Just take a minutes to soak in the ending of the one of the greatest movies ever made, The Breakfast Club. I know it may be from the 1980s, made before I was even born, but The Breakfast Club rocks. And so does its ending.
For me this video shows how everyone has a little of everything inside them. Someone is not just one-dementional, not JUST an "athlete" or "brain" or even a "basket case." For a long time it was hard to see myself as more than one title. For a while I was the athlete, for a longer while a brain, and at times, a basket case. But at the same time I was all of those, I was also a sister, compassionate, loving, and a loyal friend. Well, I like to think I was all those things at least. But what this video reminds me of is I shouldn't have to just express one facet of who I am, I should act on all my thoughts and values. As a freshman high school I hadn't learned to express to the world all of who I was just yet, but just as this movie's group of 5 teenagers realized they had more to offer than just their stereotype, I realized that I needed to live out my words and values and everyday life. And come on, who doesn't love a 1980s teen comedy about high school??
Over recent years I've seen people who talk a lot of talk, and just can't walk the walk. And truth be told I was one of those people at a point in my life. But after meeting my close friends in high school and seeing the genuine care and compassion they lived out, I started to realize that's something I wanted to do too. I try my hardest not to just say I'm someone's friend, but act it by being there for them when the going gets rough, but also when it's smooth sailing. I live out compassion through acts of random kindness towards strangers- think of me as creepy all you want, but just recently I've started to try to smile at every person who walks by me on their way to class or work. I know it's just a small thing, but I figure, hey what's it going to hurt to be smiled at by someone? One of the biggest things I do to live out my values is to volunteer. Sure I can talk all I want about how I want things to change, the homeless to find homes. But until I reached out and put myself in their shoes, I was just a big talker. Humbled by the hours of service and solidarity I have been able to share with people experiencing homelessness, I think I have really begun to live out the values I hold closest.
I love this movie! It shows how we all are different people and unique morals, but share a lot of the same values. I completely understand with your story about being a big talker. In high school, I also volunteered with at a homeless shelter in San Francisco. This experience really made me value my life a lot more and be grateful for all of the incredible opportunities I have been given. Awesome post this week and I think it really shows a lot about you as a leader.
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