When you are communicating with someone, by text, letter, gesture or any other way, you are sending a message. When you send a message, by your way of choice, you want to make sure that the message is clear and understandable for the other person. Have you ever received a message from someone and you didn't understand what they were trying to tell you? Or have you ever spoken to someone and it seemed as though they weren't even listening? Good communication is allowing a mess

Equality is basically treating everyone like a human being. No matter what someone looks like, believes in, dresses like, where they're from, we are all equal. We are all the same and should be treated like it. Everyone is important and everyone deserves the same amount of respect as the next person. Treating someone as equal is being fair to them. It's like playing a game. Each player has the same amount of rules to go by, and no one is excluded from playing by the rules. An

Forgiveness is a process of pardoning someone for something negative they have said or done to you and not holding it against them. Sometimes someone may say something rude to us and we get upset and hold negative feelings toward that person. Holding that negativity and tension isn't healthy, instead we can realize that nothing is personal. People are responsible for how they treat others and how they respond to others as well. Forgiving is continuing to treat someone with ki

What is individualism? Individualism is being yourself! :) You are your own person, and you stand by your own values and beliefs. You don't allow others to interrupt what you believe to be right and good and thinking for yourself is also something only you can do. The things you like, dislike, opinions you have on different topics are all a part of your individuality. As a kid, you can't make all the decisions, but you have the ability to form your personality based on your i

Let's talk about responsibility! :) Being responsible means to be accountable for yourself and your actions. We all have to make sure that we are doing what we need to, in order to be more helpful. Responsibility is an important characteristic because you are allowing others to be able to count on you. So, when your parents or guardians tell you to wash the dishes or clean your room, and you do, you are being responsible because you are taking care of something that needs you

So, we all know everyone is here on Earth for a reason. Including you! Our purpose is to use what we have! What we have to contribute to this world may not be the same as someone else's and that is quite all right. But we all contribute in some way, and you are much needed my friend. Whether you are helping to volunteer somewhere, helping out at the hospital or just around to keep someone company, find what you have to offer and use it for good. You have the opportunity every

Have you ever heard of Random Acts of Kindness? Well, either way, it's doing something kind for someone, even yourself. An example can be sending someone a letter in the mail, calling a family member to see how they are doing, or making a card for your teacher. Kindness is something we all are capable of showing to each other. Treating people well and in positive ways impacts our health as well. It is good for stress and our mindset, boosting our mood. Also, creating a happy

There's a saying that goes around, "stay positive," said by grandma's, mom's, dad's and just other people. You would think it's easy for them to say especially if they already have something going well for them in their lives. But the truth is... that it's true! Your mind can play so many tricks on you to where you start believing all of these negative things that you may hear. You're not good enough, you won't be anything in life, you're not smart and other mean things. The

It seems as though confidence is the root of just about all of our interactions with others. From speaking in front of a classroom of people who either like you or don't, trying to communicate with a crush of yours or just feeling low, still having to show up at your family gathering. But you know what? The good thing about our confidence, is that we can control how it comes across to other people. It may not be as easy at first, but when you don't feel your best, others may

I know it's hard expressing yourself sometimes, especially when there are others who don't accept you for whatever reason. Maybe you aren't the best communicator, or maybe you just don't feel comfortable in certain places, around certain people or just having a bad day. Here's a tip... just be you! You won't always have the answer to everything, and you won't always know how to handle a certain situation but trying to be and act like something that you aren't is never the ans

The truth is... YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES! The other truth is that...it's ok, we all do. Whoever you may be, if you are a human, you will make little mistakes and maybe big ones, but don't worry at all. No human on this planet hasn't made some kind of mistake. Whether you've spilled milk, accidentally told something that was supposed to be a secret or did something you know you shouldn't have, we all have done all three at some point. Don't be too hard on yourself, besi

So, some of you may be wondering what good character is all about. Welp, let me explain. There is a difference in having character and having good character. Character is made up of your attitude, your behavior, your personality and your choices. Having good character is made of the same things but your attitude, behavior, personality and decision making are of quality. Good character means that we can be depended on, trusted and also set a good example for others. Now we don