Blog - Teen Charge

5 Reasons Why You (yes, YOU) should join Teen…

By Emily F, Brand Rep

Skill Sharing
- You get to make lots of content from Tiktoks to poetry and you get to use your personal skills to get your messages out.
Great Environment
- The adults running the program are so kind and the teens involved are fun. There is never a dull moment!
Service hours
- Teen CHARGE is a great way to earn service hours because not only do you have meetings every other week, but you also get opportunities to go out and serve in the community.
Amazing Opportunities
- Teens involved in Teen CHARGE are invited to lots of cool events around West Michigan. This year we were given the chance to be interviewed on TV!
Because, why not?
- We are always looking for fun creative teens to share their ideas and stories and you might just make an amazing brand rep!

Are you interested in becoming a Brand Rep for the 2021-22 school year? Fill out the application here! https://bit.ly/3gAiHZ4 Applications for this school year are due September 13th!

Parents

Teens & Social Media pt. 2

By Gina Boscarino, Teen CHARGE Staff

Two years ago (when I wrote the first blog entry in this series), I had no idea how much things were about to change. Within 10 months, the world had shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and social media became a lot more than just a way to pass the time. For many people, social media was the easiest way to stay in touch with family and friends during quarantine; in a time where people felt increasingly isolated, social media provided an opportunity to connect.

This was especially true for teens, many of whom had no opportunity to just chat with other kids their age. A lot of them started to explore different apps and ways of making connections. Some of these (SnapChat, Instagram, TikTok) were already well known to parents, but there are others that adults may not be aware of. In this blog entry, I’m going to talk about three different types of apps that are popular with teens today, as well as potential concerns that parents should know about.

Random Chat Apps

Examples: MeetMe, Holla

Random Chat Apps are exactly what they sound like- apps designed to connect users with other people for text (or more often) video chats. However, not all of these apps are completely random; many of them use GPS to connect you with someone in your area, while others match users based on shared interests.

Any app that matches your adolescent with a complete stranger via video chat, is bound to be problematic. Based on what I’ve heard from the teens I work with, there is a lot of nudity and exposure that takes place on these apps. Because the chats are random, users have no way to vet the person they are about to speak to.

While these apps may seem like harmless fun, not everyone who uses them is looking for innocent conversation. Encourage teens to stay away from these apps in favor of chatting with people they actually know in real life.

2. Livestreaming Apps

Examples: Twitch, Youtube Live, TikTok Live

Apps with live streaming capabilities can present a whole host of problems- from cyber bullying to sexual exploitation. As I talked about in my previous article, the teen brain is especially sensitive to reward. Kids may find themselves doing or saying things they wouldn’t normally do in order get more views, likes, or followers. Predators take advantage of this by offering kids gifts or money to perform sexual acts. Many apps allow viewers to send “donations” to streamers directly through the app.

Of course, these days nearly all social media apps have some kind of live-streaming capability. If your teen or tween wants to try live-streaming, make sure they do it on an app with privacy settings that allow only trusted friends and family to view the video.

3. Self-Destructing Apps

Examples: SnapChat, WhatsApp (using ‘View Once’ settings), Telegram

This one is kind of a broad category, but basically a self-destructing app is any app in which messages disappear (think Snapchat). This opens up a lot of dangerous possibilities, including uses for sexting. And while your child may not be using the app for any nefarious purposes, keep in mind that doesn’t mean that others won’t be. Your child may receive inappropriate photos they didn’t ask for.

Self-destructing messaging apps can also be the source of a lot of drama. Think about how cruel people can be when they’re insulting someone on the internet from behind a computer screen. People can be even worse when they don’t think there’s going to be a record of what they’re saying. I’ve known of several instances where one teen threatened another teen using one of these apps, and even though the incident was reported, there wasn’t much that parents or school staff could do because there was no record to show that the threat actually occurred.

Use your best judgment to decide whether or not to allow your teen to use apps with self-destructing message capabilities. Spend some time talking with them about why and how they plan to use it. Make sure they know that people can still take a screenshot of pictures and messages that are sent through these apps. Above all, let them know what your expectations are, as well as your concerns.

With new apps coming out every day, it’s important for parents to stay informed about the latest trends. For more information, check out the following websites:

commonsensemedia.org

www.protectyoungeyes.com

https://www.internetmatters.org/

Uncategorized

The Empowerment of Positive Self-Talk

What is the last thing you said to yourself about yourself? Was it positive or negative? Or maybe somewhere in between? Were these thoughts constructive or deconstructive? Moving forward, these are important questions to challenge yourself to ask daily. The conscious thoughts we create have a significant impact on our well-being, and over time, they shape us into who we are and what we do.

Positive thinking doesn’t mean ignoring real problems and living in ignorant bliss; it means having the courage to approach any type of situation, even the negative ones, in an efficient and productive way. Let’s face it- negative thoughts always seem to arise as instinct, as we cannot suppress what is human. However, reframing these negative thoughts from “why didn’t I…” into “next time I can…”, will create a world of difference in the home that is our mind.

According to the ¹Mayo Clinic, reframing negative thoughts and incorporating positive ones creates lower depression and distress levels among all age groups, a greater resistance to the common cold (crazy, right?!), and builds better coping skills during hardships and stressful times, among many other benefits. Shifting to conscious, positive thinking can be difficult; after all, you’re creating a new habit. With time, patience, and dedication, this shift is entirely possible even for the most pessimistic thinkers. The Mayo Clinic has also compiled a helpful list of ways to help you shift to more positive thinking. Start small: focus on one area of your life you tend to have negative thoughts towards, whether it be work, school, a relationship, or a personal problem. Until you feel that you’ve become proficient (not perfect) at thinking positively in this area of your life, keep focusing on it! Practice makes permanent, and permanent healthy habits create a healthy life.

After you’ve decided to make the conscious effort to practice positive self-talk, check yourself periodically throughout the day. It sounds silly, but stopping and asking yourself, “What have my thoughts consisted of today?” and “Did these thoughts make me feel good or bad?” can help you stay on the right track to reaching your positive self-talk goals. Surrounding yourself with supportive and helpful people is also part of the commitment to positive thinking. Your thoughts are significantly affected by the comments and actions made by those close to you. A conscious effort to surround yourself with positive people will help you to create a beneficial way of thinking.

Mayo Clinic’s last tip is to actively practice positive self-talk. Don’t think or say something to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Your mind is your space- make it comfortable and a place where you can grow! Pick out a daily affirmation you like, and repeat it to yourself at some point in your day. It’s easiest to incorporate your affirmation into a bedtime or early morning routine. Talking to yourself is a great way to set goals for your day, or reflect upon how the day went.

Shifting the way you think isn’t easy- it’s a process and it will take time. Learning new things is so important to our health, especially learning positive self-talk! We will always have negative thoughts, no matter how much we’ve trained our brains, and that’s ok. However, knowing that we have a way to reframe these thoughts in a positive way is a tool that anyone can use to better their wellbeing. The general goal of positive thinking is to slowly let go of self-criticism, and create more self-acceptance. We have the power within us to create the life, and the mind we choose. Your mind is your home: cherish it, protect it, grow it.

-Written by Cami M, Teen CHARGE Brand Rep

¹Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, January 21). Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950

Teens

Ways to Make the Most of Your Summer

I love this time of year. The weather is FINALLY getting nicer and you have a whole summer of endless possibilities in front of you.

But then mid-August rolls around and you find yourself wondering where all that time went. By the time you go back to school and teachers are asking how you spent your summer, you don’t have a single answer, apart from playing Fortnite or watching 2000 hours of TikTok videos.

Sound familiar?

Here are 6 tips to make the most of your summer.

Take Advantage of Free

One of the best things about summertime is the multitude of free, fun events. Use Google to search for free events in your area. Check out the calendar on your city’s government website. Or go old (ish) school and check Facebook events (after making an account). This is how I usually find out about free festivals, carnivals, live music, and other cool stuff in my area. The Kent District Library constantly has cool events for teens so take a look at their calendar.

If transportation is an issue, stick to things you can walk to. Walk to a friend’s house, a gram-worthy photo location, or just take a walk to the park. See how long it takes you to get there and set a challenge to shave a few minutes off your time each time you go. (This brings us to our next point).

Set a Goal

Summer is the perfect time to set a goal to accomplish something you’ve been wanting to do or learn for a while. Make it challenging but realistic. Run 3 miles, try a different recipe every week, read a book or series (depending on the length of the book). You can also improve on skills you already have by setting aside time to practice each day. Having something to strive for gives you purpose and motivates you to get off the couch and do something.

Even if you are working in the summer, you can set a goal for how much money you are hoping to make or save by August. Start thinking about what you want to do or buy with that money. Write it down or save a picture to remind you.

If you don’t have a job, find a way to make money- offer to mow lawns, baby-sit, walk dogs or anything else that you can do to make money. Or make something you can sell.

Do Something for Someone Else

Helping others is a great way to make an impact on the people around you. It also provides you with a sense of accomplishment and builds confidence. If your school requires volunteer hours, summer is the perfect time to look around and see what groups might need your help. Churches, parks, and non-profit organizations are often looking for volunteers for summer events.

However, helping others doesn’t have to be formal. It can be as simple as bringing in groceries for an elderly neighbor, leaving a kind note for a stranger, or offering to help a friend clean their room. Keep a list of each “good deed” you choose to do, and see how many “random acts of kindness” you can complete by the end of the summer. (No, you may not count watching your younger siblings, doing chores, or anything else an adult has asked you to do).

Practice Self-Care

The school year can be a LOT and summer is a great time to work on building healthy habits and taking care of yourself. A few suggestions: learn new strategies for handling stress; make it a priority to drink enough water; find ways to keep your body active and moving. Be sure to get a healthy amount of sleep and fight the urge to stay up all night and sleep all day. Most importantly, do one good thing that brings you joy every day. Create a piece of art, listen to your favorite song, cuddle with a pet, or just watch the sunset.

Keep your brain fresh

Don’t let your brain turn to mush over the summer. Make it a point to actively use your brain each day by reading, researching a topic, completing a puzzle, or listening to a podcast. Make sure to share the things you learn to help them stick in your mind.

6. Summer Bucket List

Regardless of where you spend your summer or what responsibilities you have, having a list a things you’d like to do over the summer can make you mindful of how you spend your time. It is also extremely satisfying to check things off the list! Start with the very basics and include things that are easy to accomplish: eat an ice cream cone; watch fireworks; have a picnic. Then include some things that may take more work or planning: a trip to Lake Michigan; a ride on a roller coaster; a visit to an out-of-town friend. You don’t have to accomplish everything on the list but at the end of summer, you will have a nice record of the things that you did. And don’t forget to include the goal that you set earlier- it’s going to feel so good to check that off your list!

Teens

Finding Your Spark

A spark is something that that makes you feel alive. It gives you energy and purpose. A spark could be a skill, hobby, personality trait, belief, or interest. A spark comes from within- you know it when you feel it. A spark can change your life AND the lives of the people around you.
Some people already know their spark. Other people are still looking for theirs. At Teen CHARGE, one of our goals is to help students explore and develop their “spark” (or sparks!).

Not sure what your spark is? Ask yourself the following questions:

1. When do I feel most alive and useful?
2. What gives you energy and joy?
3. What gives you purpose?

Interested in discovering your spark or finding ways you can use it to make a difference? Join Teen CHARGE! Fill out an application here: https://forms.gle/4G6dJHCAzQ5JtTik8

Benson, P. L. & Scales, P. C. (2009). The definition and preliminary measurement of thriving in adolescence. Journal of Positive Psychology, 4(1), 95-104

Parents

Back to School Tips for Families

The start of the school year can be stressful. Support your student’s mental health with these simple tips.

Establish the Importance of Mental Health
- Take some time before school starts to talk about the importance of mental health. Let students know that anyone can struggle with their mental health (including parents) and that there is nothing to be ashamed of when seeking help. Remind them that you are there to talk anytime things begin to feel stressful or overwhelming. Return to this conversation throughout the year, or give a reminder any time you feel that it is necessary. Never assume that once was enough! (The same goes for conversations about drugs and alcohol!)

Identify Supports
- Make sure students know who their resources are. For older kids, this could just be a conversation about who their supports are in school and out of school. Ideally, all kids should have at least one trusted adult they can go to if they need help (While parents still have the greatest influence on their kids, teens may find some things difficult to discuss with you.) If your child is especially anxious, it can be helpful to make a list or flowchart together. They can keep it in their backpack or locker so that when big feelings come up, they know where to go.

Schedule Regular Quality Time
- It’s easy for things to go unnoticed with all the busyness of the school year. In addition to regular check ins, make it a priority to spend quality time together. Set up some time each month (or week) where you can reconnect as a family. This could be as simple as playing a board game or having a meal together. Focus on simply spending time together and building relationships; keep the pressure off by allowing kids to share only as they feel comfortable. Even if your child doesn’t care to share, this reminds them that you care and are willing to listen when help is needed.

Demonstrate and Discuss healthy Coping Skills
- Let kids see you utilizing healthy coping skills in your own life, such as calling a family member, prayer, exercise, or going to therapy. Be intentional about letting them know why you’re doing these things. “I’m been feeling really stressed out by some things that happened at work recently so I’m going for a walk to clear my mind.”
- Talk about coping skills and things that work for them. Make sure there are things they have things they can do at school (like counting to 10 or taking deep breaths) and things they can do out of school (like painting a picture or snuggling a pet).
- Practice coping skills or self-care together. Take a walk, give yourselves a pedicure, or check YouTube for videos on breathing strategies, guided imagery, and mindfulness exercises.

Put together a physical Coping Toolbox
- Younger kids or more concrete thinkers might like to put together an actual coping skills toolbox. (Get the directions here https://youtu.be/Y7X966Q1cjI?si=cwUdDHi9_bhd9rXj ). You can even make a mini/travel version that they can keep in their locker.

Familiarize Yourself with Community Resources
- This one is mostly for the parents. Put together some information for yourself about various local agencies, groups, and organizations that provide professional help. Talk to your student’s guidance counselor about the referral process. Be proactive in finding a therapist’s office that fits your values and take your insurance. Many organizations (like Wedgwood Christian Services) specialize in working with adolescents. Gathering information ahead of time ensures that you will be able to get help as quickly as possible, should there be a need in the future.

Lastly, keep in mind that taking care of mental health is an
ongoing process. Everyone faces challenges at one time or another, whether it
is due to life events, seasonal changes, or just fluctuations in brain
chemistry. Empower your student by giving them strategies to work through tough
times, and be sure to let them know that help is available when they need it.

Relationships

Ditch the Drama

Most people will tell you that they don’t like drama- so why do so many of them keep getting caught up in it? Are they lying then they say they don’t like drama?… or are they just really unlucky and can’t seem to get away from it? Either way, it’s important to remember that when it comes to drama, we make the decision about how much we are going to let it into our lives. It may not be possible to avoid ALL drama, but it is possible to minimize it. Check out these 5 tips to help you Ditch the Drama.

Be picky about who is in your friend circle

If I were to ask you to think of someone in your school or grade who is always involved with some type of drama, I have a feeling you could give me a name fairly quickly. These are the people who are best friends with someone one day and enemies the next. They are constantly getting into fights and spreading gossip; when they have a problem with someone, the entire school knows because they tell everyone. If you are looking for a way to cut drama out of your life, start by limiting your interactions with these people. Bonus: they tend to hang out with other people like them, so if you can avoid one, you tend to avoid the entire group. The less you have to do with the group, the less likely you are to get pulled into drama with them.

` 2. Keep it to Yourself

Everyone knows that gossip leads to drama. As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid passing on information that isn’t about you, even if the drama involves you and someone else. This one can be really tough because we like to share our side of the story (and maybe accidentally make ourselves look better). We like it when people agree with us that the other person was in the wrong; maybe we are even hoping our friend will get mad at that person, too. It can be tempting to try to get everybody onto “our” side, but all that does is make the other person more angry, and before you know it, both sides have a team of supporters who are angry at everyone on the other side.

Inviting other people into your situation is the fastest way to ensure that the incident gets spread around, giving others (even those you don’t know) permission to talk about your business. The best way to avoid all of this is to keep it to yourself when you have a problem with someone. If you need to vent, vent to someone who has proven to be trustworthy outside of the group or school. It’s best if they don’t know the person. If people ask you about the situation, tell them politely and respectfully that you would rather not talk about it and change the subject. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

If you have a friend that is involved in drama and other people are asking you what happened, practice saying these words: “It’s not my story to tell.” Spreading someone else’s drama is a sure way to get pulled into it yourself.

3. Kill it with Kindness

This one sounds simple, but it is probably the most difficult: treat every single person with absolute kindness, regardless of how they treat you. You don’t have to be overly friendly or fake, but be NICE. Go out of your way to include people. Apologize when you do the wrong thing. Form a reputation for being the kid who never has a bad thing to say about anyone. Be so nice that people wouldn’t believe it if they DID hear you said something mean.

4. Refuse to Participate

Part of killing it with kindness involves shutting down gossip anytime it comes up. Let people know that you don’t think it’s fair to talk about someone when they aren’t there to defend themselves, no matter who it is or what they did. People might be irritated at first, but you can remind them that you would do the same thing if you heard someone talking about them. When people know that you don’t like to gossip, they won’t come to you with the gossip. You’ll have a reputation as a positive person who doesn’t participate in tearing down others, and it’s hard not to like or respect someone like that.

Trying to maintain this can be difficult, but if you surround yourself with other people who want to avoid drama, it will be much easier.

5. Let it Go

Lastly, learn to let things go. Not every disagreement or perceived slight has to turn into World War III. Cut people some slack. We all say or do thoughtless things sometime. There is no point in ruining a friendship or potential friendship over a look or a careless word. You don’t have to be a doormat, but you also don’t have to be on the defensive 24/7.

Marijuana

The Best Me is Drug Free

Note: This poem was submitted by a local middle school student as part of the Teen CHARGE 2023 Red Ribbon Week Writing Contest. It was selected as the First Place entry for the middle school contest. The prompt given was “The best me is drug-free!”

The Best Me Is Drug Free
We Don't Need Drugs to be Happy

Don't Drink Alcohol                
Remember, If You Do                                               
The Addiction Won't Fall

You don't ever need a Vape
If you use one
It's a mistake

Don't smoke weed
It's not good for you
Even if it comes from a seed

-Ethan, 13

Teens

To Heal

Note: This poem was submitted by a local high school student as part of the Teen CHARGE 2023 Red Ribbon Week Writing Contest. It was selected as the Grand Prize Winner for her school and the overall contest. The prompt given was “The best me is drug-free!” See an author statement below!

There is something terribly charming in your demeanor, and maybe
it’s the substance, or those sluggish, dancing shadows
upon your face, or the incessant, pulsing music.
Likely, it’s some grand intertwining of the three.
Purity, misery, decay -- all fluids strands of the same braid,
attached sternly to the fragile vitality of your wit.
And you’re not stupid -- no, you’re acutely aware of
The colossal significance of this endeavor.
You’re calculated. You’ve thought it out: “I’ll stop tomorrow, when the weather’s nice.
It’d be a shame to waste tonight. It’s dark, and it’s miserable,
and it’s cold, and I just wish to be warm again.”
You’re organized. You catalog these bouts of self destruction like a grocery list:
Apples, milk, eggs, toilet paper, a heavy, aching blow to the head.
Some days, it feels like justice. Today it is just routine.
You worry, too. You’re sick, and you’re afraid
you’ll go your whole life without saying it out loud.
You make headway. You seek to cure these ailments, but
your Ouroboros efforts are futile. You seek advice from the Righteous Man,
who lacks consolation entirely: “Stop it, please, for me?”
Perhaps you are a stranger in a stolen vessel,
guilty not of theft but of self-detestation.
Life is an unbounded succession of movements against the current;
You’re shivering, sure, but you won’t drown.
It’s cold, and it’s raining, and
there’s a hawk ahead, and the riptide is unabating --
but in the midst of this flourishing terror, you are spit hastily from the mouth of the harbor.
And suddenly, marvelously, you are struck by
the primitive beginnings of a grotesque transformation.
You are consumed by a vast appreciation -- some humble recognition of
the undeniable, blooming spirit of your creation.
You’re dry now, clear-headed and whole -- realizing only presently the
affliction you’ve gained and subsequently lost, and
the divine struggle that inevitably awaits you.
Impossibly, remarkably, you are grateful to have felt it at all.

-Kiri, age 17

Author Statement: By sharing this poem, I wish to instill hope in those that may be struggling — whether that struggle be related directly to the prompt or not. The writing itself is, of course, open to interpretation — but I hope each reader is able to derive from it a positive message!

Teens

Lonely

The piece below was written by a local middle school student who was struggling to feel accepted by her peer group. If you’ve ever felt this way, know that you are not alone!!! We all may go through days or seasons where we don’t feel like we belong. But it won’t be that way forever. Someday you will find the people who make you feel cared about and included. You are awesome and you deserve to experience true friendship.————

Lonely

I realized I might need a new friend group. Most of them know of my past and I am questioning whether or not they care. Other people dislike me for my past…so why are any of them different? They are people, and so are those that dislike me. Why not? Why not be a person who gets over some thing that someone has changed? Why is a question. So why not dislike me? It’s common amongst people. They know I‘ve changed. It doesn’t always seem like it, though.

I’m ALWAYS the one to start a convo. Nobody asks how I am or what’s on my mind. I ask to hang out. I pick up the phone, I made our group, I HAVE DONE SO MUCH! Why act as if I don’t matter?

Simply because, I don’t. I’m a weird, short, lonely, kid with a terrible past. But that doesn’t take away the fact that I AM HUMAN. Why ignore me? Why hate me? Why not believe I have changed, why not believe I’m nice? Why not believe I’ve grown? I have not many good friends but I am lonely. Friends are supposed to keep you happy. Not feel lonely. I think I need new friends.

Do you have a piece of writing you’d like to share with us? Send it to teencharge@wedgwood.org.

Substance Abuse

Dumping the Vape

Lately, I’ve been talking to more and more teens who are all facing the same problem: they just can’t seem to quit vaping.

For many of them, it started as a way to escape stress; unfortunately, their increasing dependence on nicotine (along with the toll on their physical bodies) has only caused more stress. Many of them tell me that they’ve tried to quit, but weren’t able to make it very long.

That part is not surprising. Nicotine is considered one of the most addictive substances on the planet. According to the University of California San Francisco, “Nicotine has proven to be just as addictive as cocaine and heroin and may even be more addictive.” It’s no wonder that people have a hard time quitting.

The good news is that it really is possible. Just like a soldier going into battle, you need to arm yourself with the right equipment (tools) and make preparations to call in your troops when you need assistance. Here are a few places to start:

Enlist your Troops

One of the most important things a person can do with any goal, is find others who will hold them accountable. It’s a lot harder to change your mind about doing something when you know you have people who are going to be asking about your progress.

Choose a few people that you know will support in your goal. Friends are great, but it’s important to have some adults, too. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your parent or guardian, try talking to your doctor, a therapist, or a school guidance counselor.

2. Make a Battle Plan

Set up a plan for how you are going to reach your goal. This plan should include the things you will do to avoid triggers, actions to take during cravings, and reminds of why you are quitting. You can make your own or create one here: https://teen.smokefree.gov/quit-plan

3. Get rid of your vapes/juuls/juices/pods

It’s gonna be just that much harder to quit if you still have your stuff. Throw it away!

4. Utilize online resources

One of the greatest things about living in an increasingly connected world is the availability of resources! If you’re looking to quit or need assistance, you can chat with a professional online or call a helpline. There are also specific apps you can download that will check your progress, provide tips, and help you get back on track when you slip up. Some of them even have games and challenges you can use to distract yourself (we recommend the quitSTART app by Smokefree Teen). Don’t want to download an app? You can also sign up for free text messages from several different organizations. Check out any of the websites below for more information:

https://teen.smokefree.gov/become-smokefree/quitstart-app

https://truthinitiative.org/thisisquitting

https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking

https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/guide/index.html

It’s not easy to break a habit, especially one that is so incredibly addicting. You may slip up or make a mistake, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop trying. Quitting is a process, but you will get there eventually. We believe in you!

Gina Boscarino, Prevention Specialist and Teen CHARGE Program Manager

Teens

Enough

We all have days where we feel like we just don’t measure up. We find ourselves comparing our lives to someone else’s, or wishing that we were taller/stronger/smarter etc. But the truth is that you are exactly who you were meant to be- and you are enough. Check out the following piece, written by Teen CHARGE staff member Steve. We hope it will remind you of just how awesome you are!