Picture this, it is the end of your school day,you are surrounded by other friends of your age,that are in a united group,sharing all the interesting stories of the day. Maybe,laughing about the funny thing that happened to a mutual friend. But then who among you will take a stand? Who will say " that really wasn't funny" If it is you,then you probably lead more than you follow. You realized that your friend was embarrassed by the event and you spoke up on her behalf.That is something to be proud of and probably just a small example of your leadership.

The hardest thing to do while you are hanging out with friends,is to be the one who doesn't follow the pack. You know what I mean,the one who chooses to wear yellow when everyone decided they would wear black that day.You often risk that you friends will think of you as different, then they maybe will call you a snob,anti social or not worthy of membership in the group,they may begin to separate from you or walk away when you join them.You may then feel alienated and lonely, because you are out of the "click".

But what has happened is that you have now learned that there seems to be a reward for following the crowd and uniformly supporting them. Like wearing black when everyone decided to,really meant for that day,they were strong uniformly wearing the same thing for everyone to see.But, because you wore yellow,the plan went awry.
They probably know that there is a chance that you will act independently in most things you do. This will put you in a league of your own.

When you are a teenager there are so many things happening to you,your bodies are maturing,you feel fatter then your friend and wouldn't you know just in time for the school dance,you get a pimple on your nose!
Your Mom & your Dad don't seem to always understand that it hard to be a teen. Everyone expects things from you that they never did before. To top it off the person who you thought was your very best friend,doesn't talk to you anymore.Thats what a bum day feels like. I am sure you understand.

The very greatest temptations around you may come from your friends,who may share their stories of experimenting in the area of drugs, booze and sex. There may be so many stories out there,some will be true and some will be made up in order to feel they are part of the crowd.
It may seem, that you are the only one who doesn't have a story. But guess what-THAT IS THE BEST STORY OF ALL-.It will take a while for all of the things in your life to come together. You will be tempted to try a drug,that a peer offers you,-YOU ARE SMARTER THAN THAT AND YOU KNOW IT-Walk away from what you know is wrong, getting high on drugs and alcohol is brings you down to the lowest of low.The other temptation that is harder to resist is the struggle in new found sexual feelings. They are not bad in themselves,they are darn good,but they should evolve in a loving relationship only. It may be popular to be discussing adventures and misadventures in this area. Say no, as often as you need to,your sexuality belongs to you.You deserve to be treated with the highest respect.Choose carefully in your life and who you share it with.

But a surprise is waiting for you as you exit your teens. You have became a grown man or women,ready to go out into the world.Ready to take on challenges going to college or work. If you have had the support of a good family and friends, you are lucky, but even if you went through your struggles all alone, you have now blossomed into what you were meant to be "yourself" Be proud!

Learn more about this author, Olivia Bredbenner.
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