We always think to ourselves, “ oh that will never happen to me” or “ I wouldn't be stupid enough to be in that situation”….until it does happen and we are in that situation. Growing up, I was always taught pregnant teenagers are irresponsible, poor people just need to work harder, and drug addicts are bad people that can’t be trusted. I was always taught that these things would never become my future and would never happen to me. I was so naive to think these thoughts in high school, but I have come to the realization, seeing it happen to many of my friends, that they easily could. We, as Americans, are known as one of the wealthiest and successful countries in the world, yet 14.5 percent, that’s over 45 million people, live in poverty. Do you think that 45 million people are just lazy and stupid? No. As you get older, you soon realize that alternative realities can easily become yours in the blink of an eye…

College has easily shown me this in the few 12 weeks I have been here. I have seen countless people begging for swipes because they can’t afford lunch for the day, or girls at Walgreens in the morning buying multiple Plan B pills as they say for “ future safety.” At first, I thought, “wow these girls are irresponsible and reckless, why would they not just use protection?” But it isn't always that easy. Situations happen, especially in college, that make us do things we never thought we would. Kids die daily from drug overdose and the first thing the families always say is, “ I just never thought it would be my baby.” The world becomes so much more real and problems you never thought you would have to face become daily oppositions. We have to realize, that even though we thought we would never be in certain situations, odds are we might be or might know someone who will be there.

This article was not meant just to scare high schoolers about the future or give college students the right to think some of these things are okay, but instead I wrote it to bring awareness. I want to bring awareness to the girl who is pregnant, or the guy with drug problems, or really anyone else who is struggling that it’s okay. I am very aware now that you aren't just a stupid, dumb teenager or a broke old homeless guy, but that you are a real person.

You didn't ask for these things, they just somehow happened along the way. I get it. I want you to know that I still respect you for who you are and I care for you. I also want to bring awareness to something we all already know which is that life is hard. We never get breaks in this life and sometimes it seems like as soon as one problem ends, another arises. Everyone is or has gone through a difficult situation in their lives and that’s what we need to realize as we go about our day.We have to stop judging others so aggressively. Spread kindness and love to others. Accept people for who they are.

You will realize when it happens to you, that sometimes life will throw you curveballs you never expected, and the only way to get through it is to keep moving forward. Be strong and remember no matter what you are going through, that you are loved and cared about and it’s going to be okay. Someone wise once said, “We are in this world but not of it.” So do not let the little things, or the big ones run your life. Sometimes it’s okay not to be okay.