Hello friends,

This is anon and I would like to spend a moment to explain why I have been writing these compliments to people individually. I want everyone to know that there is someone out there who really cares about you. If I didn’t write about you, I’m sorry and I probably just didn’t know you well enough to write you a personal post but that doesn’t matter because you, like everyone else, have many special qualities that you should be proud of. Love and happiness are contagious and I want to share and spread positive thoughts among Troy students as this year is coming to an end. I hope everyone is having a great time, and for those who aren’t, it’s okay because there are always ups and downs in life. When obstacles in life knock you down, it’s important to pick yourself up and move on with confidence. Even if it seems like all hope is lost, there is always light at the end of the tunnel waiting for you, so stay positive and you’ll soon find yourself there. “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

For those of us who are graduating in a few weeks, we will all part in our different paths and our experiences at Troy will soon become only memories of our past. While many of us are excited to leave and go off to college, there aren’t many opportunities left to spend time with most of the people around you on a a regular basis. Sadly, most friends will fade away but the ones closest to you, the ones who really care, will stick around. So treasure the friends who care for you and thank them for being the friend whom they have been for you whether you’ve only known them for a short time, or over the past four years. With that being said, let’s finish this last month of school with no regrets. Hold no grudges against anyone, dispose of your negative feelings towards others, gather up the courage to forgive those who have wronged you because we are all human and we make mistakes. Compliment others their good qualities. What greater joy is there than knowing that you’ve made someone’s day with a few words? Perform a random act of kindness without expecting anything in return. Let me share with you a story to show you why…

“One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.”
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.”
He looked at me and said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face.
It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.
We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes.
We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Darn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn’t me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!
Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you’ll be great!” He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. “Thanks,” he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach … , but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.”
I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his mom wouldn’t have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. “Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.”
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person’s life.
Never give up on your friends. Even if they aren’t as cool as others, or people think they are crazy, they need someone there. If you desert them, you will only be miserable yourself. So if a friend needs you, and you care for them, you can never desert them.”

Finish high school with no regrets. Stay strong and don’t give up on what you are passionate about because in the future, you are more likely to regret missing out on an opportunity that you have right now more than you would regret failing, but knowing that you tried your best. “Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” - Thomas Edison

I would also like to properly thank the admin of this page for creating a way for people to share good thoughts about others publicly yet anonymously. It is truly one of the most brilliant yet simple ideas I’ve seen. Thank you. Again, happiness is a warm and contagious emotion so spread it around! I encourage you to do so by sharing this message on your facebook wall/timeline and/or post it on tumblr. Everyone deserves to be happy. Have a wonderful day everyone -anon