Each Wednesday, I’ll be posting a new “Teens Speak Out” survey.  Each of these are beautiful stories of the heart from other teens just like you, inspired by the questions I wish I’d been asked when I was a teenager.

Maybe there is something in these answers that will help you see your own situation in a new light or give you the inspiration you need today.

Name:
Hannah

Age:
14
Who Are You?


I am not who I want to be.
Whose arms do you fall into?


Friends and Family.
What is the one miracle you are waiting for?


I want something to happen in my life. Life is so boring.
What is your weapon?


Music.
Whom do you miss the most?


My little-kid self.
What are you scared of?


The dark. Losing people I love. Rejection.
What is your favorite memory?


Going to Disney World with my family.
When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?


I don’t know.
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?
Many. So many. People have always trusted me with their secrets. I don’t want them.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Be yourself.
What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?
Don’t change.
Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?


It feels like I’m about to explode.
Are you enough?


No. No one is ever enough, at least not to themselves.

Name:
Hilary

Age:
16
Who Are You?


I am a believer, walking through this magical journey called “life.”
Whose arms do you fall into?


I fall into the arms of my parents. They are always there to support me and love me for who I am. Love comes and goes, but my parents will always be there to pick up the pieces.
What is the one miracle you are waiting for?


I am waiting for the plague of bullying to stop. I am sick and tired of seeing the suicides of victims of bullying.
What is your weapon?


My weapon is my outspoken nature. I will never let someone force me into a situation I do not believe in.
Whom do you miss the most?


I miss my grandmother. She has been dead for 9 years. There isn’t a day in the world I don’t think about her.
What are you scared of?
I’m scared that I won’t have enough time to see and experience everything.
What is your favorite memory?


My favorite memory has not been made yet. I have a lot of good memories, but I’m still creating my favorite.
When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?
God spoke to me when I saw you speak at my youth group convention. He spoke through you by telling us your amazing and inspiring story of courage and hope.
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?


I’m holding onto “You are the best you can be.” It always makes me feel better when I am feeling depressed.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?


I know it sounds corny but I love the phrase, “when one door closes another opens.” It always motivates me through all my rejections and hardships.
What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?


They’re already amazing, I have no advice.
Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?


It feels like something eating away at my happiness.
Are you enough?


Yes, I am. I am enough because I believe in everything I do. Sometimes I doubt myself, but I know I have a good head on my shoulders and everything will work out in the end.

Name:
Raynee

Age:
15
Who Are You?


A girl still trying to find herself
Whose arms do you fall into?


no one’s
What is the one miracle you are waiting for?


For peace in the world and for people to start accepting people for who they really are
What is your weapon?


Don’t have one
Whom do you miss the most?


My best friend who used to be there and now isn’t. She betrayed my trust twice and 2 of the worst experiences in my life
What are you scared of?


Being alone for the rest of my life or of people not accepting me for my insecurities
What is your favorite memory?


Being young and not worrying about teenage problems
When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?


He never spoke to me and i don’t think He ever will
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?


unworthy, not good enough, shy
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?


To be myself and not worry what other people say about me
What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?


To start believing me when i say something, or to start taking me more seriously
Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?


Oh ya! When I’m in fights that’s when i start feeling the emptiness. It feels as if nothing is inside of me and i just want to break down and cry, but tears never come
Are you enough?


In some ways I sometimes think I’m not and never feel like doing anything or think that people don’t think about me.

Name:
Brittany

Age:
14
Who Are You?


I am my own person. I’m a freshman in Las Vegas.
Whose arms do you fall into?
my best friend.
What is the one miracle you are waiting for?
Cures for cancer and disease
What is your weapon?
rubber bands
Whom do you miss the most?
People that have influenced my life.
What are you scared of?
People trying to change me
What is your favorite memory?
When you came to my camp.
When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?
when i met you. you opened my eyes to opportunities and made me feel like i am worth something.
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?


cutter. leave. me. alone.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?


follow your heart.
What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?


understand me.
Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?


things inside me wanting to get out.
Are you enough?


no, because i am not satisfied with myself.

Name:
Charlotte

Age:
15
Who Are You?

I am a teenage girl that is honest with everyone else but herself.
Whose arms do you fall into?
My best friend in the whole world, Emily.
What is the one miracle you are waiting for?


I am waiting for him to tell me he loves me because I know he feels the same way.
What is your weapon?


My weapon are my tears.
Whom do you miss the most?

I miss Leah the most. She was too young to die.
What are you scared of?


I’m scared that my life will fall apart because it’s taking me too long to get back to where I was. I’m terrified of ending up alone.
What is your favorite memory?


My favorite memory was when I was little and I dressed up as a bride and went out to Chinese food like that. I wish that I still had no cares in the world like I did when I was a kid. I want to stop growing up. Life is only getting more complicated and hard.
When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?


I was in Israel and I was putting my note in the Western Wall. He told me that it was all going to be OK and work out. I’m still trying to figure out if I completely believe Him.
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?

I’m holding onto the words “life is beautiful.” If I don’t think that, then I can’t accept anything that is happening in my life, ever. Those words keep me going everyday.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?


My friends told me that I am too negative about everything. They told me that I can’t live in the past because that can’t change anything. You have to live each day like it’s your last and make the most out of any situation that is thrown at you. Live for the future, because that is what will keep you motivated to make life better.
What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?


Yelling never solves anything. It just makes situations worse. You have to treat each other with respect. That’s the only way that a family will stay close.
Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?
The emptiness of not being wanted by anyone is always inside me. My biggest fear is to end up alone, so that always is in my mind, which causes the emptiness.
Are you enough?
I am not enough because I will never be able to fully except myself for who I am on the inside and outside.

Name:
sarah

Age:
14
Who Are You?


i don’t know, but then again, who does?
Whose arms do you fall into?


my best friend’s: she is the world to me. Maybe one day there will be a guys arms i can fall into.
What is the one miracle you are waiting for?

i guess i don’t really know
What is your weapon?


i flirt when i want something, but one time i took it too far. i got a hurt. more than just a little bit hurt. be careful about what u do and how far u take it, lets just say i ran to the wrong base.
Whom do you miss the most?


my friend who died last year. i miss him.
What are you scared of?


getting hurt again. i dont want to be used again. my body is mine and no one else’s.
What is your favorite memory?


When i was overlooking a waterfall with my best friend.
When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?


i don’t know….
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?


I’m scared. i try to make people believe that I’m stronger than i really am.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?


stay true to yourself.
What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?


Don’t judge, everyone makes mistakes.
Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?


yes. my friend is gone. i just want him back on this earth.
Are you enough?


i am enough. everyone is enough. i think that’s something that people need to learn. you are enough.

Name:
Alyson

Age:
23

Who Are You?

I’m gay. I’m both male and female and neither male nor female. I’m everything I’m not supposed to be. Nine times out of ten, I’m the one being bullied, the one putting everything on the line only to have it thrown back in my face.

Whose arms do you fall into?


I haven’t fallen into anyone arms yet. I’m still waiting for a knight(ess) in shining armor to come rescue me from this hell.

What is the one miracle you are waiting for?


To be able to live a day when I’m glad to be alive.

What is your weapon?


Myself. Isolation.

Whom do you miss the most?


EB…may she rest in peace after dying this past year by her own hands.
What are you scared of?


Dying. Living. Sex. Pleasure.

What is your favorite memory?


Telling on myself (to an adult) before I pulled the plug to end my life. Reaching out for help and submitting myself to going to the emergency room to stop myself from acting upon my urges.

When was the last time God spoke to you and what did He say?


She said how I’m beautiful and I deserve to live free of fear.
What words are you holding onto in your pockets?


The wish of “la libertad de nao sentir medo” (The freedom to not be afraid)

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?


Someone, somewhere in this world, is waiting to meet you.

What advice would you give to your parents that will help them in raising you?


Don’t ever doubt your child of his/her potential.

Is there sometimes an emptiness inside you and what does it feel like?


Yes. It feels like being locked in my dog’s cage. Or like the time I had to eat dinner after visiting Auschwitz.

Are you enough?


No. I think if I were enough I would not be so dependent on self-loathing jokes.