Have you ever wanted that “change” in your life? What if you are that “change”?
Sebastian was a 15 year old high school student in St. Mark School of Manila. He has a lovely mother but a tough dad and he is also an only child. All the attention was down to him. He was honestly a very innocent person who just wants to get high grades and make his parents proud. But of course, like any other teenager going through high school life, he was very conscious with his status. Out of nowhere, from being alone during breaks and no one to talk to, one guy went up to him and told him that they wanted him to join the group with the popular guys. Sebastian said yes of course because that would really increase his status. Sebastian is one lucky kid especially that this group of boys wouldn’t usually accept or ask anyone to join their group. Even though they are the most popular group of the school, they are not popular for good things but for many bad things. Sebastian was unaware of the bad things they do but he only knew that they were really the cool ones.
On his first day with them during lunch break, he was very nervous because he didn’t want to humiliate himself to them. He was seated with them and all they did was interview Sebastian to get to know him better. After asking personal things, they told him the rules. Those rules were the following:
1. This group before anyone else.
2. Know how to keep a secret.
3. If you’re not popular, get out.
4. Every guy in the group must do what everyone does.
5. Protect your status.
After hearing all of these rules, Sebastian was really worried. Those rules are not how he is. But again, he would love to stay in the group that he didn’t care and followed those rules anyways. He started to change into a bad person just like the group. He started to do drugs a lot, break school rules and even his grades we’re getting lower. No one expected Sebastian to be how he is now.
One day when he got home after school, his parents were so worried about him that they decided to talk to him about how he was doing. They explained how his grades were getting lower, they also mentioned that teachers were calling them about his conduct in class and they also found out about the naughty things he’s been doing with his new group. Sebastian did not show interest at all when the parents were talking and they found it really disrespectful that they decided to ground him and not allow him to hang out with the group anymore. Sebastian did not take the issue gently and he started shouting at his parents saying that they are stupid for making such decision and he won’t even follow it because rule #1 of the group says “This group before anyone else.” His parents didn’t like the fact that he answered back saying harsh words to them that they told him to go up to his room and pray to help him realize all his actions. While Sebastian was in his room, he was still full of anger. He didn’t care about anything the parents said.
After a while, he was just lying down trying to calm down and then suddenly, he looked at the cross hanging on his wall. That made him remember his goal in life, and that goal was to make his parents proud. He did not just remember his goal but he also noticed that he became a bad person. He was very disappointed about how he has changed and treated his loved ones. He wanted to make up for all that he did that he also realized that there is a better change he can be.
First day of the week, Sebastian went up this his group of friends and told them, “Guys, don’t you all realize that whatever we are doing is bad. Don’t you all realize that we are just hurting everyone around us. We are honestly pushing away people who love us. Let us stop and be better people”. All the group did was laugh at him and told him that he sounded so weird. They started to tease him about being so good. They also warned him that if he continues to be a good person, they would kick him out. Sebastian was terrified. His status was so good! He was part of the popular side of high school. But gladly, that did not change how he wanted to change. He replied to the threat saying, “I don’t care about the rules anymore because it is all very selfish. I do not care if I get kicked out because I would rather do good than be satisfied. This is my sacrifice and I hope you all follow me.” Sebastian walks away and the whole group just stared at him go because no one has ever quit the group to do good things.
Sebastian was again alone with no group and no one to be with during breaks and etc. But after a few weeks later, they all went up to them and said, “Thank you, Sebastian for opening our eyes and for helping us realize that we have potential in doing great things and not bad ones. You made us realize that popularity is not what you need. Sorry for being rude and disrespectful. We hope you forgive us and can be one big group once again.” Sebastian forgave them and they became one big popular group that influenced others to do good.
Anyone can be the change, you just have to realize and believe you are it.
Reflection:
This story was inspired by “Noah’s Ark and the Flood” because it shows how 1 person was brave enough to go far away from the normal but stood up to be the change. Just like Noah, he was always laughed at everything Sebastian was trying to say to the bad friends to make them good and he stood by what he said. I tried my best to make this story relatable a lot of people my age that get pressured to do what others do just cause they’re all that. Sebastian’s eyes were closed. He was blinded by the influence of others with bad things. But in the story, God opened those eyes and helped him realize what he was doing wrong. God was able to help him realize his full potential with doing good stuff.
Anyone really can be the change, it just depends on how much you would go through anything to be that change and your faith in it. Don’t be afraid about decisions you know is truly right and for the best of everyone.
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