B-N-B-H.
Three years ago at the end of 6th grade, I found myself talking about a girl that I had been spending a lot of time bothering myself with that year. It wasn't until that day that I realized that I was a "mean girl". I hadn't bullied anyone or been mean or rude to anyone, and I had done a pretty good job of not hurting peoples feelings, but I had been talking a lot about this girl behind her back. I didn't spread rumors and I would only talk about her to one person but it was still a really mean thing to do. If I had been that girl who I was so often trashing, I would have thought I was a REALLY mean person. It didn't matter that I had only told my best friend about how horrible this girl was, or that I hadn't done anything directly to her to hurt her feelings, but one of the first things we learned in kindergarten was if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all. Not only was I breaking that rule about two times a week, there was a ton of negative energy coming out of me two times a week. Because I had finally realized this, I freaked out. I couldn't remember how long that had been going on, but it made me really worried that I would turn into a mean person. It was my first year changing friends so I began to wonder if i had chosen the wrong people to make friends with. I realized that I was the only one initiating the conversations and the true person at fault was me. I decided that my two main things I needed to fix, was being nicer and more positive. The beginning of B-N.
It wasn't until this year that I came up with BNBH my motto. I had been spending a lot of time thinking about how fortunate I was as a person and how I could show my appreciation for everything I have. I would think about the little troubles I had like not making it into a play or getting a bad grade on a test and would find it unfair to those less fortunate than I, that I was upset over these little things, when people are starving with no homes. Because my problems are nonexistent in relation to those who have experienced poverty, sexual violence, etc. I decided i should act as though I didn't have problems. This doesn't mean that if I get a bad grade on a test, then I am going to ignore it, but I won't spend time be upset about and work harder instead. I am so incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to go to an amazing school that getting upset about a bad grade seems just plain disrespectful to those who don't have the opportunities I do. Basically the opposite of upset is happy, which initiated the start of B-H.
So to remind me to be a good person B-N-B-H. Be kind to others, don't talk behind their backs and be a flat out nice person. Be happy with everything you have because you are the luckiest person in the world in relation to so many of those who are less fortunate its stupid to waste an amazingly blessed life upset.
Sincerely,
BE NICE. BE HAPPY.
BNBH
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The reader definitely gets a sense that he/she is in the narrator's head. Also, I noticed that you developed the narrator's personality by expressing her integrity. Although, the call me bsbh and the 1st sentence don't really flow nicely. In other words, they don't really link to each other, which is what Vonnegut did, granted in an odd way, but he did nonetheless. Other than that, it's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very genuine and honest piece. It was absorbing to read and very interesting. The only thing I would change is that I really heard your voice in the blog and not so much of Kurt's. Overall it's a strong piece though, good job!
ReplyDeleteWoah! I really liked the total honesty that comes out of your piece. Your choice of words just give the reader the idea that they're thinking the same thing. But, since BNBH is your motto, do you want people calling you that as your name?
ReplyDeleteAnd you also made me think about all the mean things I've said, and not going to do anymore!
Wow, the honesty and creativity displayed in this piece is amazing. I love the idea of making up your own word and way of life, much like what Vonnegut accomplished. Some of the sentences seem a bit awkward but I feel as though you captured Vonnegut's style very well while still conveying a message that means alot to you. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love how you didn't tell us your name until the very end. It really kept me wanting to keep reading. Also, for coming up with this in one day is impressive! This seems like it took you at least a week or so, but you actually came up with it in one day! Good job and I would love to read some more of your work
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