Read Stand Strong: You Can Overcome Bullying (and Other Stuff That Keeps You Down) for Free Online

respect that opinion), but I believe in Nick and how he inspires me. I’ve started teaching myself psychology, and then I’ll teach myself other subjects. I’ve made my own website about my conditions and it offers advice, and I have a blog as well. Many people tell me that I inspire them already, but I want to do more—I want to inspire people just like Nick. I also have a “journal,” so I can look back at it later on in life and reflect, or use it to help me help others. I’m not an inspiration yet, but, hopefully, one day, I can help others, I can make my mum proud, and eventually be an inspiration, because that’s what I want—I want someone to say to me “Because of you, I didn’t give up on my dreams.”
    Isn’t that precious? I would correct only one thing Melissa wrote in that letter: she is an inspiration. Her story makes me want to be an even better person, so that makes her a life changer too!
    The Power of Choice
    Melissa chose to take responsibility for her own happiness and her own life. She is a very wise and mature young woman. I wish I’d had her wisdom when I first began dealing with bullies in my school years. If a bully said something hurtful, I let it hurt me. If he called me a freak, I saw myself as a freak. If a bully told me that no girl would ever like me, I believed it.
    I wasn’t strong. I didn’t take responsibility for my own happiness or self-esteem. I just didn’t get it at that point, and as a result, I fell into despair and had suicidal thoughts that eventually prompted some very unwise actions. I tried to commit suicide once because bullies had convinced me there was no hope. Another time I let a bully goad me into a fight on the playground.
    I wised up in high school. Bullies and cruel people still hurt my feelings and made me angry. I couldn’t help that. But eventually, I learned to control my responses to bullies. Instead of lashing out or fleeing in tears, I assessed the situation with more thought. I tried to understand where each bully was coming from. Sometimes that was impossible. You can’t always read a bully’s motivations. Some of them are deeply troubled or just plain mean.
    Please, don’t ever let a bully “make” you do anything. Take responsibility and take charge. Respond to the bully in whatever way serves you best—don’t take the bait, whatever it may be.
    When I was in elementary school, I took the bait hook, line, and sinker. The bullies got their hooks in me, and it tore into my soul. Don’t make that mistake, because it will tear you up too—and that’s just what the bully wants.
    I nearly took my own life after being hooked by the lie that I was a worthless freak with no future. Lies can kill you, but only if you let them into your heart. Don’t let them in. Welcome the truth instead, the truth that you were perfectly created by God and delivered to this earth to serve Him and His purpose.
    You are loved, and you have no idea what He has in store. Your value is not determined by anything related to your appearance. It’s all about what resides inside your heart and soul.
    I didn’t feel like I had much power when I was a kid. To me, adults had power and kids didn’t. Teachers had power. But God had power on standby for my use. I never thought that I had it, but it was there. I’d just never claimed it.
    Here are suggestions that can help you unleash your own power of choice.
    Step 1: Get in the Driver’s Seat
    When I tell you to get in the driver’s seat, I mean this metaphorically of course. You may not be old enough to drive yet, but even if you are, this step isn’t about driving a car; it’s about accepting the responsibility to be the driving force in your ownlife. If you want to be happy and successful—whatever your definition of success might be—you have to tap the power within you to create the life you want, no matter what happens to you. This is a really cool concept. It’s sort of like a secret power that keeps you