I don\u2019t want to write the story of my life. Actually, I\u2019m not sure that you will read even about this short, albeit significant episode of my life journey. I\u2019ve decided to write about this moment because I really want to memorize it. I want to share the story about one car ride that has changed the way I see myself and the people around me.<\/p>\n
I was 14 years old, and the whole world was a mystery to me. After vacations in the mountains, my mother, our friends, and I were on the way home. The leader of our tourist group, Damien, had a nice van where all of our company could sit comfortably. I volunteered to sit in the front seat. That was an honorable mission: although I had no opportunity to join the fun (my friends were singing songs in the backseat with guitar accompaniment), I was responsible for our safety. It was a long drive, and I had to keep conversation with Damien going for six hours so he wouldn\u2019t fall asleep while driving.<\/p>\n
Damien is an extraordinary person. He is a born leader who is ready to share his endless positive energy with everybody. He seemed to me so wise and experienced, although he was only 27 years old. I knew that our six-hour conversation was going to be interesting, but I didn\u2019t expect that it could be life-changing.<\/p>\n
The weather was perfect for summer: we had to hide our eyes behind sunglasses, but beautiful green landscapes flashing behind the van\u2019s windows were our reward. Soft radio music was a great addition to this relaxed sunny atmosphere.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t remember the exact moment when our chatter turned into philosophical conversation, when jokes were replaced by citations from poetry and classic literature, and when the daylight gave way to the shining stars.<\/p>\n
Maybe, the first important, though simple, question posed by Damien was: \u201cAre you happy?\u201d Actually, I wasn\u2019t. I had a loving family and friends, but at the same time, I felt so insecure and vulnerable. I was afraid of communicating with my peers, and for good reason. School years were tough for me because of constant bullying. My classmates laughed at my glasses, my braces, and my freckled face. Their laughter made me think that I was ugly and didn\u2019t deserve to be an equal member of their community. That\u2019s why I have never thought about the people my age as possible friends. They have always been a threat to me. Although I understood that I wasn\u2019t the reason for this aggression and misunderstanding, my subconscious gave birth to new worries every day.<\/p>\n
Damien didn\u2019t know about these circumstances. However, he said something I\u2019ll never forget: \u201cThere will always be people who won\u2019t be able to understand you, even when you try to be understood. Remember: that\u2019s not your problem. Your life and self-confidence shouldn\u2019t depend on people who are not smart or patient enough to take a closer look at you and see how beautiful, kind, and smart you are. Look around: Mike is 25, Alice is 24, I\u2019m 27 years old, and all of us take you as an equal. We are proud to be your friends.\u201d Those words turned my whole world upside down. I looked at myself through the eyes of those amazing people I loved and respected. And I saw someone who is also worth friendship and respect.<\/p>\n
Seven years have passed since this car ride. My life has changed a lot, along with my worldview and appearance. Still, I can\u2019t forget the laughing eyes of my dear friend and his words. Thank you, Damien.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I don\u2019t want to write the story of my life. Actually, I\u2019m not sure that you will read even about this short, albeit significant episode of my life journey. I\u2019ve decided to write about this moment because I really want to memorize it. I want to share the story about one car ride that has changed the way I see myself and the people around me. I was 14 years old, and the whole world was a mystery to me…. <\/p>\n