Every whisper, every second that goes by, every sideways glance can change us forever. Who we are isn’t permanent, and this can be as transparent as liquid water or as opaque as the shut doors of opportunity.

Every person we encounter changes us and alters our personality—we are a shapeless piece of clay begging to be remodeled time and time again. Some people’s touch is filled with more compassion than others, not wanting to completely destroy the person we were before, whereas others only strive for the change they wish to see in themselves.

It’s easier to associate ourselves with the perfect ideas of society rather than see our wrongdoings and hardships. We can change those around us, and, while sometimes we are the clay, we are also the harsh hands that mold everyone into a statue-like state.

To be or not to be—we are the victim, and we are the clay. 

To be or not to be—we are the hands that belong to that of a godly like position.

What we say, what we do, and what we think all come back to mold those around us. 

We have always been told to be careful with our words because they might destroy one’s point of view. We have to remember we aren’t in control of everyone else; we are only a spectator watching from the stands of another life. 

Our words cut like knives into the weak standing of someone’s self-confidence; they don’t need our approval or lack thereof. They need our hearts to be open to them.

We need to stop changing people; we just need to listen.

We need to stop changing people; we just need to encourage others in their journey of self-discovery.

We need to stop changing people; we need to work on ourselves first.

Take a look in the mirror. Who are you?

Are you the clay right now, or are you the hands?

Who are your hands? Who has the power—the authority—to mold you into the better version of themselves? Is this out of love, or is this out of guilt?

Stop letting people alter you as easily as a piece of clay.

Stop letting yourself take over other people’s lives in a last attempt to change your own.