Saturday is April 20.
If this date means anything to you, there are a couple ways you could be celebrating. With the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado, it may be a day of commemoration and appreciation for weed. Others may stick some candles in a cake for a man who killed thousands of my people.
But for me, Saturday is not about getting high or celebrating the birthday of a horrible man. Instead, it’s a day for me to step back and truly appreciate all the amazing aspects of my life.
Fourteen years ago, two boys were said to be celebrating the German dictator’s birthday. By the end of the day, they killed 13 people including themselves.
Four years ago, I learned about one of the girls who was killed that day in the Columbine High School shooting, Rachel Scott.
A representative for Rachel’s Challenge, an organization started by Rachel’s parents to help empower teens around the world and combat bullying, came to my high school and spoke about her legacy of starting a chain reaction of kindness. Learning about Rachel, who was 17, and how she lived her life with kindness, compassion and an open heart has changed my life.
That day at the school assembly, it was as if she were speaking directly to me, and to this day, I carry those words with me and still feel the same goosebumps I felt hearing her story just thinking back on it.
I’ve learned so much more from her than doing simple, random acts of kindness for others. Because of her, I’ve adapted to a certain lifestyle. As I tell my friends, I live my life in four-hour time spans. This stems from learning from Rachel to savor every moment as best as I can. I don’t try to think too far ahead and plan everything out.
Instead, I like to live for right now. Learning about her has made me stress less because at the end of the day, whatever I’m stressing about probably doesn’t matter in the long run. No exam or paper is worth the inner turmoil in the face of the rest of my life.
I also started to truly love the people around me and show how much I appreciate them. I tell my friends and family I love them every day, usually at the most random times, just so they know.
Rachel’s words continually play in my head: I won’t be labeled as average.
On the days when I feel down, I remember those words she wrote on the front of her journal, which was in the backpack she was wearing when she was killed. I’ve never felt happier or more empowered. As each year passes since learning about Rachel, I’ve achieved bigger and bigger goals and have followed my dreams all the way to UF and soon to New York City and hopefully London, and I feel like Rachel is with me on my journey, feeling more proud of me than myself and my parents combined.
Although I learned about her story at a time when I needed it most, it still resonates with me loud and clear.
Rachel wanted to touch people’s hearts.
Well, I can confidently say my life changed four years ago, and every day, I make sure it stays alive.
I encourage everyone to learn more about Rachel Scott, especially on a day like 420.
Forget about fighting for the further legalization of marijuana for a day and remember to be kind to someone.
Call up someone you love, and let them know what he or she means to you. If you have to study for an exam, take a deep breath. And if you are having a bad day, just remember you are not average.
Devon Abelman is a journalism junior at UF.
