My experience with smartphones has been more of an outside one compared to most. Whereas I don't personally own one, I have watched others that do have them, such as family, friends, and random people on the street. My conclusion, after watching people for years, is that most people shouldn't have smartphones, or that they should not go on them as much as they do. Smartphones can change a whole person's personality, and I know that from first-hand experience. To explain, back in my 6th grade, I had a new girl come into my class, a cute little girl who loved to talk to others and play outside. Her name was Tiffany. We became fast friends, and fortunately for us, we figured out within the week that she actually lived down the street from me at the time, and it was about a 5-minute walk in between our houses. We became bus buddies and would sit by each other in the back seat of the bus, talking about life, books, fun crafts, and things to do. I would go over to her house almost every day and remember playing with dyed-water balloons, eating lots of food, and all-around playing like little kids. Life was fun then as she was my best friend, and we had so much fun together. Then it all changed when her mother bought her her first phone, a smartphone to be exact. Tiffany started being on her phone 24/7, would start getting in trouble for being on it in class, and her personality just completely changed. She became obsessed with her phone, and I soon learned that my best friend wasn't going to be the girl I was used to her being. When I went over to her house, it wasn't running around playing, it was sitting on the couch watching videos on her phone. Of course, me being in 6th grade, I had also wanted a phone and would beg for one every year. But when Tiffany got hers, and I saw how she changed, that was the start of when I started to not want one myself. I was scared of changing myself, and even though I would tell myself that "No, I wouldn't change, I'm better than that", I was still scared. During this time, that was when almost all students were getting phones too, so I had to personally watch everyone's personality change. It was a sad and lonely time then because a type of "gap" was formed between us. I couldn't relate as much to them, as I didn't have the things they did, and grew up quite different. There was nothing I could do except to just continue being myself, and I hated it for a long time. Sadly, Tiffany is now a high school dropout who is addicted to drugs. Today, as a high school senior, I am grateful that my parents never got me a smartphone, and that my love and adoration for books still remains. If I had had a smartphone, I wouldn't be as book smart as I am today, and I know for a fact my personality would be completely different. Having a smartphone limits a person's functions, and makes them less receptive to things. It is very heartbreaking today to watch my fellow peers pour their entire souls into their phones, and then having to watch them act completely helpless when it gets taken away, and like they don't know what to do with their lives. The whole world is out there, to explore it's sad to watch people ignore it for a smartphone.

When I was 8 years old, I was baptized and had my first Holy Communion at my community's small St. Jude Catholic Church. I had both done, instead of being Baptized as a baby, because I wasn't part of the church until my stepmother came into my life, something that I am extremely grateful for. I remember this awesome, inspiring feeling that came into me afterward, and this is when I really remember letting Jesus come into my life and being and be a major part of it. I am 17 years old, and since that amazing day, I pray almost daily asking for forgiveness, guidance, love, and support, to help others, etc... I talk to Jesus all the time, just telling Him about my day, or if I just need to let some feelings out, as if He is standing in person by me all the time. I love finding little things that let me realize that He is guiding me and giving me strength. This wasn't like this all the time, as I have major trust issues, and that although I let Him into my life, I had doubts such as wondering if he was actually there, was I just talking to myself and being crazy, and overall feeling down. The journey was tough, but I can safely say that just spending time throughout the years praying and talking to Jesus helped, and He became a fixture in my life. The saying "time heals" sure is true, and it helps that Jesus was guiding me the entire way. One (almost) tradition my family has is to put a rosary under our pillows at night, and this is something I wholly stand for. I have bad dreams a lot, so when I do, I always, always slide a hand under my pillow, and while holding the cross, I talk to Jesus, ask him for better sleep, or pray a rosary. Praying a rosary always puts me back to sleep, and without a doubt, I sleep peacefully the rest of the night. This is the work of Jesus. Jesus is the most important being in my life. He is always there for me, and is someone to talk to 24/7, who I know won't get tired of me talking a lot, and genuinely listens. Even though Jesus has been with me since I was born, I've really felt Him since that day of my Baptism/first Holy Communion, (so for about 9-10 years). I love Him, and I believe He is real, and that He helps me out every day.