New Places. New Faces.

I recently moved onto campus as a college freshman and its already turning out to be fun and exciting and quite fulfilling of my very high expectations. I meet new people in every new building I walk in and I feel like there's so much potential waiting for me here.
But then as I was walking up my dorm stairs today, I realized that perhaps I've been doing exactly what I've warned everyone else not to do.
I normally am a nice person. Especially around new people. And I couldn't imagine saying mean things about people I truly don't know all that much about. I wouldn't want people to do that to me, so what gives me the right to do that to anyone else?
But of course, on my fourth day on campus, I can hear words and thoughts popping into my head about people that prove the complete opposite.
I've spent more time in the last couple of days comparing myself to other people, wondering why people act the way they do, and turning to a hatred inside of me that I wasn't even aware existed, than ANY other time in my life.
I want everyone to know: I understand that this is difficult. WE ALL COMPARE OURSELVES TO SOMEONE ELSE. Sometimes we say mean things.
As my actions are proof, even I am guilty of doing that. But the important thing for all of us now is to admit that we do this and work to change it.

In my CIE class we discussed the idea of realizing that there is a world around us that is filled with different types of people. Then we become split into two groups: Those who see the differences and choose to accept, support, and even be a part of these other lifestyles, and those who choose to remain steadfast in their own somewhat narrow minded ways.

I want us as a group to be the ones to stand up and support the differences around us. I want us to help others to see what it is to love others for their differences and their beauty instead of hating them.

I know that in order for anyone else to believe in this, I have to first believe in it. So I am telling you now, I whole heartedly am taking the step to love instead of hate; to look for everyones inherent beauty and remind others that its okay to be different. We're all different. Without differences beauty would not exist.
Please, take the step with me. We're all human; none of us are perfect. If you have been guilty of this hatred recently, don't remain focused on it. That does not define us. Learn from this and move forward. Because you are not alone.

None of you are.

You are all beautiful. I do believe that. I do honestly and whole heartedly believe that every one has their own beauty, unique to themselves. I hope you all believe that about yourselves too. Be confident and love one another.

Without your love and support, I wouldn't feel so strongly about standing up to fight this battle.

Spread love. Keep the search for beauty alive. Thank you.