Words will never be able to accurately describe this camp experience of mine.
I got to meet new people and create stronger bonds with people I already knew.
I got to open up and talk about myself to people I never thought would understand or accept me.
I got to give many hugs.
I got to comfort many people.
I got to hear the stories of many others and tell my own story.
I got to share.
I got to eat with others, sleep in the same room as others, and do activities with others.
I got to see that I am a beautiful, kind-hearted person who shouldn't be afraid of rejection.
I got to see many beautiful people.
I got to take risks.
I got to heal.
I just want you all to know that you are beautiful people who shouldn't feel like you have to be what you know you're not.
I want you all to know that I don't care if you're black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, Christian, gay, lesbian, bi, disabled, or anything like that. I love you, and I care. If you ever need me, I'm going to be here.
I want you all to know that you don't need to be afraid.
I want you all to know that you can stand tall. That you can be bold. That you can be yourself, and there will be people who love you.
I want to share something I told the entire camp group last night.
I got to meet new people and create stronger bonds with people I already knew.
I got to open up and talk about myself to people I never thought would understand or accept me.
I got to give many hugs.
I got to comfort many people.
I got to hear the stories of many others and tell my own story.
I got to share.
I got to eat with others, sleep in the same room as others, and do activities with others.
I got to see that I am a beautiful, kind-hearted person who shouldn't be afraid of rejection.
I got to see many beautiful people.
I got to take risks.
I got to heal.
I just want you all to know that you are beautiful people who shouldn't feel like you have to be what you know you're not.
I want you all to know that I don't care if you're black, white, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, Christian, gay, lesbian, bi, disabled, or anything like that. I love you, and I care. If you ever need me, I'm going to be here.
I want you all to know that you don't need to be afraid.
I want you all to know that you can stand tall. That you can be bold. That you can be yourself, and there will be people who love you.
I want to share something I told the entire camp group last night.
Me Being Uncharacteristically Bold
I just want to say that I'm glad that I came here and you all came here because you all are wonderful people. Since the first day, I've wondered if I have enough love in my heart for ninety people, because you all need it and you all deserve it.
It's true, and not just of the people who went to camp with me.
It's true of everyone.
We need someone to understand us.
We need someone to listen to us.
We need someone to help us.
We need someone to encourage us.
We need someone to give us a hug every once in a while.
We need someone to accept us.
We need someone to lend us their shoulder to cry on.
We all need that.
I was able to breathe easier in this environment because it took away all the pressures and the like that come with school, but I'm hoping that once Tuesday rolls around, I'll be able to come out of my shell in front of everyone and have the ability to take the actions that back up my morals.
I'm hoping that the next time I hear this song, I can think about all the times I've 'danced' instead of 'sitting it out'. I think that I'm always going to cry when I hear this song, but maybe in the future it'll be because of positive things instead of negative.
One of the camp counselors said something to me that really strikes me now.
It's true of everyone.
We need someone to understand us.
We need someone to listen to us.
We need someone to help us.
We need someone to encourage us.
We need someone to give us a hug every once in a while.
We need someone to accept us.
We need someone to lend us their shoulder to cry on.
We all need that.
I was able to breathe easier in this environment because it took away all the pressures and the like that come with school, but I'm hoping that once Tuesday rolls around, I'll be able to come out of my shell in front of everyone and have the ability to take the actions that back up my morals.
I'm hoping that the next time I hear this song, I can think about all the times I've 'danced' instead of 'sitting it out'. I think that I'm always going to cry when I hear this song, but maybe in the future it'll be because of positive things instead of negative.
One of the camp counselors said something to me that really strikes me now.
One of the camp counselors
You shouldn't feel like you're not good enough, because you are good enough. If someone makes you feel like you're not good enough, then they're jealous and you are good.
That's not just true of me.
That's true of you too.
I got to see people that I share classes with in a new light. It's so amazing, what you see when you take a step back and look at someone as an individual human being instead of just another person that you see walking past you.
I don't think anyone will be able to fully comprehend all the pain people are feeling right now until they open up to others and come by things honestly. People are hurting right now because of stereotypes society sets for us. Guys, we do that to each other! We're responsible for the pain of others! I don't know about you, but I feel just awful knowing that.
The only way we will ever be able to fix this is if we own up to our pain, our hurt, and our regret and try to put it to rest.
I got quite a few apologies within the last few days, and that made me feel really good because that just tells me that everyone there really understood what this camp was trying to teach us.
I gave a few apologies myself, and now that I have done that, I can try to heal my wounded heart.
But it will leave a scar, and every time I look at it, every time I think about the situation that I was wrong about, I'll remember what I have learned.
I'm starting to learn that everyone makes mistakes, and that to think I can't or shouldn't is just stupid.
That's true of you too.
I got to see people that I share classes with in a new light. It's so amazing, what you see when you take a step back and look at someone as an individual human being instead of just another person that you see walking past you.
I don't think anyone will be able to fully comprehend all the pain people are feeling right now until they open up to others and come by things honestly. People are hurting right now because of stereotypes society sets for us. Guys, we do that to each other! We're responsible for the pain of others! I don't know about you, but I feel just awful knowing that.
The only way we will ever be able to fix this is if we own up to our pain, our hurt, and our regret and try to put it to rest.
I got quite a few apologies within the last few days, and that made me feel really good because that just tells me that everyone there really understood what this camp was trying to teach us.
I gave a few apologies myself, and now that I have done that, I can try to heal my wounded heart.
But it will leave a scar, and every time I look at it, every time I think about the situation that I was wrong about, I'll remember what I have learned.
I'm starting to learn that everyone makes mistakes, and that to think I can't or shouldn't is just stupid.
The Director
I tell my son this all the time, because he's so hard on himself, "Honey, if you were perfect, you would already be in Heaven. Your job on Earth would already be done."
So guys, you aren't expected to be perfect, but you should try your very hardest to be the best you you can be.
I know this, but it's still so hard for me to take certain risks.
I hope that changes.
Change can come, and it all starts with you, with us.
Can you see a world where everyone loves each other?
Where differences are celebrated?
Where stereotypes are nonexistent?
Where no one feels ugly?
Where everyone danced with each other?
Where everyone cheers each other on?
Where everyone hugs everyone else?
I got to see this world, guys.
I got to see a tiny glimpse of this world up in the secluded forests of Prescott, Arizona, and I loved what I saw.
If we all could just learn to deal with each other's differences in a peaceful way, that world could exist.
So what I would like you all to do if you are so inclined is to step outside yourself and take a look at the people around you.
Try to focus on the positives instead of the negatives and celebrate the differences of others rather than look down on them.
Try to talk to many different people with many different cultural background and many different situations.
Try to be honest about your hurt and anger instead of letting it build inside you.
If you're shy, try to come out of your shell and let people see who you are. You have many things to contribute to society.
Be loving.
Be strong.
Be caring.
Be kind.
Be considerate.
Be friendly.
Be the best person you can be.
But most importantly...
Be happy.
TL;DR
I had a very good time and I'm hoping to take what I have learned and apply it to my every day life.
Thank you guys for reading this.
=D
I know this, but it's still so hard for me to take certain risks.
I hope that changes.
Change can come, and it all starts with you, with us.
Can you see a world where everyone loves each other?
Where differences are celebrated?
Where stereotypes are nonexistent?
Where no one feels ugly?
Where everyone danced with each other?
Where everyone cheers each other on?
Where everyone hugs everyone else?
I got to see this world, guys.
I got to see a tiny glimpse of this world up in the secluded forests of Prescott, Arizona, and I loved what I saw.
If we all could just learn to deal with each other's differences in a peaceful way, that world could exist.
So what I would like you all to do if you are so inclined is to step outside yourself and take a look at the people around you.
Try to focus on the positives instead of the negatives and celebrate the differences of others rather than look down on them.
Try to talk to many different people with many different cultural background and many different situations.
Try to be honest about your hurt and anger instead of letting it build inside you.
If you're shy, try to come out of your shell and let people see who you are. You have many things to contribute to society.
Be loving.
Be strong.
Be caring.
Be kind.
Be considerate.
Be friendly.
Be the best person you can be.
But most importantly...
Be happy.
TL;DR
I had a very good time and I'm hoping to take what I have learned and apply it to my every day life.
Thank you guys for reading this.
=D
