The importance of being authentic and kind
Northcliff High School learner hopes peers will act with kindness and care for others.
Matida Blackheath, a Northcliff High School learner, writes about the importance of being authentic and not fake.
Here is what she had to say:
From my own personal experiences I’ve had this year with making new friends since I came to the school in Grade 8 – it has been tough.
There was one girl, let’s call her Amber but that is not her real name, we had a small misunderstanding about a school project. We haven’t really got along after that, which makes me sad.
I find out that she’s been talking about me behind my back and saying these horrible things about me, but when I try and talk to her and I try to be nice to her, then she acts like everything’s normal.
And I honestly think that’s just not right. With teen friendships, it happens a lot. It can make kids feel self-conscious about themselves knowing that people who think they’re their friends are talking about them behind their backs. It’s not nice and I don’t think it is right.
What can people do differently to be better?
I think communication is a key thing because if you can see that your friend is struggling or something’s happening, or they’re acting differently, ask them what is going on. If you could just try and talk to them, then, maybe it will have a positive impact. Things could turn out differently than what’s currently happening. Imagine being fake and going behind your friend’s back and gossiping, it is hurtful. It happens a lot here at school.
So I think if communication and truth were happening and we all spoke face to face then we would have fewer problems. I don’t think there would be so many mental illnesses and mental disorders among teens if we were authentic and true.
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