Many people, including myself, are guilty of thinking at least once in our lives that we didn’t belong.
I’ve been in circles of friends where I pasted a smile on my face and pretended it was where I wanted to be, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t who I was. I couldn’t be myself or stand up for what I believed in.
I was afraid to speak up for people in need because, in the end, I was one of them. Finally, I found a place where I could be myself, and trust me, you will too. No matter who you are, what you believe in, or who you love, there is a place where you will be accepted and appreciated. You should never live holding your true self hostage. The first step to belonging is allowing yourself to.
At Brooksbank elementary, we send the message that we are equal and part of a larger family. I’m not just saying this because it’s my school, but when I’m at Brooksbank, I feel like I matter and won’t be judged. I know this will not always be the case, so I’m grateful to have it now.
We have a voice at Brooksbank and believe in compassionate thinking and actions, which is why I will be shedding endless tears in June when it’s my time to move on to the next stage of my academic career.
I had the privilege to see the Dalai Lama do a lecture on compassion and its impact on a community. It showed me that there’s more to life than the materialistic things we get sucked into.
What truly matters is what’s right in front of you: family, friends, and community. I was also given the opportunity to attend We Day. It taught me to appreciate everything and everyone we have in our lives and treat them as we want to be treated.
You may be sitting, seeing a world of people with their own lives and stories, thinking there’s no way you’ll be accepted. As I said before, you need to stop holding yourself hostage.
Let out the silly, show them your goofy smile and your quirky laugh. You have nothing to lose. One day you will find a place as good as my Brooksbank, a place to call home and where Pink Shirt Day is celebrated with belonging.
Lea Posteraro is a Grade 7 student at Brooksbank elementary.
This column originally appeared in a Pink Day special section of the North Shore News print version.
