Speaking Up And Moving Forward In Life
Nathan Harmon offers encouragement to teens struggling to “fit in.”
September 13, 2021
“It’s okay, to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way,” says Nathan Harmon to a packed auditorium on Friday. Sept. 10.
Society pressures people to “fit in” with what it feels is “right”–and criticizes them when they don’t. All too often, this pressure can be deadly. September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month. Since 1975, organizations and large communities around the world have banded together to support individuals who are in need of reassurance that everything will be okay and to just keep moving forward. 
Nathan Harmon is a huge believer of these suicide prevention organizations, and he travels to many schools to speak on the difficult subject. This year, he visited Elkhart High School and shared some insights on the matter. On the stage, he says, “If there is breath in your lungs, there is hope in your heart.” Much like many individuals going through hard times, Harmon’s speech uses his life as a metaphor to help listeners understand a bigger picture in the life of adolescents.
In this day and age, he says, countless children and young adults are struggling with some of the same problems Harmon went through. His words help guide troubled students down the right path and help them avoid making the mistakes he did when he was their age.
“You can outwork anybody with gifts or talents,” Harmon insists, hoping his listeners will change their lives around by knowing they are meant to do magnificent things–in all of their possible futures. He points out how much people can achieve in life ‘if they are willing to work harder than their faults.”
Everyone has problems, Harmon concludes. But it’s up to them—”and you”—to decide how deep they go, and how hard they impact one’s life. Those are words to live by.
Kathryn Sater • Sep 29, 2021 at 3:16 pm
I really enjoyed this article! I was not present to hear him speak this time, but you explained Nathanś work and message just like I have seen him do before. I also appreciated how you tied in the bit about Suicide Prevention Month. Overall, I feel well informed on this subject and I feel that you helped Nathan deliver his message perfectly!
Abraham Trigo • Sep 29, 2021 at 3:14 pm
In my opinion, Nathan Harmon is a very motivational speaker. Nathan’s story is very inspiring and more people should know about it. He shares his downs, but eventually those things become bigger and better than ever before. Nathan is able to recover from the terrible things of which occurred due to his actions. Nathan Harmon is a name to remember for the rest of your life.
Ruby Guevara • Sep 28, 2021 at 10:47 am
First off, this article is very well put together. The way the images and paragraphs are layer out makes the article look very neat. Also the images that were chosen makes the article more interesting to read. The title “Speaking Up And Moving Forward In Life” is such a good representation on what the whole article is about and it gives a positive outlook to something that wasn’t so pleasing in life.
Hilda-Blessing Kale • Sep 28, 2021 at 10:36 am
I liked the article because it really shows that Nathan Harmon is really passionate about what he does because he take his time to visit hundreds of schools worldwide to tell it ok to be who they are. And I liked this writing because the write quote some of Nathan’s words to show reader how powerful they can impact ones life.
Manivanh Manykhouth • Sep 28, 2021 at 10:34 am
This is a really good article! I liked how it really talks about suicide prevention, especially when there are a lot of people out there who are going through something that can lead them into doing something horrible. People should really read this and share this article to others.