Labeling yourself is limiting yourself in two different ways.

The first, is when you label yourself candidly, no matter what, someone will disagree with you and will try categorize you. This means when that anything or anyone that has spoken out about something publicly while associating themselves with a certain affiliation, than anyone else in that group will automatically be held to that same statement, whether they agree to it or not. Just because so-and-so is apart of the same political party or religious group as me doesn’t mean that I believe or think the same as them.

But nowadays, no one cares to try to listen or understand differently. All it takes is for one radical person to speak ignorantly on a single topic, and the entire community associated with that person is punished for it. I can’t understand why people hold on to these obviously uninformed beliefs as some sort of ammunition to use in an argument against anyone who doesn’t agree with them. How am I supposed to be proud or encouraging of my organization when almost word I speak in support of it, can be twisted or turned into a completely different meaning? This is why people are so discouraged nowadays to fight for what they support and believe in simply because they are so afraid of judgment or criticism.

There are only two things that I openly identify myself as - Republican and Catholic. Both of these two titles hold a great personal challenge for me and this is why:

First of, I didn’t get my political party from my parents, I got it because I watch and stay up to date with current events.This is the party that I believe I'm best suited with and I'm proud of how interested I am with politics, considering my age.

Next, I grew up in Catholic school and churches my entire life, but that doesn’t mean I was sheltered by them. I have plenty family members and friends that are different religions and I’ve also been to other churches. I might not agree with everything that the Church believes in, but I know that this is the Church that I’m supposed to be apart of.

I do believe in the conservative ways, but that doesn’t mean I’m close-minded. Being a Republican doesn't mean that I can't take the liberal standpoint every now and then. (Right now I’m studying to be an English major, do you honestly think that that would even be a possibility if I wasn’t open-minded?)

At the age of 17, it was my choice and my choice only to be confirmed into the Catholic Church. Of course my parents encouraged it, but it was my decision. It was me who went to the classes every month, it was me who went on the retreats, and it was me who chose to commit my life to God.

I’m very informed on some issues and I pride myself for knowing more than the average first-time voter, but don’t expect me to be able to give detailed descriptions on policies or political figures and judge me when I can’t do it. This is why so many people my age aren't interested in politics because they assume that all it is is arguments and judging.

I am pro-life and I do believe that abortion is wrong. No, I do not think that anyone who has had one is going to hell or is damned. I, of course, would discourage anyone from having one and remind them that there are other options, but that is between them and God - no one else.

These are just a few of the things that make me the person that I am today. I don't follow the stereotypical ideas people have when thinking about these topics, and I'm okay with that. I don't agree with some of the people who are apart of my groups, but I'm okay with that. As long as I know what I believe and don't allow others to peer pressure me to think differently, I'll be okay.

Now, the second reason why labeling yourself is limiting yourself is because when you associate yourself with a single group you’re sometimes unknowingly cutting yourself off from any other possibilities. Just because you’re apart of one group doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to study what other groups have to offer. Just because I’m Catholic doesn’t mean I can’t study something like, oh, I don't know, Buddhism. Just because I’m a Republican doesn’t mean I can’t attend a Democratic Debate and listen to what they have to say. It is a dishonor to not allow yourself to study and learn what other groups in the world have to offer. There are so many things in the world that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn if I just kept my head down and didn’t explore. It's amazing what a little open mindedness and a bit of curiosity can do.

Don't label yourself. Yes, support what you believe in, but allow others to tell you why they believe in something different. Don't argue or get mad when someone disagrees with you, listen to what they have to say and try to see the world from their point of view. You might not ever be able to agree upon a common solution, but by analyzing how someone else thinks and trying to understand why, you're enlightening your mind in so many different ways. And through enlightenment, we find happiness. Isn't that the ultimate goal in life?