The Beat Within

by Jeramiah, Albuquerque, New Mexico The hardest task that I had to do was getting my high school diploma. I say this was the most difficult task for me because I would never try or push past my limits. It took many sacrifices and being in trouble for me to realize that I need to get my life straight. It was not easy, but I got through it. I thank my mom and family members so much for their support. If I didn’t have them around, I don’t think I would have made it this far. I also had many

by Carlos, Santa Clara One important man in my life is my father. He always tries to push me to do better than I’m doing. He is also a motivational speaker, always telling me to think ahead. He means a lot to me because he makes me re-think my actions and consequences.  We always have a good connection but not when I’m in trouble. He likes to say if I get in trouble then he doesn’t want anything to do with me, but I feel like he only says that so I don’t get in trouble.  He really pushes me

by Abraham, San Diego My family realized that when I was in kindergarten I had talent. I remember, every other kid would draw sticks and dots as their characters, but I drew body parts in my art. I would draw ears, eyes, a nose, and lips.   I grew up watching my father tattoo all sorts of people in my momma’s kitchen. I would sit there spaced out in my own world, blurred vision because I needed glasses but I still drew.  I never paid attention in school because I was always too busy drawing something, whether it was my

by Shasta, San Mateo Anger to me is defined as a fire in my mind that is fueled by negative thoughts. It starts off small but grows quickly into more vicious anger. Most of my anger used to come from my previous drug use. I didn’t see it as a problem until after I stopped using.  If you’re curious on what my drug of choice was, it was Xanax. It affects your mind at such a rapid pace that you don’t recognize the problems it causes until it’s too late. It definitely affected my mood and caused me to lash