5. Have confidence in your own values, opinions and ideas. Let's say all your friends are shopping at a reallly cool store in the mall, but you feel that the selections are too revealing for you to wear comfortably. You friends are showing you their outfits and suggesting that you try some on. It's important to have your own opinions. Just because your friends think it looks good doesn't mean it's right for you. It's perfectly OK for you to voice your opinions. Your friends have their opinions and you have yours.
4. Listen to your gut feeling. Inside each of us is a little voice that tells us right from wrong. This is called your conscience. Don't turn off that little voice. A friend dares you to send a nasty message about a kid in your class to everyone in your class. Inside, the little voice tells you "that is a really bad idea!" Do not get so caught up in the stupidity and involve yourself in behavior that you will later regret or that will hurt someone. Listen to that voice and do the right thing.
3. Chose your friends wisely. Hang-out with people who build you up and not knock you down. Don't completely trust the first person who introduces themself to you. Meet many people and get to know them before you become a committed friend. It's very important to know the true personality of the people you socialize with. At the first sign that a potential friend does not share your values, that's a red flag that you must act upon. Slowly break contact with anyone who will potentially get you in trouble or influence you in a negative way.
2. Curiosity killed the cat. This old saying has a lot of meaning, even today. For example, here is an extreme example that will drive home the point. Let's say that all of your friends are smoking behind the school during lunch hour. You never had a cigarette before and you are somewhat curious about how it feels to smoke. DON'T DO IT! This is your first step into a life time addiction to tobacco and a struggle with an ugly, unhealthy and expensive habit. Don't take the first puff. Don't keep that kind of company. Tell a trusted adult about what you saw and run in the opposite direction. Too many curious kids wound up with lung cancer thirty years later when the vile drug, nicotine, took hold over their minds and bodies.
1. All that shimmers in not gold (yes, I know, another corny saying). The people in your circle or the group that you want to hang-out with may seem "cool" to you. They may dress in the latest styles, cut their hair like the celebrities they admire, and be popular with many. But does the surface appearance really tell you what lies beneath? Don't be attracted by the shimmer. Don't pick your friends because of superficial reasons. Don't feel pressured to act and think in ways that are not really who you are, just to fit in with the kids who "shimmer". Remember that they are no different that you. No more special. They are just trying to cover-up their insecurities and fears with fancy stuff. You may not see this in their outward persona. Once you see all people as equals you will be less inclined to follow others and simply be yourself.
13-Jan, stands for thirteen is just a number. The idea behind 13-Jan is to encourage teens and tweens to be themselves, and to shed the stereotypical images of today's youth. Our message is to be unique, and stand out from the crowd. Be yourself, and don't ever change who you are. You are beautiful, just the way you are.
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