Growing up, my family wasn't very religious. It wasn't until middle school they decided to send me to a Serbian church camp over the summer. It was at this church camp where I got baptized and I've never regretted the decision.

My kuma's family bought me a red orthodox cross as a baptismal gift. I wore it a lot at first, but as the years went by I lost interest in wearing it.

At the start of the new year, I made the decision to wear it more often. Ever since, I've felt spiritually more connected to God. I look to him in times of need, like in situations I may need some encouragement to do the right thing.

Surprisingly, at first, I kinda regretted it. I kept getting into trouble and I thought it was God's way of punishing me for making wrong choices while representing Serbian orthodoxy through my cross. It wasn't until after a little bit of introspection I realized the trouble I got into wasn't God punishing me, it was me punishing myself.

If it wasn't for my cross, I would've never had that deep introspection about my choices. I admit, there are some days where I think my cross is giving me trouble, but it's silly to think an inanimate object is the source of my problems.

Honestly, I still forget to wear it sometimes but it's not on purpose. Sometimes I may not have a good day and I know conversely I can't blame it on not wearing my cross. What it does do for me though is remind me to be conscious during all of my decisions.