Malala Day

When I listen to Malala Yousufzai speak, I am moved to tears every time. Today, July 12th, which has been declared Malala Day by the United Nations on Malala’s 16th birthday, I am particularly moved because instead of revenge, she wishes education for the terrorists who shot her. I try all the time to find enough love for the world just to get through the day without complaining about something. This little girl puts me to shame. How many of us really (and I mean REALLY) stand behind our beliefs. How little does it take to steer us off course? I think about her courage to stand up for what is right, despite the fact that she has truly suffered for it. I think about what I could possibly be scared of and how that could possibly be worse than getting shot in the head. Let’s face it, most days I’m worried about being embarrassed or hurt or whether or not someone likes me. Although these fears seem so petty, they do truly form ideas in my head about what I should and shouldn’t do. She is so inspirational to me. A young girl doing things that in almost 3 of her lifetimes, I have not come close to achieving. Not everyone may know who she is now but I believe in the future, we will know her name like we know the name of Mother Theresa. She is one of the few individuals who really make me proud to be a human being.

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