Just Do You!

Hello Superstars,

   Today, I am going to hit on subject that you will find me discuss a lot in the future: Doing What Makes You Happy. Doing what makes you happy is the best way to gain confidence and to become an overall happy person. Just like gaining confidence, doing what makes you happy is easier said than done. I would like to share with you the first time I did something to make ME happy, and it was not easy.

   As I explained before, the past school year was a difficult one for me. I was going through stress with a science class and worrying about my health. On top of that, I had join my school's JROTC Armed Drill Team. When I signed up for the team, I thought I was making a good decision. There were very few girls on the team, so I thought I could bring some Girl Power. 

  If you are not familiar with Armed Drill Team, it is a JROTC extracurricular activity that focuses on using rifles while executing drills and exhibitions (fancy word for the rifle spinning routines). It took a lot of hard work for me to learn the drills and simple spinning techniques, and eventually I did. But I did not ever feel I was good enough. The team captain was a senior who felt like he was entitled and could talk down to anyone. I soon became a victim of his harsh words and rude looks. Not to mention, I was already having a hard time with my JROTC Army Instructor. He knew my father, also a fellow retired Army man. I felt since he had a bond with my father and knew I came from a military household I could take the heat he was giving me. But I couldn't.

  I'm a girl, and at the time I was holding a lot of stuff in. I was worried and stressed out of my mind. I felt I was not good enough because no one was giving encouragement or just saying, "Good job." It was not like I needed someone bowing down to me every five seconds. I just wanting to hear a few nice words like any human would to keep going.

A few times I would get the idea of quitting. I have never been a quitter and did not want to become one. I thought if I did not quit, then the team would just give me harder time. One day, it struck me that if I did not quit the team I would be quitting on my happiness.

 My happiness is probably the most important thing to me. I was in a dark place for a large part of my life. During that time I was gaining the tad bit of happiness, but I felt at every practice I was losing more than I was gaining.

 One morning before school, I gained the courage to ask my Army Instructor if I could not quit the Armed Drill Team but join the Academic Team, a team that was much more organized and valued teamwork. To my surprise, he agreed to it and actually admitted I was good member of the team.

 With the weight of the Armed Drill Team lifted off my shoulders, my happiness was returning. I was happy, renewed, and proud of myself for having the courage to do something for my happiness. Joining the Academic Team was a great decision, since I am a nerd. Plus, I had the chance of meeting great people. I also had more time in schedule, so I started tutoring elementary children after school. Seeing the smiles and hearing the laughter of the children made me even more happy. And by then end of the school, I had formed a strong bond with my Army Instructor. He is now on my list of the greatest men I know.

In conclusion Superstars, if something is bothering you and you have the opportunity to change it, then change it. There is only one you, and this is your time to be selfish. Focus on yourself and your HAPPINESS. Trust me, it will be the greatest decision you will ever make. Do what makes You happy. Basically just do you, Superstars.

                                    Find Your Happiness,

                                              Sarah E.