"I hate it when people mistake kindness for flirting."

I hate this statement. SO. MUCH. I know I am young and inexperienced in a lot of things, but from my personal observation and assessment of people and human nature over the years, most people don't actually mistake it for flirting. If you have been kind or polite to someone and they began showing an interest in you, it's probably because you are the only one, or one of the few, who has actually treated that person as an actual human being.

Of course they're going to be attracted to you! No one likes hanging around people who think less of them unless that's all they've ever known. And even then they usually don't really like it, it's just what they're used to.

Instead of complaining about how socially awkward, average looking, or just plain weird people are attracted to you, be proud that you're actually a decent enough human being to treat them like they are people, too! Encourage your friends to treat them well along with you, and pretty soon they won't just like you. Sure it might sometimes be an inconvenience on you to be followed around by them, but if you were a good enough person to be nice to begin with, don't stop there.

The only way this world will get better is if we treat each other better. Even your friends. One of the biggest paradoxes I see in society is how poorly people speak to or treat their friends. Sure it's usually done in a joking manner and no one takes each other seriously, but it doesn't make it right and it can desensitize people to the needs of others. If you love someone, tell them so. If you are glad of your friendship, show it.

We don't have to be a society of unloving and uncaring jerks. If you have a good thought toward someone, don't be afraid to show it. Sometimes it can be daunting being nice to someone: you may think you'll be rejected, or you don't want to give them the wrong impression, or you just don't know how to be kind. Practice! The only way anyone becomes good at something is doing it anyway and doing it a lot of times. If your methods aren't working, ask someone else how they do it. Find a better way to be nice.

Being good to other people isn't a crime. Being good to other people isn't making yourself any less. Being kind to other people is a way of showing that you're bigger than you used to be, that you are better.

The excuse that it isn't in your nature to be kind or polite isn't an excuse at all. One of the remarkable things about people is that we are all born with a capacity for kindness and social bonding that exceeds that of animals. We can really become the greatest kind of creature on this earth if we are all willing to listen and help each other.

Anyone can be a jerk. Anyone can make excuses. Anyone can not care.

But anyone can also be kind, responsible, and caring. It's all in our nature.

Please SHARE this, and actually try to make a difference. It'll be more rewarding than you know.

Parody of "Belle"

It was a pretty capricious rainy day here in Thatcher, so I decided to write a parody with the help of 3 of my good friends: Lisa Crandall, Dannielle Hext, and Carissa Southwick. Here is the parody:

Little town, it's a rainy campus. 
Every day, warmer than before. 
Little town, full of college people 
Waking up to say....

What's up? Hey girl! What's up, what's up, what's up?
There go my classmates in their jeans and sweatshirts
It's still too cold to wear a tee
The rain's making us depressed
And mud's making things a mess
But then that's just the way at EAC

Good morning Juliet!
'morning professor!
Where are you off to today?
The Institute. My friend and I are going to play ping pong and pool and then maybe even--
That's nice. Hey you! Get to class!

 Look there she goes that girl who's strange, a little
She's behind on homework, can't you tell?
With a dazed and panicked look
And a backpack full of books
She'd be happy with a C in English Lit.

Hello!
Oh, hey!
How is your roommate?
Hello!
Gee, hi!
How is your wife?
I NEED, SIX BOOKS
That's too expensive!
Something must come out of this college life!

Jules! What the heck are you doing here?
I came to turn in the problems you assigned.
Those were due on Thursday.
I couldn't get my thoughts organized. I mean, integrals are just so confusing. I'd much rather read a book; at least those make sense. 
You know, there is a textbook in this class.
I'm afraid to open it. I paid too much to damage even a page between those covers.
All right, I'll give you an extension if you get out of my freaking office. 
Thank you! Thank you so much!

Look there she goes that girl is clearly tired. 
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a tired, frazzled look
And her nose stuck in a book
And our finals week is still four months away.

Now, isn't this amazing?
There's a rainbow shining in the sky.
And this homework is so easy,
But I really should have done it all a week ago.

 Now it's no wonder everyone is stressed out
This work has got no parallel
But behind "this is easy"
Is "I am quite queasy"
Because work is work no matter what
YES WORK IS WORK NO MATTER WHAT
WORK IS WORK NO MATTER WHAT AT SCHOOOOOOOL!!!!!

Also, me and Carissa, who are best friends and roommates got super gorgeous haircuts today. Though I might miss my long hair, I am loving having short hair with bangs for the first time in years!