Are you cool? LOL

A month ago, I ran into a teenager I know who was hanging out with her friends. I could tell something was bothering her. We talked for a few minutes and finally told me she didn't really like her friend's plans for the evening. She felt uncomfortable. I asked, "Then why go?" She answered, "Because they're cool and then everyone will be happy. Whenever I speak up they get mad."

There has been a lot of water flow under my bridge since I was a teenager, but I can remember how she feels. I told her to never do anything she was uncomfortable with and there were other friends out there.

I saw this same girl a few days ago. She was smiling and happy and "hanging out" with a new group of friends. I found out she did speak up and her friends alienated her. She became friends with this new group who did take into consideration her feelings and thoughts. "I'm so much happier," she said.

I'm not writing this for people to pat me on the back. I'm just tuned into people and can read them pretty well. But I do listen to people and am amazed that there are even adults who go along with the crowd and others who lead the crowd. So high school, right?

What matters in the end is if we as individuals are happy. If you're happy going along with the crowd and letting someone lead you around then so be it. I've never been good at that or kissing up. I'm pretty much just me. I'm just asking that we all look at our actions and remember sometimes we need to speak up or stay away. Whether you realize it or not most young people follow the actions of the adults in their lives. Be a good influence.

I admire this girl. She's 17 and could have given into peer pressure but didn't. She's being herself and is happy. Shouldn't we all be that way?

Change Me? I don't think so !

Throughout my life people have tried to change me, and at times, I have tried to change to make other people happy. When I reached 40 I decided I was going to be myself because that's when I'm happiest.

So I am who I am. I love making new friends and believe you can learn from people in your life. But if you don't like me then so be it. It really doesn't matter because the sun will still rise tomorrow. I say this because even recently, at this stage in life, I had friends who wanted me to react and be like them. Sorry, I'm not.

This is what I am. I'm truthful, loyal, compassionate, a good friend and I will stay out of your business if you stay out of mine. The things that are important to me may be boring to most. My faith in God, family (including animals) and friends come first, then writing, photography and Alabama football.

When I lay my head down at night I know I'm a good person including being a good wife and mother. I do not stab people in the back. I'm not two-faced; if I don't like you, you know it. But above all else, I am who I am. You will never change me so don't even try.

I don't want to be like everyone else; I just want to be me.