-Beaten up in 10th grade. Scenario: Walking to class with a girl friend. Old flame decides to make snide comments and tries to force her to talk with him. I saw she was uncomfortable so I stepped in. No fighting, just talking. She left as I distracted him. As I was leaving his friend attacked me from behind. I didn't fight back. Outcome: A bump on the head, a story that followed me until I graduated, and a school district that was afraid of my father. The other guy...One hundred and eighty days kicked out of the school district and a lawsuit for aggravated assault. Lesson: Sometimes you have to stand up for someone, even if the opposition is stronger, larger, meaner, or more powerful then you are. Looking back, I wish I had fought back. However I didn't get hurt and no one else bothered me after that. Although they did still mess with my friends.
-Cry in front of class, 10th grade. Scenario: Final Game day of class. Picture Civilization meets Jeopardy meets Civil War times five high school classes. It was the biggest thing in our school. But more on that another time. Anywho, I embarrassed the teacher and declared war on him in front of the whole class. A very dangerous move. He has the most resources, largest army, and most power. I was tempting fate. He was able to 'kidnap' me and destroy my capital on the last turn. As punishment I became his 'slave' and had to stand up in front of class and sing and do the motions for I'm a Little Teapot. I have extreme stage fright. After I finished I went to my desk and cried. I was so embarrassed. Outcome: I was determined to not let myself get to that point again and overcome my stage fright. I took public speaking, drama, creative writing, anything I could to get past it. I still get nervous, but I have improved much since then. That was a leading factor in me breaking out of my shell. Lesson: Sometimes your weakest moments end up creating your greatest strengths.
-Ask a girl out, 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade. Scenario: Every one ended...well, I wouldn't say badly. Just not well. One felt I was too young (she was a year older). Another already had a boyfriend, and the next year a girlfriend. And the last wouldn't date me because I wasn't Christian, even though we had much in common outside of our beliefs. I actually didn't have my first girlfriend until I graduated, didn't get my first real kiss until a year later from a different girl. Outcome: I learned from each person and tried to improve myself according to what they were looking for. It wasn't until the last few years did I realize I shouldn't have to change for someone else, nor should they have to change for me. Lesson: Don't change who you are just to please someone else, only change to please yourself.
This is all I can remember that had a definite impact, but I'm sure there is more. More things that had an impact. Every small thing, every day something could have started a change in me or helped guide me to who I am today.
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