Be Kind

I heard a testimony at church today that really touched my heart. This young girl who is only 12 years old got up to bear her testimony. She began talking about how she is having a very hard time in school right now. She is teased and made fun of "for the most randomest of things." It's been really hard on her and you could tell. She talked about how grateful she is for her best friend (another darling girl in my ward) for always being there for her and just being her friend. She also talked about how much she loved and appreciated her family. As she spoke, she was crying. It was hard to hold back the tears listening to her and seeing her break down. I could feel her pain. It's hard for me not to tear up typing this right now.

It's not right. Why do people feel it's ok to make fun of others? To put others down. To make someone feel bad about things they can not change. This girl is very tall for her age with glasses and braces. The perfect victim. She also LOVES to sing and act. Even if her singing isn't the best, she does it because she loves it. Her confidence is really what shines when I see or hear her doing it. My heart breaks for her and for the many other children who are bullied. Who go home from school in tears because of what their peers, who should be their friends, say to or about them. EVERY SINGLE PERSON on this earth is a daughter or son of God. EVERY SINGLE PERSON should be treated with LOVE. It's not right. EVERYONE is different but EVERYONE is the same to God. He LOVES them and we need to learn to do the same. Just because someone acts or looks different from us does not give ANYONE the right to hurt them. Whether it be through their words or actions, physically or emotionally. I wish EVERYONE could feel loved. I wish EVERYONE had good friends like this one, sweet girl in my ward who is a gentle and loving friend to this other little girl going through such a hard time.

I hope I have never made anyone feel the way this girl is feeling. I understand the pain and hurt because I have been a victim of this myself. I have had my peers look at me and judge me based on what they see and hear (or rather NOT hear).

I want to help kids. I want to show kids how special and wonderful they are. I want kids to KNOW that, no matter what anyone else has to say about them, THEY ARE LOVED. And SPECIAL. And WONDERFUL. This is what I want to do. I've been thinking about it for a while but now I KNOW. I am going to start looking into programs where I can make a difference in a child's life. Just ONE child's life would be enough.

PLEASE DON'T JUDGE OTHERS. PLEASE DON'T MAKE OTHERS FEEL BAD. LOVE. LOVE IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER. LOVE OTHERS. TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE IS A CHILD OF GOD. HE LOVES THEM. WE SHOULD TOO.