-okays" and a hell of a lot more "you rocked it today, y'knows."

It hurts nobody and does no damage.

Push people when they need pushed. Lift them when they fall. Carry them to the couch and cry together. Tell them how strong they are.

Please.