Popularity vs. Respect

POPULARITY. I hate that word.


The word POPULARITY has become very banal in today's society, and most of the time people don't even understand what it actually is supposed to mean.POPULARITY, by definition, means LIKABILITY. It's a level of recognition. When something is POPULAR, lots of people like it. Simple as that.
What people mean by POPULAR in this day and age is not always so positive.
People tend to focus on the OUTSIDE, the MATERIAL, the APPEARANCE. And usually, with these focuses, POPULAR people tend to be hated, stereotyped, and envied. When you ask people on the street what a "POPULAR KID" looks like, you may get this image: Abercrombie attire, nice hair, usually in sports or dance, attractive, bubbly etc. To some, the "POPULAR KID" may be the kid with blue hair, a ton of piercings, and a tough attitude. To others, it's just the girl who always has the hot guys swarming around her, or the guy who always gets the girls.
No matter which way you see it, it's a very plastic way to look at people!
Instead of worrying so much about whether or not we are POPULAR among a certain social circle, no matter what kind of circle it might be, we should be worrying more about whether or not we can be RESPECTED. For me, the most foolproof way to make friends I've ever found is to simply be nice to people. And to be sincere. No one likes a liar. No one likes someone who backbites and gossips. No one likes a jerk. Jerks don't get friends. They may look like they do, but in the end, they are always left alone. If you treat others with compassion, understanding, and sincere interest, you will always have a true friend to turn to. POPULARITY comes and goes. RESPECT lasts forever.
True respectability also lies in keeping up a moral code. These days, there are so many people who end up making mistakes just to be liked. They drink, they smoke, they have sex, they waste their money... all for the sake of being "cool." But we know what "cool" REALLY is, right? We're all smarter than that!! We understand that there is such thing as GOOD attention and BAD attention!! We know that the BAD attention leads to gossip, so why do we not focus more on GOOD attention? Why do we not focus on service to others, gaining knowledge, and participating in wholesome activities? I'd much rather have people talking about me doing THOSE things than getting high or making babies at sixteen.
Three women, to me, epitomize the point I am trying to make. To me, they are popular girls, and it's not necessarily because they are pretty or because they wear nice clothes, or because they do dance or are friends with hot guys or whatever. It's because they have gained my RESPECT. They are smart about their lives. They are not proud. They are not attention-seeking. They are humble, kind, and wise. They care about learning and character. They understand the importance of morals. Sure, they make mistakes just like everyone else, but these girls always seem to have an attitude of improvement. People DO notice these kinds of things. These girls are LOVED. And why are they loved? Because they give back. They love others. They support others. They share. They are optimistic and enthusiastic. It's no wonder they are so attractive to others!! They have succeeded in finding ways to get GOOD attention. And in the process of doing so, I think they are genuinely HAPPY people.
I wish all girls were more like these three fine young women. I wish I were more like these three fine young women. I hope everyone will use their example and try their hardest to seek RESPECT, rather than POPULARITY. That is where true happiness lies.