Reading the word “popular," my mind immediately takes me back to the days of smelly hallways, average lunch meals, waking up a few minutes earlier than normal to primp for the cute boy in your first period class, and sadly, it takes me back to the shallow categories that somehow seem to reach every high school. For some this phase of life was a blast. For some that word probably makes you want to throw up. And for some, it was both a pleasant and awful combination of both. While this phase of life brings on the struggles of friend groups, applying to colleges, and for heaven sakes just surviving through the day without hearing a hurtful word, it also taught me the true meaning of what it means to be popular.
I am pretty sure every Hollywood film portrayed the popular crowd to be the athletes, maybe those who were really involved in a certain club, and those who had the most sitting around them at the lunch table. To be completely honest, so many of those who were in the category of “popular” have probably never felt more insecure or alone. Being popular is not about others recognizing your name because maybe your family is well known throughout the town, or maybe because you were the captain of a high school sport’s team. These things are only a mere category of what others may associate you with. Being popular is about who people know you as, instead of what they know to associate you with. I challenge you to associate yourself with things that people will remember long after you throw that tassel up into the air on a spring day and move on to a new phase in life.
This brings me to my next question, how will others remember you? If you take a minute to reflect, are your actions portraying positivity in an environment where maybe that isn’t “cool” (kindness never goes out of style people let me just say that). Strive to be kind to others. Strive to be a good friend to those who maybe are outside of your friend group. Ladies, do you want to be beautiful? Be humble. Remember that looks will surely fade, but a pretty heart is truly worth remembering. Gentleman, if you want to prove yourself a true man, be chivalrous at all times. Spoiler alert, girls with pretty hearts do not go for jerks. Above all, don’t think of the word “popular” as being well known for a reason that truly will not matter in the long run. Associate this word with kind actions, polite words, and a humble attitude. Only then will you be popular for things that will always be “cool”. Instead of associating yourself with a specific crowd, think about how others are going to remember you. Be remembered for having enthusiasm. Be remembered for being encouraging. Be remembered for being a friend to everyone both inside and outside your friend group. Popular means to be thought of in favor; what do people favor you for? I challenge you to answer this question using characteristics of the heart, instead of characteristics of a category.