Fitting in.

I was a guest at a 5th grade awards ceremony the other day.  8 children had their speeches selected to be read before the audience.  The general theme of all of the speeches was that it was a jungle out there.  I was concerned about the fact that most of the speeches were all about how middle school was this horrible place but that they would survive if they would stick together.

My personal experience was that 5th grade was my absolutely most horrible year so middle school, while still awkward and strange, was by no means bad.  I liked having a locker and changing classes.  I liked being able to try out for activities and mostly I liked meeting new people.

I have a few friends whose daughters are going through some hard times right now.  The daughters are both 8th graders and they have had horrible middle school experiences with mean peers and just general not fitting in.  I can sympathize.  I have never been the most popular or the most beautiful or the most anything.  I was just me.

My overall impression of how I remember middle school is that it was fine.  Now granted 6th - 8th grade are some 25ish years ago and I could very well be blocking some stuff out.  I do remember crying when I was told that I was too hyper to be a cheerleader.  I never dated in middle school I was just more of a tomboy than anything.  Goofy and awkward.  That is how I remember myself.

I am well aware that if I tried to explain to these girls that it is okay to not fit in now, that this portion of their life does not define them, that they would look at me like I had three heads.

I was looking through my high school annuals and you want to know something?  The faces were not familiar.  A few were but for the most part the familiarity that I once had with that portion of my life is long gone.  All of the faces look the same.  I can't remember who was popular or who dated who or who everyone thought was the most beautiful or handsomest.  They all look the same to me now.  (Quite honestly if given a quiz to select the people I went to high school with I would have failed miserably)

Do not concern yourself with the opinions of others.  People will come and go throughout your life.  The people whose opinion matters will stay with you through thick or thin.  The people who judge you harshly will be long gone by the next chapter and they are but a life lesson of how not to treat others.

You are a beautiful gift from God to this planet to make life special in your way, not in the way of everyone else.  God made you to be you.  What do you like?  Go out there and find your joy.  Find others that bring you joy and enjoy your life.