What does the expression “Every cloud has a silver lining” mean to you?
A Changed Brother
When I was growing up, my older brother and I never got along. We used to fight over everything and we could barely sit next to each other. We rarely had a day where we actually got along.
Somehow that all changed now that we’re older. He’s the only brother I have who is willing to sacrifice his time just so I can go out with my friends. He’s the only brother who actually takes time to talk to me. He’s always watching out for me. He surprises me so much now.
When I hear the expression, “Every cloud has a silver lining,” it reminds me of him. He has been through a lot in life, from abusing drugs, to getting into fights, and being expelled from so many schools. My brother may appear and sound rough around the edges but he shows me he cares about me. I used to think nothing good would come from him and that he was the dumb one in the family, but now I know I was wrong. He is pretty smart and he cares a lot. He is a reason why I feel the need to succeed. I’m thankful he is my brother.
-Arena, 17
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Moving Away
Every cloud has a silver lining. What exactly does this mean? A cloud is a cold water vapor and this silver lining is the good found in every cloud. In every situation whether bad or good, there’s always something that can be learned.
In middle school I had to move away from the west side and live near Clovis. I was devastated to leave practically my childhood behind. Also since I was moving so far away, I thought I would have to transfer schools. But here’s where the silver lining kicks in. I didn’t have to transfer schools. I ended up taking a bus back and forth from school. This school bus wasn’t any ordinary bus, it had some of the greatest people riding in it, my friends Michael, Adriana, and Seama, who also took the bus with me too. I thought moving would be a downer, but I was wrong. Every cloud does have a silver lining.
-Victoria, 16
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Finding A New Church Family
I believe every circumstance, no matter how negative, has a positive solution that can result. I have had a lot of bad situations occur in my life that when in the moment seems horrid, but when I actually take a step back and really think about it, something good has always come out of it.
At the end of last year, some things that were done in the dark came to light at my old church, and as a result, my family and I left that church. I was extremely hurt leaving some people behind. Some of my church family stayed and some went to other churches. It really sucked because I was getting used to them and I was opening up more. Then it seemed it like my world was crashing down.
I miss some of my church family from that church, but now I go to another church, Deliverance House of Prayer. This church has really changed my life and I’m so much happier. My life actually feels more exciting. The youth at DHOP are totally different from the youth at the other church, well, everything is different. I feel so much love at DHOP.
My pastor is also hilarious and genuine. He doesn’t try to dictate our thoughts or push us to do things he wouldn’t do himself. He is very giving and knowledgeable. He studies a lot like any preacher I’ve known in my life.
Even though I don’t like that some of us who left go to different churches, I’m really glad to have found this new ministry. I have been there for five months now and I love it! It’s so much fun and the people are really nice. One of the best things about this church is the love. I feel incredible when I’m there and when I leave that feeling stays with me all day. I also love the ministry because it’s non-denominational which equals diversity! I love the many different personalities within my new church family.
-Laqusha, 21
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Finding New Love
I recall a time when I was in a relationship with this one boy for about a year and two months but out of nowhere, he decided to end our relationship due to the fact that he thought I was immature and played around too much. Now for me personally, I was devastated because I felt like a fool for wasting a lot of my time with him and the relationship didn’t last because of a dumb reason. I cried for about two days straight and couldn’t stand to look at him when I passed him at school.
It took me about a month to stop thinking about him. All in the while, I was talking to this girl named Theresa, who had also been through a bad break up with her girlfriend. We began to talk for a couple of months and eventually ended up getting together and now I’m the happiest I have ever been.
-“Violet”, 16
In 2006, over 25 youth began participating in weekly after-school writing workshops where they congregated in the hallway of a two-story building in West Fresno and learned the essentials of creating media and telling their stories. The group evolved over the next five years and is now proudly recognized as The kNOw Youth Media.
Through our program, we create opportunities for our youth participants, who in turn create long-term positive change in their communities. Our approach weaves youth development and youth media innovation to produce our biannual youth publication, multimedia projects, and community forums.
The kNOw began as a project of New America Media, which was the country’s first and largest national collaboration and advocate of 2000 ethnic news organizations. In 2018 The kNOw became a project of Youth Leadership Institute.
