Everyone!

I normally do NOT make threads but I so badly feel the urge to do so now.

I've been called so many names for saying what I feel and for simply caring about the people within this site! I am constantly saying that you kids should think in a more positive way as I have in my times of sadness. Though thinking someone else has it worse than you might not work for you, try WATCHING it.

Last night I was laying in my bed talking on the phone. Conversation went COMPLETELY dead because I could NOT BELIEVE WHAT I WAS WATCHING. I know it's something everyone has heard about...Feed The Children. If you think YOUR life is so damn horrible turn that on. See the children STARVING, no better yet DYING. It's funny how their lives are a complete MESS yet they can find it some where within themselves to smile and even play.

Next time you come on this board or walk around talking about how pitiful your life is and how horrible the world is to you, turn on the TV and THEN come back and tell me about your problems.

****The reason I even started this thread was because of ONE particular girl on the show...she was paralyzed from the waist down and she was confined to a very small room. Her mother passed HIV down to her, she lost a brother to it, and had another new born sibling who had it as well and like everyone else in her area, she was HUNGRY! With all this she had the most precious smile. How can a 12 year girl go through such trauma and STILL find the strength to smile. The people from Feed The Children took her out of the room and into the sun to play and the smile on her face was PRICELESS. So it surprises me how we can complain about our lives when we haven't even seen half as bad as it could get.

This is in no way a thread to start conflict...just food for thought!

Although I agree, I think that helping everyone who needs it is important, regardless of how dire their situation. A minute spent typing in here isn't a minute I'd otherwise spend saving children in Africa.

Getting perspective certainly is important, but just because a problem isn't as vast and crushing as poverty doesn't meant that it is insignificant or that it doesn't require attention.

When someone is mad because they have frigin braces or because their parents won't let them date...these problems are BIGGER. The issues MOST of these kids here have are simply regular teenage problems. And the problems of those starving children in my opinion over rules MOST damn issues these teens have.

Natalie, I think you give very good, honest advice, and for that, I have the utmost respect for you, and I agree that it can always be worse. I try telling people that all the time.

But Sean is right, that all problems should have an adequate amount of attention, even if they do sound stupid to me and you, they probably feel rather important to the person who needs help.

Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with you.

Especially about the braces... I nearly puked when I thought about how insipid that argument was. But the point is, if someone posts a thread here, and we decide to respond, we need to do it respectfully, and give them the advice their seeking. For whatever reason, the braces person has some sort of self-esteem/image issue that makes them so insecure they decided to tell strangers that they are depressed because of getting braces. The braces are not important. The self-esteem issue might be.

I'm all for giving my advice (thoughts and opinions) as I do almost every day...but the problems these kids are facing, dating, fighting, parents, are really silly...and if they looked out side of their bubble and saw other peoples problems their own would begin to look like small patatoes. I'm not cutting down anyone...when anyone is having trouble with a guy/girl, parents, school...I'm willing to share my thoughts and do my best to help but that doesn't change the fact that when I see shows like Feed The Children and see WORSE problems, teen problems fade from my mind.

Natalie, I used to argue with you a lot of the time becuase of your advice, but now I am a tad bit older, I respect your advice and views. and I once again totally agree with you on this post. Some children have no home, no family, no toys, yet they still smile and play and laugh.Your mum grounded you. So you're going to slit your wrists up. Come on. Deal with it.

"I am constantly saying that you kids should think in a more positive way as I have in my times of sadness."
WOW thats the nicest thing ive ever heard you say! You never say your comments like that! wow! im proud!

I agree 100% with you on this one Natalie. Woo. My names Natalie too ^_^.

Anyway, It's true. Though your life may seem crappy, Think of kids who are starving for food and trying there hardest to survive.

I know I used to come on this section and complain about my life and so on. But, I've realised it does no good. What's the point in ranting and raving about all your problems to strangers? And even though everyone in some point in there life will go through some sort of pain. You just have to think of the people who are going through worse situations.

Complaining about your boyfriend dumping you when you're only 12-16 or your parents grounding you. Or friends saying mean things about you behind your back, That's nothing. I'm only 17, And I have been through alot, Maybe not as much as some people have, But I have been through alot. Try finding your own brother dead. But still, Somehow I try to think of other people who have gone through worse than that. And I still try and go on each day with a smile. =]

The worlds bigger than you think. And when you think you've gone through something tough, Wait untill you get alot older, It's gets harder. Anyways, Sorry if I went into this a bit too much. I just wanted to share my piece. =]

`Taleee

This is probably another thread that I'd sticky if I could

And if you could... I'd think you should.

Natalie - It's just good to see your positive attitude!

Natalie - Thank you =] ..Tehe..It's weird saying my own name.

I thought so too...felt like I was talking to myself..lol

I agree 100% with you. I feel people don't overall uderstand this concept. For example; four years ago someone tried to rape me, and only a couple close people know. My step sister was abused when she was very young, and took responsibility very early in life. (Taking care of her other sister.) Now one day, the youngest step sister came home, completely miserable. She says "God I hate my life, it is so horrible." I asked her why, she says people at school made fun of her over her new t-shirt, and she still had to do the dishes from the night before. I shook my head and said to her, "Omg, you are so selfish. What more do you want. You have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food, clean water, you go to school. You think life is bad to you. Some people don't have anything, except rags. And you're miserable over the fact of dishes, and someone making fun of your shirt. My god." She got mad, and COULD NOT understand why I was pissed at her. She kept saying, well I a, thankful for that, yeah. And then me and my other step sister got emotional and told her how lucky she was to have all that, and nothing bad ever happening to her. She knows something bad happened to me, but not what, and by who. And it just makes me sick that people are so revolved about their looks, and position in society. I think people only ever real realize who lucky they are until they lose something precious to them. It is quite sad.

True Bob...

I've told this story a million times and would LOVE to share it again because it made me feel oh so good!

A woman who does lots of charity work lets my office help her around Christmas time. Well a few years back we got a family who had NOTHING. They used a hammer and nail to open cans and the kids had hardly any clothes. She told us of a teacher approaching her about the boys. One day one of the boys had a new pair of shoes and she made a big fuss telling him how cool they were...then the next day the little boy wasn't there. When he returned to school the following day the teacher asked if he was sick and he replied, "No, it was my brother's turn to wear the new shoes" -- needless to say we bought them some more...so they could go to school on the same days. When I see things like this, your damn right my problems seem so PETTY. Anyhow...I suppose I've rambled enough.

I agree, everytime my brother or I refuse to eat or complain or beg about something, he says, "Look at those people in Africa, you should be more thankful. Maybe we should send you there."

Natalie, thank you for posting this, as I have had my tad of that.

but as bob said, one shold not go to the third world to see it.

If I may add something, it's an excersice i've been doing, or rather a will excersice, trying doing something each day with a handicap. I mean by that, one day, for one hour you walk around your house with your eyes closed, that is the feeling of a blind man, next day to the same but this time try only using one hand.. and so on and so forth.

not only does this excersice strengthen your will power but it also makes you put yourself in these people's possition, maybe then you will not complain about life.

^^^ That's a really great idea.