"How to Make and Keep Friends: Tips for Teens on Life and Social Success" by Donna Shea and Nadine Briggs is the book I got on my 13th birthday from my mom. Not ideal to hear, coming from my socially awkward self, who still only has about three friends, two of whom I am related to. I'm kidding,this is not the book I would have everyone read; though it was an interesting one. Throughout my upbringing of reading, which only took place on July 11, 2021, it's funny how a delayed flight in Los Angeles on a stormy night came to be my love for books and poetry. "The Comfort Book" by Matt Haig This book has brought me so much comfort, and I still read it when I get anxious and stressed. This book is a collection of stories Matt Haig has gone through in his life and how he’s overcome the issues. His take on life and how strong you are for living and making it as far as you have I would recommend this book to everyone because it is an eye-opener to the world out there. I do have two other books because I couldn’t choose one. "i am made of water of course i am emotional" one of my favorite quotes, which I can wholeheartedly say I recommend with every fiber of my being. "The Sun and Her Flowers" by Rupi Kaur This book goes through the stages of a flower, from "wilting" to "blooming." This book took me through every emotion. It is the story of her life as an immigrant and the trauma she has gone through. Her touch on femininity, loss, love, and trauma really helped me overcome the battles I faced at the time. Lastly, my therapist recommended a book I read, which I ordered right away, though I didn’t read it until a year later. While I was struggling with my mental health and my body image, this book saved me. "Just like we need to redefine beauty in ways that are better for our health, we need to redefine health in ways that have nothing to do with beauty." is my favorite quote from "More Than a Body" by Dr. Lexie Kite and Dr. Lindsay Kite. Everyone should read this book, but especially women who are faced with our everyday societal pressure.

Diversity is a topic I have heard a lot about over the years. Initially, I thought it was just referring to the differences between people. It was not until I was older and experienced difficulty in my own life, that I realized diversity is so much more. Growing up, people would tell me how lucky I am. I was told by my classmates that I was privileged and rich. All they saw was our big house and the “nice things” I had. What they did not see was why I had those “nice things”. They were tangible substitutes for apologies I never got. They did not see the broken home I was living in centered around hiding an addiction. It was not until I was looking at addiction eye to eye that I realized what a monster it truly was. The truth was, my dad was my hero, was a good man, and I loved him. He worked hard for what he had and was faced with relentless stress. In time he turned to substances to help with it and my father became an addict. I remember the slurred words and screams that would echo throughout the house. Thinking about it all still fills my nose with the stench of Grey Goose Vodka. When the final straw came, my mother made the decision that it was unsafe to live with him because he was not getting the help he truly needed. My mom, brother and I left him and moved to Silverton. Months later, after seeking help, he moved back in. He turned back into my dad, the hero I knew. He made a promise to us to never jeopardize our safety again. He struggles to keep that promise, but he tries. Our family no longer has the big house or all the “nice things”, but are happy with a less stressful life. My diversity and life struggles are not something you can see. Diversity is not something that should be judged or used to divide people. To me, the meaning of diversity now includes life experiences that we can not see and has the opportunity to be used to unify people. Life experiences change how you interact with people and how you choose to live your life. After going through this experience, I hope to spread my diversity and awareness on campus by not judging others based on what I see and continuing to show my peers that sobriety is fun. Substances are not needed to truly enjoy yourself. You never know what someone is going through, so we should be kind and inclusive of all people. Addiction is something not everyone will face, but those that do should not be treated as a bad person. Your mistakes do not define you. Diversity is something that sets us apart from one another, yet can bring us closer as people. I plan to give back to my community by sharing my experiences and help show others they are not alone. Too many times people who struggle with addiction are treated like criminals; and instead of having the resources needed to help them make the change in life, they are thrown to the streets. According to ‘New Direction for Women’ “About 18% of recovering alcoholics were able to abstain from drinking completely one year later.” I want to help preach the power of sobriety and the importance of putting your safety and wellbeing first. The world we live in is so violent and it can help stop with you.