TIB essay: I believe words make you stronger Different, damaged, worthless, lost, they've called me all sorts of things. I believe that no matter what your name is, those words only make you stronger. There is always that one person who finds joy in putting you down and watching you fall. But what they don't expect is for you to stand up and fight. They don't expect you to stand up for yourself, stand your ground, and catch yourself when you're about to fall. And that's exactly what you do. I remember every time I was bullied. It was when I was younger and sometimes even now I hear little whispers or someone tries to break me. By eighth grade I had had enough of the whispers, threats, and harsh words. The counselors weren't helping me, they were pretending to care and know my pain, but they don't. This girl took pride in giving me a hard time. Every day it was the same thing. Going to school, going out with friends, having fun, being teased and bullied, leaving school almost in tears with my hood up. He always said what was wrong, what he didn't think a girl shouldn't do. He did this every day, every single opportunity he had to make sure I wasn't happy. She always had a high opinion of herself and her "magnolium". They followed her everywhere, agreed with everything she said, and did whatever she told them. One day they were coming towards me, I looked at my friends and they looked scared. I said go, I could handle it myself. I didn't want them to get hurt. But what I didn't know was that I would stop him that day. Stop everything, forever. Make sure he never hurts anyone else. Here she comes. I remember every word he said like it was yesterday. he immediately started insulting me as if he had been waiting for it all day. “ well look what we have… in the middle of the paper… take action. Who you need to be. It's your life, don't let them choose your life for you. The things they say shouldn't bring you down. It just makes you stronger. The words that come out of their mouths, the actions they take, don't be afraid. You are fearless and strong, no matter what others say. You've come this far, you can move on. That day I came home with a giant smile on my face and proudly handed my father the punishment sheet. I told him the story and he looked at me with so much pride. Not because of the detention, but because I stood up for myself. If I had never defended myself, I wouldn't be who I am today. I learned to defend myself physically and figuratively. Those words, said the girl, had demoralized me. Then I decided they wouldn't do it anymore. I decided that those people and what they said were wrong. What they said only made me stronger.