Arreana Jackson

Arreana is a senior in high school and a Peer Educator at Alternatives For Girls, reaching out to help at-risk young women.

If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I'd want to pass along to others...

There is a lot of criticism in the world, but we are our own worst critics. It's easy following the negative path and going down the harmful road. But it's even easier choosing positive choices.

My greatest value to the world is leading other peers that have been in my situation or worse and letting them know that "this is our story, this is what we've been through, but we can contribute so much more." We let others put us down so much, but we can make choices to prove them wrong.

Life is what you make it. Yes, we struggle, go through the heat. But that's just to make us a better person. The struggles we go through prepare us for the future that lies ahead.

Let go and receive. Receive and honor all of the gifts and blessings that God has brought your way. Recognize the blessings and let go of the past. Live for another day. I know that you've been through a lot, and I see that. But there are better ways to deal with your past than to keep on digesting it. Don't continue to hold that grudge.

You have to give joy to receive joy. You have to remain positive. Be negative, and negative things are easy to come around. It may seem like you have more negative days than positive. Being positive can give you more power over your life.

What brings me joy? Accomplishing things that I never thought possible. Being a president of my mentor program, doing dance competitions, getting some of my poems published, being on the honor role. Being noticed. Feeling like I'm there and I'm a part of something.

A part of your health is being socially involved in your community. Being connected to other people makes you feel wanted. It makes you feel like it's not just you in the world. You have someone else to lean on. You have someone to share your story with, to write a poem to. You have someone that has your back no matter what.

We need to realize that we ourselves are powerful beyond measure. When we connect to our community, we open ourselves to infinite possibilities.