Colie's Journey (long version)

Colie walked along the shore line feeling sand between her toes. She loved spending time with her family down at the beach. The stresses of high school drama hit her pretty hard. She truly wanted to see all of her friends happy but, with someone always mad at someone else, it was difficult for her to be the peacemaker. Now one of her dilemmas was that she strongly disagreed with some of her friend's parents' views and morals. How does a 14 year old fight parents?

Using her plastic fork to push chicken and rice around her Chinese food take out container, she didn't even realize she wasn't really hungry. She thought that having so much time to think would help but it didn't. Without school, she only had more time to worry. Colie's main concern was that her friends were treated unjustly. It wasn't fair that kids did not have a voice within their family.

Not all prisoners are in a cage. Not being free to express yourself is a prison. Being afraid to show your flaws and imperfections, can make you feel trapped. Colie was free to express herself and her parents encouraged her to do whatever made her happy. Singing in chorus as well as performing in local theater was her creative outlet. Many of her friends did not have any way to express individuality or feelings.

"I don't want to tell my friends to reject their family's values or rebel against any lifestyle. I just think that there should be some sort of discussion over things. If someone prefers music over sports they should at least be able to speak their mind and not just be forced to play football. If someone feels like they are treated differently from their siblings, there should be a safe environment to discuss it with parents."

"Cole, I understand what you are saying and how you feel, I agree with you 100%, BUT...if you could achieve that goal you would be able to achieve world peace. If more people would listen and genuinely care about those around them the world would be a better place. If people would stop imposing their own feelings and beliefs onto others, we would see so many more happy people. But, can you see that YOU are trying to impose your values and beliefs onto others? Perhaps each friend has to go through their own journey to get their personal rights?"

Colie said nothing, just had more to think about. By the end of her beach visit she figured she could not change everyone but, should could support her friends as they found their own way. She could live with that.