Getting Inspired

Abigail D., Public Relations Officer, reflects on advice she was given at a GG makeover hosted by the Bloomfield High School Chapter.

While on my most recent visit to my local senior home, I had the wonderful opportunity to hang out with a few of the residents and have one-to-one conversations with them. I sat with a group of three women named Joan, Linda, and Edna. I reminisced with Joan about the last time I had been at The Chelsea and how fun the activities were. We joked and sat down to play bingo with the two other women. I introduced myself and sat down at the table. Linda, one of the women, struck up a conversation with me. She asked me what grade I was in, where I wanted to go to college, and what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her that I was a sophomore in high school and wanted to go to UPenn to become a veterinarian. She began to give me advice. She said, "Don't let what anyone else says or does affect you, focus on yourself and what makes you happy. You will go far with your positive attitude and being a kind person, you just have to believe in yourself and not let yourself get down. Always get back up. Never dim your personality for anyone, always be your true self." Although I’ve heard this advice before, it really made an impact on me. Here she was, this complete stranger who didn't know me at all, telling me that she believed in me, my goals, and that she knew I'd do amazing things one day. A complete stranger was kinder to me than I typically am to myself. This type of kindness and compassion is what more people in the world need, not just for others, but also for themselves.