More Than a Number

Deep in the spring of my 8th grade year, and I remember the occurrence with the same vividness as it were yesterday. I sat in my 8th grade Language Arts class doing my work as my teacher was passing out 3rd marking period report cards. Growing up, my parents would always be particularly strict about the grades we would bring home, expecting nothing less than a 91 at all costs. My teacher came to my desk and gave me my report card. Algebra I- 93, eh guess that’ll do. 8th grade social studies- 89. Wait, did I see that right? My mind went into a panic what would I tell my parents? Why hadn’t I checked genesis in weeks? I thought to myself if I couldn’t handle 8th grade, how on earth could I handle high school come September? Today, I think upon that moment and chuckle at the pure innocent ignorance that consumed me. To think that  a number could ever truly capture my knowledge in anything. Unfortunately, our world is overwhelmed with numbers depicting who we are and what we know. From SAT scores, to class rank, to admission tests. We must emancipate ourselves from the disambiguation that any individual can ever be captured as a simple organism. Unshackle ourselves from the notion that labels can ever accurately define who we are. Each and every single one of us here are infinitely complex in our own way, hold entire galaxies in your minds. You all hold your own personal life events and endless stories in your tale. Do NOT ever let anyone condescend your true unique nature. For every single one of your are a fleeting work of art that no moment can every truly capture.