Tiana Smith: The Journey Of Self Discovery In My Life

In life people come and go. It is just the natural process of the human existence. Different people can teach different things in the journey of self discovery. I was ten years old when I took my first step onto the school bus, thus beginning my first major transition from elementary to middle school. One million thoughts were racing through my head, such as how many teachers did I have, what time did I eat lunch, what was my first class, and of course who would I sit by on the bus. I looked for the first available seat and sat down not knowing all the memories, tears, love, and pain I was going to share with this stranger sitting next to me. What was at first an awkward bus ride quickly escalated into a long lasting friendship. My best friend, Tiana Smith, has impacted my life and my self growth. She has taught me that it is ok to have and show my emotions, to stay strong in my faith with God, and to just be myself.

Tiana has taught me that it is ok to be myself under whatever circumstance. Ever since I can remember, I have been told that I am supposed to act a certain way because of where I come from. I have to listen to categorical types of music, wear my hair in a particular type of way, and dress in a certain type of clothing. When I was younger everyone used to tell me that I acted to “white” or that I “was not black enough” because I listened to pop music rather than rap and wore my hair straight instead of “natural”. I used to go home and try to morph myself into someone I was not, but Tiana encouraged me to be the person that I truly am in spite of everything. No one can hide their personality, you are who you are. I constantly remind myself of the bible verse Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.” If God has made me and each and every one of us on this earth extraordinary, then why try to hide ones true