Milan Harris

The last time I saw my teacher, Ms. Krauter, was January 2007. I’ll never forget standing outside her classroom, room 317, during my senior year. I had just gotten into my 3rd fight, and she was standing at the door waiting for me. She told me they were having a meeting to expel me and that I needed to tell my mom to transfer me out before the meeting.

I was in my LAST semester of high school. After almost four years of hard work, I was facing losing everything I had worked for, including my scholarships.

I didn’t get to graduate with my classmates. I missed my senior prom. And the hardest part was knowing that I had gotten into a fight I didn’t even want to fight.

I allowed someone else to control my emotions, and it cost me something I could never get back. That experience taught me a lesson I’ve carried with me for the last 19 years. NEVER give someone else so much power over your emotions that their actions determine your future.
Even today, whether it’s social media or real life, I have to remind myself of that. People will provoke you, disrespect you, use you for clout, or try to pull you into whatever they’re going through. And sometimes you’ll have EVERY reason to respond. Trust me, I be having A LOT to say. But I’ve learned that just because you have something to say doesn’t mean it’s the time to say it.

I recently heard Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell say, “There is a time to defend yourself and there is a time to be silent.”
WHEW! That spoke to me.

I pray constantly for the wisdom to know the difference. Because sometimes protecting your peace, your purpose, and everything you’ve worked for is more important than proving a point.

So if there’s ONE thing you take from my story, let it be this: Don’t let someone else’s behavior control how YOU show up in this world. One moment of emotion can cost you years of hard work.

To all the TEACHERS around the world, I want y’all to know WE LOVE YOU! ❤️ Sometimes you don’t get the recognition you deserve but your words, your patience, your encouragement, and the seeds you plant are NOT wasted.