Shake It off-Speak Now-Brave Girl

Speak Now-Shake It Off-Brave Girl

-Angelica P. Antonio

        As a child, I was always different from everyone. I studied at a very expensive school so you can already guess the type of people that surrounds me. I can’t say that we’re poor but we’re not also as rich as them. Our income is just enough for us so I can’t afford the kind of luxury that they have. And I really don’t want those in the first place. I just want to do my own thing always. I have friends of course and if it weren’t for them, I won’t experience some of the luxuries that they have but even them can’t encourage me to become an extravagant person. I also feel awkward and shy in front of many people. I’d rather be on my own and write all my opinions, emotions, and knowledge. This continued ‘til my high school life. While others are going to parties or shopping at malls or busy choosing cosmetics for themselves, I’m just at my house reading books or listening to music or writing something. Yes, I’m a home buddy. I never wanted to be like the others. I just don’t simply care about what’s happening around. These are the reasons why I feel separated from others and gained few friends only. Mind you, I don’t also care about popularity. There are boys who liked me, of course. But become bored and mad at me after a short time only. They’re calling me names. At first it hurt, but I get used to it as time passed by. I realized that I’m not really a loser. Being a wallflower doesn’t mean that you’re weak and pathetic. It simply means that you’re too great to become one of them. And so they call you names, they attack you emotionally and mentally because they can’t bring you down. Because at the end of the day, they’re still two steps behind you. You’re above them that’s why they want to pull you down. But they don’t know that your weakness can be your strength too. And if you can only learn to turn your weakness into your strength, you’ll become invincible. And they’ll hate you even more (Ha ha!). I also managed to say what’s on my mind little by little. It wasn’t easy. But trust me, your burden will lighten. And I learned that words are so powerful. Slowly, the bashing and bullying stop because I gained a lot of respect from my schoolmates and classmates. They have no idea that during those years of being a wallflower, I’m not just simply killing or wasting my time. During those years, I became very busy educating myself not just academically but morally also. I observed them, their attitudes, and behaviors. I became busy reading books and acquiring wisdom. They’re always surprised because at the end  of every quarter, I always achieve something academically. I became more humane and understanding too. Yes, I learned the hard way. But today, everyone that knows me knows me as a very strong person. I’ve experienced a lot of hurtful and difficult things already, yet I’m still here. And where are the persons who hurt me? The persons who always judges me? The persons who hated me? They’re very far away from me now. They can’t hurt me anymore because I’m braver and stronger than them now. I surpassed them. They’re just part of my past. They’re more like ghosts to me now. I can compare myself to Hulk. The more they hurt me, the stronger I get. But after what they’ve done to me, I did the bravest thing. I forgave them. Before I end this, there are three things that I want to leave in your minds: First, Speak Now. Second, Shake It Off. And third, be a brave girl.