It wasn’t until after the suicide of a beloved classmate that I developed a definition of the word “caring.” My freshman mind was consumed with the usual teenage paraphernalia (gossip, clothes, popularity, sports, etc.), but this tragedy shattered my world and changed my outlook on life. When the initial whirlwind of emotions passed weeks later, I began asking myself “How did I survive through this?” I found my answer in a photo of me caught in my friends’ embrace taken the day after Channing’s death: caring had delivered me.
We all wander the Earth wondering who we are, desperate to be accepted, belong, and know that we are not alone. Caring is the satisfaction of this deep desire. Caring is that silent dialogue between two hearts saying, “I see your burdens. Look, I carry them, too. Come, we will do this together.” The craziest part is caring doesn’t require monumental deeds, but only love the size of a mustard seed that will grow to unfathomable heights. To care is to abandon our own needs and selflessly attend to the needs of others. Caring is the powerhouse of the soul.
Selfless kindness is crucial to caring, but caring need not always be gentle. We have a responsibility to one another to guide us down the right path; we are the guardrails of each other’s souls. We must channel our brothers’ and sisters’ energy, not allowing them to seek happiness amongst rubble, but directing them towards the true joy. Caring does not mean to agree on every subject and avoid discord at all costs, but instead respecting different opinions. As any parent would adhere to, caring is to value another’s life so intensely that discipline is engaged, but the subject is aware of love.
Out of Channing’s death spawned from my own hands the Peer Initiative-Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT) club. As a school organization, we promote positivity in every aspect, particularly anti-bullying and suicide awareness. In one year, PILOT became the largest club on campus and transformed the SHHS and community atmospheres. In addition, twenty critically screened and trained students known as the Peer Support Team meet confidentially with students struggling with bullying, stress, grief, abuse, etc. Recently, PILOT has been awarded a $50,000 State Farm Youth Advisory Board grant that I assisted writing. Our community, our country, our world is hurting; it is our duty to mankind to heal. And with this new monetary support, we can. Through PILOT, I manifest my belief in caring by meeting others in their present state, taking time to listen, acknowledging their burdens, and take action to assist them.
After high school, the virtue of caring will continue to be prevalent in my life. As I attempt to decipher my vocation amidst the fog of the future, I seek the rising of others. Whatever I choose as my major, career, and college, I will always be willing to lay down myself for the needs of others. I strive to be the person that makes others feel like they’re somebody. I will lend an ear, a hand, an eye, a heart no matter what situation I’m in. “Caring” unfortunately is not a major or a career option, but instead a thread to be woven into every aspect of my life.