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Textbook Definitions
Strong. Caring. Brave. Kind. Smart.
What do you think of when you hear these words?
Weak. Neglectful. Scared. Cruel. Stupid.
What do you think of when your hear those words?
The world is full of people, and judgement, and jealousy. We ignore those we don’t like, we spend time with those we love, we make mistakes.
But we are not textbook definitions.
The word strong means “able to withstand great force or pressure”.
It doesn’t mention the times when we can’t.
The word weak means “liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged”.
It doesn’t mention the times when we aren’t.
We are not constant.
Caring is displaying kindness and concern for others.
It doesn’t consider the times when we say things we regret.
Neglectful is not giving proper care or attention to someone or something.
It doesn’t consider that sometimes we need time to ourselves.
We are not black and white letters on a page.
When you’re brave, you’re “ready to face and endure danger or pain”.
It doesn’t recognize when you’re not.
When you’re weak, you’re “fearful, frightened”.
It doesn’t recognize that the world’s a scary place.
We are living, feeling beings.
To be kind is to have or show a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.
It doesn’t consider other people’s actions.
To be cruel is to willfully cause pain or suffering to others, or to feel no concern about it.
It doesn’t consider what they have done to us.
We have feelings, lives, good days, bad days.
If you can show quick-witted intelligence, you can be considered smart.
But no one can be quick-witted about everything.
If you show a lack of intelligence or common sense, you can be considered dumb.
But no one has common sense all of the time.
We are unpredictable, we are alive, we are breathing, we are learning.
And we are not textbook definitions.
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