Sometimes I want to run. Just break off in the middle of a conversation, during lectures, from life, in whatever direction my feet choose to travel.

So many times, I wish to escape the wrongs I see on a daily basis in conversations or observations.

To be free from hectic schedules, time constraints, obligation and the ignorance and drama I see on campus daily.

Then and only then will I be free to live.

We are often told that our college years will be the best times of our lives.

I can truly say, that in my past three years, I have experienced the best and the worst of times. Looking back, I can see that each of my experiences contributed to who I am.

Each person who I have shared a moment with has taught me something, either positive or negative, but it was still something worth learning.

I guess the question that silences me is what have I taught others.

I often talk about my trip to Malawi, a country in southeast Africa, and how my experiences there dealing with a diverse group from all over the United States, has prepared me for the struggles I am now pressed with. But what I often fail to mention is the love that truly flowed from heart to heart regardless of my intentions — type of love that I wish I could see more of here.

We often label each other and remember the negative things others do to us.

We hardly ever look to find something good in our enemies. Instead, we speak of the past and misconstrue meanings instead of finding a common ground to build on.

And we won’t ever lay that foundation until we are not afraid for others to see through us and point out some of our flaws.

We don’t know everything, and I, too make mistakes.

In an assignment I did in one of my classes, I had to take inventory of myself.

I had to write down what I wanted someone else to know about me.

I found it difficult in some ways because I wasn’t sure which “self” I wanted to present.

I knew which items about my life that I stored on the top shelf, and didn’t want others to reach.

The others items I hid behind my smiles.

But instead of reverting back into myself and censoring my past, I gave it voice.

I realized through that exercise that in order for me to love you for who you are, and develop a platform to stand on together, I must first allow you to see me.