Lily Pads

Lily Pads. The support system of the pond. They provide a safe haven for all types of insects, along with sustenance to maintain their life as they know it. They sometimes flail and wither with age, and outside weather conditions. But some stay strong and provide this same security to many life cycles of insects and small animals. Like a system of lily pads, the complex nature of the social network in today's society is ever changing. Some groups of people like to swing on swings, some like to run for extended periods of time, some even just like sitting. But the commonality between all groups is that they share the same story, the same interests, the same weaknesses, they are only as strong as their weakest member.

Each group has it's specific dynamics and expectations on which they live their lives. Sitting at school myself, I witness a vast array of different groups, all sitting in the playground like lily pads in a pond. They have all the same characteristics. "A group of people who all share the same interests and enjoy the company which each gives each other."

Sometimes I just spend my lunchtimes observing the way people interact, and how they do things differently to me. It is quite interesting as I get to see many different things unfold in front of me.

It was actually really funny and interesting the other day when a brave Year Sevener started busking in the middle of the quad for money for a snap stick ("a fruity flavoured ice treat") and everyone crowded around. The next thing that happened was extraordinary. There were kids from all different year groups and friendship groups there getting in on the action, but the way they acted was all the same. No matter if they knew each other, hated each other, or would never speak, they were all working together to make this poor kid feel the worst he could for trying to follow what he loves. This really shows the basis of human nature, that when someone steps out of the norm, they are noticed, not always in a good way. Also when the person has no lily pad, they have no sustenance, or safe haven to flourish into who they want to be.

So go and find your lily pad. Make it strong, and flourish.