I used to always hold my tongue in a lot of situations. I was the quiet, shy kid that people knew but didn't really know. I used to not talk even when I wanted to due to social anxiety but as time went by I started to realize how important speaking my mind is, especially with family and friends. It took me a long time to get to where I am now but now I freely speak my mind around others even when it isn't to their liking. I started doing this because it shows me who the real me is instead of just keeping to myself. however, I still do think before I speak a lot and when the time calls, I do hold my tongue but Whenever I get a chance to express how I feel about something, I don't dodge the question. confrontations are inevitable in life so why try and shrink back from it when you can overcome it. If you speak your mind you can either show other people your opinion and how it affects things, or you can learn from things you say that aren't totally accurate or correct. Speaking freely opens many doors that not speaking doesn't do, and I've learned that.

Joy is the ability to recognize and implement happiness and contentment, even in the midst of hardship. Choosing to be joyful takes an unprecedented amount of strength. As life throws us never-ending hardships and painful situations, it takes strength and a positive attitude to find joy in difficult situations. In July of 2021, my grandmother passed away after a long and hard battle with breast cancer. Throughout her more than 10-year battle, a joyful attitude remained at the center of her being. Every day, finding joy and happiness in difficult situations was her primary focus. In addition to exhibiting an attitude of joy, she also shared joy with others around her. As she endured countless doctor appointments, days and nights of sickness, and mental tiredness, she always found a way to share her contagious smile and laughter with those around her. She is the reason I look at life with strength and compassion. Similar to my grandmother, I live each day of my life trying to find joy in situations rather than focusing on the negative. I live each moment knowing that no matter the circumstances, I am strong enough and have the support of family and friends to overcome any situation. For me, living a joyful life is a daily choice that takes mental toughness, sensitivity, and a willingness to know that hardships are temporary and can be overcome with a joyful spirit.

Engage. Listen. Talk. Do something out of your comfort zone. With the various social issues that young and old are enduring, there's a great need in the world to help each other with mental health. As I have discovered in recent months, mental health should be considered as equally important as physical health. Far too often, the struggles and hardships that people go through are hidden. They are hidden behind baggy clothes. They are hidden inside a dark room and under blankets. They are hidden behind an emotionless face. To help people who struggle with mental health, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms of self-isolation and sadness. Instead of leaving people along in their isolation, engage with them. Make time to talk with them and ask them what they're feeling or what they're going through. Let them know that you are there to listen and are available anytime. Listen and talk with someone who is struggling. Giving someone the opportunity to talk helps them vocalize their thoughts and feeling. It helps to untie the mental knots and is similar to writing in a journal. As a listener, it is important to know that you do not have to be an expert and offer expert advice. You do not have to solve the problem. As a listener, it is important to come along side someone as a friend and offer empathy. Please note that it may be uncomfortable for some to seek people out and ask them how they are doing. The best way to help those who struggle with mental health issues is to engage. This action takes courage and practice but makes an immense difference in the lives of those who struggle with mental health.

To improve the lives of elderly people in my community, I volunteer to help them with yard maintenance at no charge. As people grow older, the physical demands of owning and maintaining a house can become overwhelming. Tasks such as mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and cleaning debris from a roof can be difficult for elderly people. Moreover, sometimes elderly people may not ask for help because it makes them feel like they are no longer self-sufficient. Rather than waiting for people to seek me out for assistance, I enjoy engaging with people and offering my services. My parents taught me at a young age to be pro-active and not reactive. They taught me the importance of being selfless and not being self-absorbed in my own little world. As such, I have grown up knowing that all people are intricately connected with one another. One small act of kindness that I can perform for someone has the potential to influence others. I don't serve others for recognition or money, but for the hope that these actions of kindness and service will be adopted by others.

Nobody is listening! The world is full of arguing, anger, and bitterness. As I walk the halls of my school, I am constantly met with attitudes and opinions that are close-minded. People have become so set in their ways and entrenched in the idea that their way to solve life's problems is the only way. The attitudes identified above are not only present in high school, but they are also very present on social media and in the news. Instead of actively listening to each other, people are quick to go on the offensive. I believe this approach is used because people are genuinely afraid of showing empathy and sensitivity to their neighbors. People want to have power. They want to feel like they have an upper hand against their foes. Perhaps the reason people feel like this is because of the never-ending hostility that is portrayed in politics. Elected officials seem incapable of working together to solve issues in a civilized manner. Too much emphasis is placed on winning an argument rather than sharing open and honest data and feedback. Rather than approaching a subject with pre-conceived notions, people need to engage with others using empathy, kindness, and patience. Empathy allows us to understand other peoples' feelings and situations. It allows us to feel what they feel by putting us in their shoes. Kindness can be associated with grace and is a universal emotion/method to extinguish hot tempers and anger. By remembering that people are unique and have distinct thoughts and feeling, patience should be used throughout all phases of communication. Without patience, there can be no compromise. By changing the attitude of our hearts and talking to people like friends instead of enemies, we can solve the world's problems in a respectful and loving way.