My favorite character in the bible is Esther, a Jewish woman who risks her life to save the Jewish people. I was named after her for her kindness and bravery. I believe this name was perfectly chosen for me. I have grown into a kind and brave person, just as it was prophesied when my mom named me. I apply Esther's story to my life by prioritizing kindness and choosing to practice compassion, empathy, and gentleness everywhere I go. I believe that the energy we put into the world is the energy we get back, and this is why I am constantly surrounded by love and kindness. I did not allow the things I've been through to make me bitter, cruel, or mean. I have always valued kindness. In my opinion, choosing to be kind and gentle in such a harsh world is one of the bravest things you can do. I practice kindness everyday, and I know Esther would be so proud.

Seeing my grandma dragged off in handcuffs was the last thing I ever expected to see. I arrived at the family reunion just in time to watch her being escorted out of Aunt Lucy's house. Cops stood on either side of her, holding her upper arms to keep her firmly in place. Neighbors peered into the yard while they pretended to mow their lawns and clean their windows. I've never seen any of these neighbors clean. I was at a loss for words as I watched a cop shove grandma's into the backseat of the police car. I turned to the house, where the whole family was standing outside, looking as shocked as I feel. I stumbled over to them, confused and disoriented. Somehow, I was able to get the words out. I asked what happened. Aunt Lucy looked directly at me, her eyes enormous from shock. She spoke four simple words that knocked the breath straight out of me.

"Grammy's a serial killer."

I stopped being serious because laughter is the only way to healthily process the absurdity of existence. Being depressed about it didn't help, so I've chosen to be blissfully happy. It's pretty damn cool over here, where I don't check the news and have no idea what's going on in the world. I mean, we lose socks in our washing machines like they've been sucked into another dimension. We keep animals in our houses and treat them as our children. We allow ourselves to be bullied by cats, and we all have something we're worried about today. We have to pay money to exist even though we didn't ask to be born. (Laughter helps me cope with this). We are sims living in a stimulation, continuing to go to work and hang out with our friends while we wonder where the world is headed. Where was I going with this? I don't remember. I'm not panicked about the state of the world at all. Me? Panicked? Never!

Johnny lives in San Francisco with his fiancée, Lisa. Lisa does not begin an affair and is faithful to Johnny, but Johnny is paranoid that she is cheating on him after watching an episode of Dateline. He begins recording her phone conversations and watching her every move closely, determined to collect evidence. Johnny has convinced himself that Lisa is having an affair with his best friend, Mark.

Johnny and Mark rescue Denny from a fight, and Denny tells Johnny that he thinks Lisa is cool and a good match for Johnny. Johnny misinterprets this as Denny telling him that he lusts after Lisa. Lisa later witnesses Johnny kill a bug and says she thinks it's violent and unnecessary. She tells him she wishes he would've released the bug outside. Johnny becomes convinced that Lisa is calling him violent and abusive, and he is devastated.

Johnny and Lisa later have a conversation, and she decides to end things with him due to his lack of trust in her.

At the end, it is revealed that everything that happened in the original movie was taken out of context. Johnny was an unreliable narrator in the original, and this is how things actually went down.

Searing flames lapped

at her uncovered skin

her hair alight

the colors painting

an ethereal image

one of beauty

that didn't match her pain.

Under the dense light

of the moon

she did not scream

as her mind, body, and soul

were gently ignited

against her will.

The townsfolk gathered

their pitchforks raised high

their victorious shouts

permeating the air

Rocks were thrown

chipping away at

all she had left

but she would not give them

the satisfaction

of seeing her suffer.

The flames ate away at her

until there was nothing left

but the haunted soul

that would remain anguished

in those woods

forever

Sadness can be addicting. When you're deep in it, it's so hard to get out of it. But it's not a good place to be. It takes time, but eventually, you can get out of it. There is always hope. I know that there is hope and kindness and love in this world, because I am full of it.

I used to be so angry with the world because I became so disillusioned. Still, I sometimes feel disheartened by the things that are happening in this world, the cruelty and the senseless violence and the general lack of empathy seemingly everywhere. However, as much as there are bad things in this world, there is also so, so much good.

I've come to terms with my disillusionment and learned how to live a life that makes me happy. Here is my advice.

Don't worry about what other people are doing with their lives. We're all here for the first time, figuring things out as we go. Be kind. Be loving. If the bad things happening in this world make you sad, you can do something to help. I've gotten so much fulfillment from volunteering and advocacy work. We have voices. Let's use them.

Live a life that makes you proud. Go after what you want. Don't allow fear and doubt to hold you back from accomplishing your dreams. If there's one thing I've learned from history, it's that the people who reach their goals are the ones who genuinely believe that they can do it. Believe in yourself and practice kindness, and the rest will fall into place.