Experience in elementary

   When I was little, I wasn't very smart, at least for an elementary student. I never really paid attention in class. I was doing really bad in all my classwork and tests. My backpack was really messy because I would just slam all my work in there. I'm not sure if it's just me but I felt like I had bad teachers or they didn't really like me that much. I used to have a golden retriever that I used to play around with but then it died of old age. In elementary I used to be really chubby and a lot of the kids made fun of me.It doesn't matter if it was recess or in class they will always try to bother me. I even tried to tell the teachers there but they never believed me and believed the bullies instead so nothing was ever done and they were free to bully me all they want. I would always get in a fight with them and I was the one that mostly got in trouble. I also remembered getting called into the office because someone poked a kid with a thumb thack and they said it was me who did it. My entire time in elementary wasn't a good one.

The 9 ways

9 ways to be happy and Make something of your life

Gordon B. Hinckley

• Be Grateful: This means be happy with what you got. The reason why you need to be grateful with what you got is because its better then not having anything. Depending on the situation, like a person giving you a gift or advice, you need to be grateful because the person took their time to give you something. A way to show you're grateful is by paying the person respect such as a thank you. You can also show gratefulness is by giving the person a gift. Another way to show gratefulness is by being there for the person. Another reason to be grateful is that there are other people in the world who doesn't have anything and you're complaining about something that they really need. Sometimes you can't get every little thing you want. You're not gonna have a good life if you keep getting mad over things you didn't get, that's why you need to be grateful. If you take the time to realize what you have compared to others, you realize it isn't so bad. I am grateful for the family I have and the pets I have. There is a quote by Eckhart Tolle, "Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance".

• Be Smart: This means to be gain knowledge about your surroundings. The reason why you need intelligence is because it makes life easier. Intelligence can help you get through old and new problems. Intelligence can give you more options for jobs. Intelligence can help you gain respect. Intelligence can help you take care of yourself and others. Intelligence can help you use everyday items. Intelligence can even help you save yourself and others from harm. If you are intelligent then you are least likely to get taken advantage of. For example if you go get your car repaired and you're not familiar with your car, they might try to charge you for something you don't need. Intelligence can also help you avoid getting scammed. Maya Angelou said "I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better. I do better".

• Be Involved: This means to take part in everyday things. The reason why you need to be involved is to be a productive member of society. Being involved could mean going to work. It could mean doing all your school work. It can also mean finally doing that thing you promise yourself you would do. To me, being involved means helping around the house making sure everything is clean. Being involved doesn't have to be beneficial to others it can be something you just want to do for yourself. Laying around doing nothing isn't going to help anyone at all. Almost everyone is involved with something, either small or big. Being involved is a good way to past the time especially when you're involved in something you like. Life is somewhat pointless when you are not involved in something. Richelle E. Goodrich says "its impossible to be involved in all situations, but there is no excuse not to be involved in something, somewhere, somehow, with someone. Make an ounce of difference".

• Be Clean: This means to cleanse yourself from things causing trouble. The reason why you need to be clean is to make sure you aren't doing anything that will cause you or others harm. Being clean can mean a lot of things that are very different to each other. An example of being clean is to stay away from drugs, as they can make you sick. Choosing your friends can affect how clean you are as they might influence what you do. How you behave and what you do to others can affect how clean you are. What I do to be clean is by doing well in school. I help around the house when ever my parents need it. I also always tend to be nice to people I meet. Making yourself clean can relieve stress and rid you of most potential problems in the future. Being clean can make others happy like your friends and family. Mahatma Gandhi said "I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet".

• Be True:  This means remaining true to yourself and to others. There are many reasons as to why you must remain true. Being true can help build up your reputation. Being true to others will make them trust you. Being true can help you earn respect by people around you. Being true can also mean other things. For example you can be true to yourself. This means being honest on how you feel, what you value, and you accept who you are. It can also mean knowing what is wrong and what is right. A person knows better so they should almost always make the right choice. One way I remain true is by being honest about how I feel. Steve Maraboli, "Its time to care; its time to take responsibility; it's time to lead; its time for a change; its time to be true to our greatest self; its time to stop blaming others."

• Be Positive: This means you need to have a good attitude. Having a good attitude can always get you through hard times. A good attitude will help you solve your problems. Another reason for having a good attitude is that it makes you stronger emotionally. If you have a negative attitude in a bad situation, then you will be beaten down much harder. Having a good attitude can also help you make friends. People will think you are a good person and might want to hang around you. Your good attitude can make people around you happier. When everyone else is down its especially important for you to have high hopes. Roy T Bennett said, "Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create". I will apply this step by trying to avoid being stress whenever I am stuck in school work

• Be Humble: To be humble can mean many different things and there are different ways to show it. It can mean not being too prideful or showy. A humble person can be modest and respectful. They usually use their moral compass whenever they make decisions. They don't try to show off and avoid bringing attention to themselves. They're are usually ok with whats going on in their lives. They are also okay with what will come in their future. They tend to help other people. The opposite of a humble person is a person who likes to talk about themselves being humble or a cheeky person. One reason why you should be humble is because it can build strong relationships. I will try to apply this new way by not being too prideful and not being too showy. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A great man is always willing to be little".

• Be Still: Being still can mean different things to other people. Being still can mean having great patience. Being still can mean standing tall and strong like a mountain. Being still, whenever something bad tries to knock you down. Being still and not rushing things in life. Being still where are you are in life, especially during a good time, can make the happiness last longer. Being still will ensure that you will stay strong throughout your life. Once you are still, you can take the time to think and plan out your next step. If you are not still, you have a greater chance of being knocked down. Not being still can cause you to miss things in life. I am going to apply this new way by trying to have great patience and always try to think ahead. Lao Tzu once said, "Be still, Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity".

• Be prayerful: 

• Reflection: I do feel that these 9 ways can help you. Each way can help you get through a certain task or situation in your life. Each step can help you stay happy or make others happy. For over the past weeks I have been applying these new ways. I was grateful when my parents decided to buy me new clothes and fast food. I was smart by doing well in school and getting almost straight A's. I decided to become involved by helping out my team with a presentation and helping friends with work. I have always stayed clean by avoiding drugs and avoiding bad habits. I have applied the "be still" way by being patient with people. Another way I have applied this way is by stopping and taking time to think about what my next step will be. I have applied being positive by not letting things get to me. Another way I stayed positive is by having a good attitude towards others.