What I've learned during my 13 years of life

Stop worrying about what others think about you. Stop pretending to be someone you're not, be yourself. Be with people who like you for you; who cheer you up.

Don't worry if people judge you or talk about you. They always will. Learn to ignore them. Be weird, be crazy, be anything you want to be.

People will try to bring you down. But only you have the power to not let it happen. Show them that you're not afraid of being yourself.

Just because you had a bad day doesn't give you the right to ruin everyone else's. Smile and show people that nothing can bring you down because you are strong.

Bullying isn't nice and so many people commit suicide because they can't live through the pain and sadness. If you see someone being bullied, tell an adult.

Don't judge people. You never know what they have been through to get where they are in life.

Everyone has battles that they must fight. They may not be your battles but everyone has their struggles in life.

Just because you see someone with a smile on their face doesn't mean they're not going through something. They are just being positive in life because that's what one does. You put your worries behind and put a smile on your face.

If you ever see someone sitting by themselves or someone not happy, compliment them and smile at them because it will make their day.

Beauty isn't a certain size, appearance, weight. It comes from within you. It's the way you treat others: kindness, being nice, caring for others, loving others. This is what makes you beautiful. Don't ever think you are not beautiful.

Makeup doesn't change your beauty; your personality does. G0D gave us only one life --- so live it. Inspire others around you to be nice and be themselves. Never ever try to be someone you're not and never ever think that you're not good enough, because you are.

Don't surround yourself with mean people. We have the power to change the world one step at a time, so be nice to everyone. Don't let anyone crush your dream. Don't ever give up. Some people will try to convince you that your dream will never come true. Prove them wrong. Trust me, one day you will achieve that dream.

People will hate you sometimes because of your religion, where you live, your appearance, your weight, size, etc... But never let anything stop you from achieving your dream.

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Michal (Mimi) Maslow, 13, attends the Jewish Foundation School on Staten Island, New York.