I Believe in Second Chances by Kelsey Ahlschwede

I think that everyone deserves a second chance and sometimes even a third. People change. In return they make bad choices; it's what we do. So, why not give them another chance to make things right? I believe in second chances.

People have hardships in life. They make mistakes and then have to live with them. I know sometimes another time doesn't come around but we still have to deal with the consequences. I'm not saying that all we do is make bad choices. Sometimes we do make good decisions and it ends up rewarding us.

Decisions are usually influenced by something. Whether it's by your friends, family or teachers, there is going to be an influence. Sometimes the simplest decisions are made and they don't matter at all. For example, what you're eating for lunch that day is a decision. But if you're overheard someone talking about how they're having abusive problems at home, that doesn't even compare to what you're going to be having for dinner that night. It can seriously impact someone's life on how you would choose to deal with a major situation. You must start thinking about how you can impact that person. It's their own personal business and you need to decide if you should butt in or keep your distance and not get involved.

Once someone makes a bad decision it's hard to let go of the feeling. The feeling that you are empty because you know nothing good can come out of it. Sometimes we just have to sit down and think about all the outcomes that could result.

For example, when I was thirteen, I took my dad's truck and hit a post with it. I still get embarrassed about that decision, from time to time, when people mention it. I feel the reason I took the truck was because I didn't use my head. I didn't think. I could've had an accident and wound up dead, or happily made it home without a mark on the truck or myself.

Sometimes there's a point where you just need to sit down and say STOP! It really helps. But only at times it seems there's a chemical imbalance in your body that can suggest that you need to be risky. Believe me there is more to life then being bad.

This is why instead of thinking about it and suggesting it, just DO IT and change! It's not that hard. Starting to change is the difficult part of the entire process.

One of the hardest things to do is admit you are wrong. Even if you feel it was the right thing to do, it still can be wrong! (I guess that opinion is really in the eyes of the beholder.) But can you change how they feel if you can't even change how you feel? It's okay to be deadset on something that you feel deeply is right. Other times, you should probably let things run their own course.

It's hard to change and it's hard to get more chances, but if you improve in the future, you show others you are worthy of another chance. This is why I believe in second chances and change!