Lessons from Low Points

Most of the negative or low points in my life are experiences that later turned into good things that I still carry with me to this day. They are more or less battle scars that have given me a thicker skin and transformed my views of life into positive ones. The first traumatizing experience of my life was perhaps one of the most influential experiences. When I was 5-years-old my parents decided to end their troubled marriage. My mother left us and my dad took me live with his family. I did not see my mother for about a year after the divorce and my visitation with her was limited. Being raised by my father forever changed my life and gave me a very different outlook from most girls I grew up with. It was challenging and there were difficult hurdles but I realized from an early age that things could be difficult. When my father and I moved away we had no house and very little money. My dad had to start life over again. I realized that even though life can bring you hard times,  through hard work and sacrifices you can overcome challenges.   When I was in eighth grade my father found out he had cancer. This was another turning point in my life that made me realize that I took many people in my life for granted.  It was a difficult time for my dad and for our family. He was very lucky, however, and he has been in remission for over five years. Before my dad got sick I was going through my rebellious and difficult teenage years. My dad’s illness provided a wake-up call for me and made me realize that my family is important and that I was taking things for granted and taking advantage of the people that loved me. Ever since that time I place my family and above all others and I am very close to my father. I am also grateful to be alive and to experience each new day. Another turning point was when I was in highschool. When I entered highschool I was very unprepared which resulted in poor grades. My worried parents enlisted the help of a highschool teacher who helped me get my act together. My teacher stressed the importance of highschool and developing habits for being effective in college. If it had not been for my highschool I don’t think I would have the determination or drive that I have today. I realized even though I had to work harder than alot of students I could still achieve any goal I desired. A peak experience in my life was when my dad met my stepmother. She is a key figure in my life and has also been influential in helping me realize my goals in life. She is my second mother and she pushes me to achieve all of my aspirations. Throughout my life the people that have been permanent fixtures as well as those that have passed through my life have given me insight on how I should and should not be living. Every person I have encountered in my life has helped mold me into who I am today. I try to pull the good out of even the most negative situation and make it something I can grow from.