Carry It Forward: The Kite Runner

To most high school students, me included, the idea of "being yourself" and having other people accept you for who you really are, is just that, an idea. With the media and your peers setting the standard for what is socially acceptable, staying true to yourself all of the time is extremely difficult. I empathize with Amir's fear that no one would accept him if they knew what he had done. Although on a different scale, I feel compelled to lie about my true opinions of teachers, music, other kids, etc., if I think that my actual opinions will be disagreed with and/or made fun of.

If I was in Amir's positon, I think I would have told someone without waiting twenty-five years. But who knows? Maybe I wouldn't have. Thinking about this idea of being open and honest, I realize that the friends that I like the best are those who hang out with whomever they want - popular or not. They say the things other people are afraid to say. And more often than not, I find myself agreeing with them. After reading this book and reflecting on this concept, I think that staying true to your beliefs, opinions and ideas is probably one of the most important keys to leading a happy life. I am now going to make a more serious attempt to say and do what I enjoy and not worry what others might think about it.