I have always thought that becoming wise when we are older is one of life’s cruel jokes. I mean, if we all knew then, what we know now, how differently would our lives have been? But then again, it’s probably all the mistakes we made while young, that makes one wiser with age.

I wouldn’t want to be a teenager again if you paid me. It was the most difficult time of my life. As I look back, there are so many situations that I could give advice on. But I will only focus on one.

I dropped out of school when I was a Sophomore in High School . Not because I wanted to, but because I was bullied. I had endured being picked on for many years. These tormenters had me living in fear, took away the little self-esteem that I had, and deprived me of the opportunity to walk across the stage of that High School and feel the excitement and pride of graduation day.

The most important advice I would give to that teen version of myself is to remember that the reason you are being bullied has nothing to do with you. You are NOT the problem! Bullies tend to single out those that they feel won’t defend themselves or get easily upset. Not allowing them to see how upset you are and standing up to them often takes away their power. And reach out for help. Don’t suffer in silence!

I did get my GED a few years later. I then obtained a certificate in Data Entry. At the age of 56, I graduated from the University of Phoenix with an Associates Degree in Art. I finally got to walk across the stage and receive my diploma, with my children and grandchildren watching.