Sorry for the month long hiatus lovely readers! It’s been a busy past months but I’m pleased to announce that during my University of Toronto National Scholarship week I met a wonderful person that I call my friend and blogging buddy! Her name’s Lara and you can go check her website out here: http://larawhatley.com/

Anyway without further adieu, Lara came up with a few questions that I’m going to answer:

Lara: What is your biggest passion?

I think my biggest passion is to look for the good in people and their stories, and the beauty of the world we live in. This comes through writing, reflecting, talking to people, creating art, and constantly immersing myself in new environments to empathize with others. I love helping others too which also sprouts from that passion!

Lara: Why do you blog?

One of the main reasons that catapulted me on this incredible journey was my experience with bullying. At that time, my parents and my friends weren’t supportive so I felt completely alone. During that time, writing was what really grounded me and kept me going and got me to appreciate the small things of life. Thereafter, I decided to go public and share with others after I realized so many people felt alone for some aspect of their life. That’s what led me to where I am today, though I don’t have the same experience as I did four years ago, the mission is still the same: to inspire and connect with individuals through our stories.

Lara: 3. Why do you write?

Hmm. I write because it’s a form of expression that I can pour myself into without feeling self conscious. I write because I enjoy how easy it is to make a piece of art. I write because I want to change the lives of those who read my work. I want to enlighten others with my experiences and make them feel when they read writing. There are obviously so many more reasons of why I write, but honestly writing is fantastic and I’ll leave it at that 🙂

Lara: Who or what inspires you?

Love and injustice. Love is what brought me here, nurtured me, and allowed me to thrive. From the compassion of my family and friends for support, to selfless strangers, and the impact of generations before that I could receive education, health care, and basic human rights inspires me every single day to give all I have and more. Love itself is what empowers me when times are tough and heals my own pain to allow me to discover that I’m not the only one and that we are all one and the same. We feel the same emotions and maybe just meters away or an ocean away there are people suffering from injustice or a lack of love. Honestly though there are so many people who inspire me, to name a few: my parents, Mr. Pocock & Ms. Rakkar (my teachers), Dr. Albert, Dr. Butterworth, Malala, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Florence Nightingale, and many more people who society does not know but their hard work does not go unnoticed by me: Alnerdo and Marie from El Trapiche to all those who toil in nothing but their labour because they are trapped in the inescapable cycle of poverty, you inspire me…

Lara: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I see myself finishing up medical school or a masters degree in the global health or humanitarian sector. It’s tough to exactly know but I really want to become a pediatrician either working in oncology in my hometown or working overseas with Doctors without borders and fighting for access to education + global health!

Lara:  What is one piece of advice you would give to your grade nine self?

To keep an open mind and never judge anyone or anything before completely understanding or experiencing it yourself. People will surprise you. They will exceed your expectations and blow your mind, and yes they might disappoint you. But the greatest thing is that they will help you uncover yet another mysterious thing about life you did not seem to think of before. Always give the benefit of the doubt. This quote by Mother Teresa is absolutely correct:

“People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

            If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

            If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

           If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

            What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

            If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

            The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

         In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.”