You preformed at St.Domonics Catholic high school today, I just wanted to say thank you. You have made my faith go up to a whole nother level. And have also made me realize many things. I have the same situation with one of my family members. And it is hard. Having a reminder that someone is going through the same thing and can be as happy as you are feels pretty great.
I might not be the typical person that submits their story to you, but I figured that maybe it could help even one other person out there. You came to speak to our Grade 11 class today and I sat in the crowd with everyone else. I might have been hard to pick out at first, but after looking around a bit you could have seen that I didn’t quite fit in. Not because I was odd, or alternative or anything along those lines, but rather because I am a young, first year teacher and look quite a bit like the students that surround me, but am quite a few years older. I know your message wasn’t directed to me, but it hit home with me and my journey. So, lets start back when I was in grade 11. I was dating a boy at this time who had successfully convinced me that I was in love with him. Despite his physical, emotional, and sexual violence, he had convinced me that he was all I had in life. Through the struggle I dealt with, I had lost touch with my connection with God. Coming from a Catholic family, this was not an acceptable situation so I tried to hide it as best I could and continued to go to church every Sunday with my parents to keep them appeased. No one had any idea what I was going through. Since I had broken a promise I had made to myself and ended up having sex with this boy, I was complete convinced that I had to marry him, so I did everything in my power to show the people around me his positive attributes. Luckily, after a few months (9.5 to be exact) I came to the realization that he was not what I deserved. After all, everyone kept telling me how happy and pretty I was. Although I did not believe this or feel it. To deal with my pain and secrets I found myself drinking at a young age, thinking of suicide often, and escaping in the numbing pain of self harm. No one knew this. Not my best friends or my family. One day, I decided it was too much and I took as many pills as I could find in the house. I thought I was home alone and I had left a note on the last page of my diary saying goodbye to my family and expressing everything I was feeling and that I couldn’t deal with it any more. Thinking I was making the world a better place by blowing out my candle. Right at the moment I closed my eyes to fall into eternal sleep (hopefully in my mind), my little sister walked into my room. She NEVER did this. But today was different. She strutted right into my room like she owned the place and I was LIVID! But instead of saying anything I just rolled over, waiting for the unending sleep….
I Remember a few days ago you came to my school. My school. At first, you sounded funny, like a comedian. After hearing your stories, I decided that I spend too much time looking in the mirror. I should use that time for God, because no matter what anyone ever says, I know he is there. This is my Miracle story. Thanks for telling me your story, and reminding me of mine.
You came to my school a couple days ago, and it was an amazing experience. You had visited us before, but the impact didn’t really settle in. I honestly doubt it settled in with the rest of the students at the school. But I can tell you that I was inspired with every story you told. The main reason I came onto this site is to tell you that you stopped me before we went for Nutrition Break. And you introduced yourself to me, asked my name, and told me I’m beautiful. I just smiled at you and thanked you before immediately exiting the gym. Mostly because I cried the second I was out the door. I’m rarely told I am beautiful, or that I matter at all, really. Majority of the people in my grade don’t care about me, or don’t like me. Today I had to do something as a volunteer for the school and stood up in front of the entire school with my small group, something I am used to doing, and can do easily. But I glanced over to my grade, and… they were all laughing. After the event, when I got back to homeroom, I was mocked. Over and over. and over. I got home and opened my Instagram. Rude comments. From people that are in my class! People, who I face almost every day. To be honest, everyone sees me as a generally happy person that just takes all the shots at me in a joking matter. But really, I don’t. I self-harm and have suicidal tendencies. I’ve been that way for years now. My parents verbally abused me for a few years, and the people I saw at school were not much better. I feel so alone sometimes. I have anxiety because I’ve become so paranoid that someone’s going to call me a rude name, or mock me again, or hurt me. I’m always afraid. But, when I was talking to you, I felt like I could really trust you. Our conversation wasn’t that important or anything, but I still felt special. When I got home, I told my mom almost every story you told us, and the messages you put along with them. Our Access 52 experience is definitely something I will never forget. Thank you so much for impacting my life in a way that I am sure to make a change. I just want to say to you, that you are an amazing person, and that I will always be thankful to you.
Hi. I saw Michael at my school. I have never been inspired that much before. I could’t understand what it meant to share love, peace, and my faith with everyone in my reach and beyond. I’m now able to understand. You looked at me and told me I can change the world, and the moment I heard those words, my thoughts changed. My plan for my future became to meet people and help them achieve their goals. I fear that I may fail sometimes but you thought me that fear can’t be an excuse to just give up or stop dreaming big. I love your stories because their always in my mind, especially when I need them most. I believe the key to a better world is to help everyone get to their goal. I would sacrifice any opportunity to see the faces of their dreams come true. That’s my dream. Keep inspiring generations and the small things will change the ways of society. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for changing my life. May God be there where ever you go. God bless you. Thank you.
Michael, I met you today, and it was really inspirational. My name is Alyssa; I’m 15 years old. You called me beautiful, and it was one of the most important things I’ve heard for a very long time. It meant the world to me. Basically, it’s not easy. You know that… everyone knows that, but sometimes I just can’t. I relate to the whole ‘sitting on the edge of the bed’ thing. I do it a lot actually. I dream of playing music for people and being on stage, but I have an awful habit of giving up due to my fear of public speaking and panic attacks. That’s all I want to do, and it sucks to be afraid to do what I love. Sometimes it just doesn’t feel worth it, and I turn into this uncontrolled, harmful being toward myself that results in wanting to not go on, but I know I have to. It was great to hear “You’re amazing!” and “I love you!” so many times because I don’t hear that. I didn’t feel loved or amazing in any way until you spoke to us. A stranger believed in me more than I believe in me. I can’t give up on anything; not on my dreams and not on life. Thank you. You made a difference in my life today.
Last week I tried out for a dance team at my high school. Dancing has been apart of my life for 10 years. I wanted to give up dance and find something else because I felt like I wasn’t good enough. Soon after tryouts I went to DYC. Every where I went it had something to say about dance. I felt like God was giving me a sign to not give up. During our adoration time I pictured what would’ve happened if I did make it my freshman year. The scenes were horrible and I lost all of my closest friends. I then pictured a second scenerio where it was my sophomore year and I made it and I kept all of my friends. I felt as if God was telling me dance was my calling. I was going through the bible and opened to Psalm 30:11 which is: You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. I once again felt as if God where telling me to never give up. I’m not ashamed to share this expierence with people, in fact I get so excited to tell them. It lets them know God is choosing their path and when you want to give up he will lead you where he wants you.
Michael recently spoke at DYC. I went with my church parish members and I had no idea what I was in for. I expected a weekend of non-stop prayer and singing. What I got was an experience that changed my entire life. I’ve always tried so hard to fit in with the people at my school. I’d wear the costume of a different person every day so I wouldn’t be judged. Then, I met Michael. He taught me that I am the One and Only. This past weekend, has been the first time in years that I have been able to be myself without fear or doubt. Michael’s stories and humor that he incorporated into his talks were wonderful. It helped me relate. It makes me sad that I might never again get the chance to hear Michael’s talks again. But that’s okay, because from now on, I pledge to Michael and the entire world, that I will try my best to be myself. I will no longer be afraid of judgment. The last thing I said to Michael before he left, was that he inspired me. He delivered a great message that I want to pass on to others. I want to do what Michael does, not only because I’m inspired, but also because I know what it’s like to hit rock bottom. My name is Matthew, and I am a One and Only. Thank you, Michael.
Today, Michael came into my school band camp. We were rehearsing for our summer season tour. Not that I don’t enjoy band, I love it. It’s one of the only things I feel good about in my life. Most of the time. Last year, I was in the band and I had overdosed on acetaminophen twice on our summer tour. I didn’t feel like I belonged. I felt so out of place and unimportant. My home life was hard enough. Band being a second family, I felt that I was just tearing myself to pieces. I came from a broken family. I grew to learn that family isn’t always there when you need it the most. No one really is. This year, I was still contemplating suicide. I was in a bad relationship that left me crushed, home wasn’t any better, counselors were only temporary relief from the pain and all this brought my grades down because I couldn’t concentrate on anything else but the pain. I was actually going to commit suicide on Christmas Eve this year because I felt there was no hope. Until the minute Michael started speaking. “FAMILY: Forget About Me, I Love You.” is what stuck out the most to me. Band is a family. No matter how small your part is, you’re still important to the rest of the band. Even if you play the exact same part as someone else, you’re still important, because without you there, the song won’t sound the same. He told us to pay attention to the small things and notice them. Notice those who are having a bad day, notice the details in someone’s face, if they’re okay right now, notice them and accept them and love them. “If you’re one of those people who wants to be noticed, stand up.” He said. More than half the band stood. Including me. It was then that I realized that we aren’t very strong on our own. Together though, we are family. My band director told us to go shake hands with Michael as a thank you. I hugged him tightly and cried into his shirt. That was not a thank you enough for how he impacted me. Michael, if you’re reading this, thank you so very very much. You’ve reminded me that family is true love and without you coming in today, I probably wouldn’t have considered stopping the hurt I do towards myself. I’m still broken. But you’ve shown me that broken pieces don’t mean it’s un-fixable. I came from a broken family. And with those broken pieces, I created an entirely new masterpiece. The band family. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. “This is my family. I found it, all on my own. It’s little and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good” -Stitch
Michael came and spoke at my Grade 11 retreat this week. When I walked into the room I could tell that something was going to change. In the beginning there wasn’t one person who wasn’t crying because they were laughing so hard. All was good, we had lunch, then during the next session, things got deep. Everyone was crying and lives were being changed. Little did he know how many people in the room were contemplating suicide. Including myself. People who didn’t talk, were now embracing each other as they wept. It was amazing to see people who didn’t like each other, being there and listening to one another as they cried together. During the break I snatched Michael away for a couple minutes to talk. Although I didn’t stand up with everyone else who wanted to take their lives, I was not excluded from the group. I told Michael things that I’ve never told anyone, and that was probably one of the hardest, and scariest things I’ve ever had to do. He was extremely supportive and understanding, and that meant the world to me. The day went on, there were more tears and the Holy Spirit was on the move. The next day at school, it was a whole new atmosphere in the classes. I found out from numerous friends that they had tried to take their lives either the day before, or were going to when they got home. But the didn’t because Michael gave them hope. Thank you so much for coming way way north to Peace River and spending the day with us!