What is more important in life? Being Cool or Being Yourself?

Hello Everyone,

When I see these children in school, and I'm talking about students in each grade, they try so hard to "fit in" with their peers. In my eyes, children who are trying so hard to "fit in" are being followers. Fitting in is extreme pressure with in teenagers. To them this is a must, even if it is at the expense of others (bullying others), or other ways, weather if its buying brand name clothes, committing a crime, or disobeying parents, teachers in schools, etc. Teenagers who just learn to love and be themselves realize that deep down they don't need name brand clothes and labels to feel good about themselves. Teenagers who just learn to love and be themselves will understand that clothing and material things doesn't make a good person. They will also understand that other people can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she dresses and carry themselves. People will not take you seriously if you are wearing saggy pants or dressing revealing clothing. Teenagers who learn to just love and be themselves turn out to do well  in life, emotional and financially, turning out to be happy when they get older. Teenagers who learn to just love and be themselves realize the consequences behind every action. They learn to think ahead before they speak and react. They also learn that there is something deep inside themselves that make them wonderful people. When you become a successful person, some people in your life are not willing to take that journey with you. Teenagers who love and be themselves truly want more out of life. Teenagers who love and be themselves make decisions to help others throughout their lives. Teenagers who chose to be followers, on the other hand, don't realize the consequences they step into when they want to "fit in", weather if it's bullying other teenagers, buying expensive clothes, or committing crimes. Teenagers who think "fitting in" is more important than other things in life are headed for trouble! Every night I see teenagers, male and female,  on the news in jail because they chose to be followers than leaders. They don't know who they are and don't love themselves.

Girls, why do you get into fights with other girls over a boy? I just don't understand it? A boy is not worth it! I've seen too many girls fight over boys and end up in jail. The sad part is, while the girls are in jail being in a jail cell, looking at those same walls, those boys who you were fighting over are out living their lives, probably out with other girls, and not even thinking about you.

Also, the system (police, jail, prisons, courtrooms) makes so much money off of the ignorance and tragedy of people everyday. Please people, teenagers, do not trade your precious freedom for being the contribution of wealth for the system.

I know peer pressure is hard. I've been a teenager before (not so long ago). But I said no to some things because I knew they were wrong. Today, when I look back, I'm glad I said no to peer pressure when I was a teenager. I said no to drugs, said no to alcohol, said no to sex ( I stayed a virgin until the age of 20), said no to committing crimes, and I said yes to life, and to this day I have no regrets!  But I look at myself now and I'm glad I'm not in jail, I'm glad I don't have several children at home, and I'm glad I went to college. I only have one life and I'm the only one who can control it. I chose to be a leader and not a follower. I chose to be myself.


Freedom is priceless! Enjoy the priceless things in life!