Strength and Influence Are More than Words
Have you ever been influenced by your community or felt the strength of it? Whether you understand this or not, it is always present and has its effect during different stages of our existence. At least once everybody feels its force. Moreover, when it happened to you the first time, you might not have even paid attention to it. Whether you live in an urban village in the middle of nowhere or in the heart of America, your community influences you all the time. No doubt, you should also follow some rules generally accepted in your society.
Let's think about the strength of the community for an average teenager. Is it positive or negative? What outcome does it have? For me, the concept of strength implies the ability to control. Depending on the person he/she can use it for a pleasant purpose or vice versa. The community as a whole builds strength by itself all the time. Here are a few samples of the verbal power in our neighbourhood: intellectual potential, experience in community development, relationship, collaboration, and others.
After figuring out the strengths of society, we should talk about its influence. In adolescence, unformed individuals are affected the most. Firstly, criticism and self-criticism may have an essential influence on young personalities on the team. It helps to get rid of shortcomings of behavior as well as to prevent possible negative actions. Fair and friendly criticism encourages the offender to think and realize the wrongness of his or her actions.
Secondly, the community often helps you find yourself, but you don't always need to listen to the opinion of other people. Moreover, you should not forget that there are bad companies and their influence upon you will not be positive. On the other hand, the companies of open and creative people may have a beneficial impact.
Finally, remember that you should carefully select your surroundings to be able to transform yourself through the influence of the community.
To sum up, let’s keep in mind the fact that most of the time of your life you are surrounded by different people. It is wrong to consider the moment of choosing your community unimportant. You need a lot of effort, but do your best to make the right choice!
I wish everyone here to feel support and understanding, no matter what nationality or religion you are, what skin color or principles you have. Just remember that you are a unique person and your community should inspire you to improve yourself in a positive and constructive way.
Natalia Kuzminova is an 11th grader in Kiev, Ukraine. She is keen on making different types of sweets and reading novels and detective stories. She loves drawing with oil paints.