I practice self-care through meditation, journaling, and demonstrating acts of kindness to myself. These tasks impact my life, by allowing me to release stress while also being able to shed light on the value I feel I truly hold. Everyone in the world is valuable however, only a certain amount of people will truly know this at heart. Meditating allows me to release stress whenever I am feeling overwhelmed. Also, I am able to sit and be alone with my thoughts and emotions. One of the main reasons people feel as though they are going crazy at times, is because they have untamed thoughts and ideas in their head. Meditation gives me peace and a sense of ease. I can reflect, process, and move forward. Journaling is my favorite act of self-care. I write about everything. I write descriptions of how I am feeling, what is bothering me, or simple insertions of how I can improve myself daily. I personally enjoy journaling, because I can go back and review what I wrote, and analyze the amount go progress I have made or will continue to make. When writing, I feel a weight lifted off of my shoulder when I am done. I pour my emotions out on the paper, and it genuinely aids me with my mental health. Demonstrating acts of kindness towards myself varies in numerous ways. We are the first people to think our own thoughts, and hear our own words. So, it is of importance we are kind, and mean what we say and do when it comes to ourselves. For example, I'll tell myself I am a positive person, or that I am beautiful. Most importantly, I affirm what I want. To end, self-care gives me the motivation to push forward.

My main focus right now is to complete a 4 year degree in clinical psychology, and then finish the advanced masters program at MSU Denver. I believe it is my life purpose to teach, and heal others. Life is not easy, and we will experience or have gone through something that will always be an important lesson. With the proper guidance you can overcome what has tried to break you down. The end goal will be to work as a mental health therapist, but eventually open my own practice implementing the importance of meditation, self-care, and healing. Additionally, mental health is discussed however, it is not dissected. People are not truly taking care of themselves but, they will speak on the importance of mental health because it sounds pretty. The most difficult part about healing is the patience you must have to seek through to the end. Most people nowadays speak on mental health, because it will boost sales or make them look good. I want to be the person who not only advocates for the power of being a better individual, but also demonstrates to all (especially people of color), that it is okay to talk to someone. In America, there is a stigma around asking for help, and this results in increased rates of suicide, depression, and reports of mental agony. To continue, an obstacle I have faced in my life, and continue to face everyday is dealing with my mother who is a drug addict. I used to hate my mom. She was always absent, in and out of my life, and inconsistent. When she was present, she was under the influence most of the time so it was never really fun for me. There was a time however, when my mom was a good mom. She took care of her children and herself. She was a very giving woman and did whatever she could to take care of her family. Once my younger brother passed away, she changed. Furthermore, as a child, I didn't understand the impact losing my brother had on her. I was in an outrage with my mom, because I felt she still needed to be there for my siblings and I. Now that she struggles even more with substance abuse, it is difficult for me because I have to take her place being her eldest daughter. It has now become my duty to take care of my siblings, make sure they are okay and whatever they need I feel as though I have to be able to provide it for them. My older brother is in prison, so I am the only one my younger siblings can rely on. In ending, my mom has disappointed me over the last decade or so, I have learned people face their demons in ways that feel comforting to them. I am no longer upset with my mom. Now I feel sorry for her and guilty, because when she needed my siblings and I the most, we left her. Of course I cannot feel responsible for her decisions however, I know my mother for who she really is. I know if she could, she would get clean. I never passed and though to have any empathy for her. Now, understand how embarrassed or sad she may feel. When presented with a situation, I am working on being empathetic as well as a listening ear. People make mistakes, but our mistakes hold value.

Something I love about myself, is my ability to say no. If something does not make me happy, or is not fulfilling me the way I feel it should, I will remove it out of my life. I love this about myself because, you cannot live your life catering to others. Especially if it is a person, place, or thing that is not brining you joy or improving your life. Life is about the journey and your experiences. We are only here for a certain amount of time, so why live hating every single moment? I refuse to live my life in the shadows, because what we are given everyday is too beautiful to hate or pass up. Whenever we wake up in the morning, we are given the opportunity to do something great. I will not allow something that does not bring me joy to bring me down. Furthermore, my experiences have contributed to me being able to now speak up for myself. I feel everyone needs to learn the importance of saying no, because if not people will take advantage of you. However, if you are able to understand when something is not for you, you will be able to push forward and prosper toward your own journey in life. In conclusion, I am grateful I am able to recognize when something is not for me. People will not take advantage of me, or walk over me because I understand my value and my purpose in this world! I appreciate my acceptance of myself, as well as being able to say no to whatever I feel is best. I am choosing to go down a path that is built for me, so it is of value I live the way I want.

I have learned I am a selfish person. However, I am selfish in a positive way. I have not always been the type of person to speak out for myself, but I have always had outspoken thoughts and beliefs. I am now in a state of mind where if something disturbs my peace it has to go. The reason is, because I have been dedicated to improving myself. Of course, there are exceptions, such as fighting for your morals, or working toward a goal. In most circumstances, I am selfish with my energy. I believe the transfer of energy is real. Meaning everything is energy, so you must be careful with what or who you are around. Energy will flow regardless of whether it be negative or positive. I have learned, the happier and more positive you are, the more negativity will attempt to latch onto you. In this case, you have to be stronger than the temptation. There will be people you meet who will attempt to drag you down or break you, but you have to be strong enough to continue to live in love, and positivity. I have found this information about myself valuable, because it has guided me towards a path of great success and abundance in all areas of my life. One thing I have learned in this lifetime, is sometimes you have to make sacrifices and unfortunately not everyone you love can come with you on your journey. However, this is okay, because the amount of blessings that will arise will be greater than life itself. I am selfish out of love. I love myself enough to push forward, and do what is best for me.

One way I try to have a positive impact on the world is through being a person in which people can look up to. Life gets hard, and sometimes it knocks us down when are already on the ground. I believe being kind, thinking positive, and being both empathetic and sympathetic to others is a way I share a little bit of positivity to the world. Being nice to people can greatly impact an individuals day. You never know what someone is going through, and I feel you may be just the thing that person needed as motivation or a friend. The world can be a cruel place, but it can also be a place full of wonder if you set yourself up for the challenge. I always try to wake up and start the day off with a positive mindset. I set the intention to have a great day, so that I may be of service to others. I know carrying a mindset that is happy and kind sends positivity out into the world because you are what you attract. If you wake up angry, aggravated, or negative, you will attract that same energy back. I choose to be kind to people even when they are unkind to me. It’s not because I have to, or because I feel obligated to. I do it, because I would want someone to treat me the way I treat others even if I am sometimes misunderstood. This act, although simple, has one of the greatest impacts of positivity in todays society. Blinded by social media, ruthless acts of violence all over the world, and a community where technology completely controls everything, all we have is our humanity.

My dream life consists of abundance in all areas of my life. I will be fulfilled financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I visualize myself on a beach somewhere in the world, soaking up the sun with the biggest smile on my face. I will be filled with joy knowing I have started a revolution and fulfilled my purpose in this realm. I believe the best way to live life, to do what you want. I don’t need the material things to live my dream life, because I know my purpose is going to be what satisfies me the most. I know I am supposed to be of service to others in this life time. I am here to assist others with finding who they are, and loving themselves to the highest extent. My utopia of a life will be full of new journeys, adventures, and positive lessons. While experiencing this for myself, I will also be giving others the option to have this satisfaction. The feeling of knowing and believing they are meant for greatness in this lifetime. My dream life will also consist of constant education. Our brain is the most powerful thing we have in this life. So it is crucial I am always learning, reading, being educated, and providing education. I will be happy with my career along with how I live. Of course there will be days where things will not always be perfect and the sun will not always shine, however, it won’t compare to the days I have ahead of me.

One personal finance lesson that I find important is to always plan for emergencies. I believe planning for emergencies or “saving for a rainy day” impacts your life greatly. We never want anything bad to happen to us, and sometimes we have the idea that it could never be us in a bad situation, however, it is never wrong to be careful. When I first moved into my own apartment, I had everything set. I knew what bills I needed to pay, how much to save, and what to budget while moving. However, I didn’t plan for emergencies. I don’t know why I didn’t, it was just something that never crossed my mind. That was until I had an emergency and had to use the last of my savings to pay for it. I find this lesson important for all people, especially young people, because if you have an emergency and you’re not prepared for it, you could face great consequences. It is always important to prepare for the worst, because life happens. Even though life may throw the worst of the worst at you, it will continue whether you’re on board or not. Financially, I have learned to always over save. Be ready for anything to occur, that way when it does you will be ready for the task at hand.

My name is Calayne Eleazer, and I am going to make a change in this world that is revolutionary. I have already attended college through my high school. I was selected to be in a concurrent enrollment program that allowed me to complete an Associates Degree while completing my high school requirements. I never really knew what it was I wanted to do in my life for certain, but I knew it would always involve a service to others. All of my life, I struggled with depression, anxiety, insecurities, etc. it wasn’t until my Junior year or high school I decided to improve my life for the better. Now, I know I must be of assistance to others! I want to continue my education in college, because what I specifically want to do for a career requires a certain degree level. Yes, I can assist people with finding and healing themselves through personal experience however, I need to be able to understand the underlying factors that contribute to why people act they way they do and how they cope. Understanding these aspects will allow me to better understand the individuals I will be working with. The end goal, is to graduate with my bachelors and masters in social work. From there, I will practice for a while and eventually open my own practice. This will consist of different kinds of therapy, meditation practice, and health benefits such as working out, vegan dining, etc. I plan on doing many things once I have graduated. I want to make a positive impact on the world using both my education and my personal experience. Mental health is a subject discussed more now in 2021 however, it is still expensive and in some cases not very diverse. I plan on being an owner of a powerful company and franchise that will be both black owned and family operated. My education will allow me to continue making a positive impact on others by giving more opportunities and chances for individuals to receive the help, confidence, and self love they deserve. The only way for me to accomplish my goals, is to continue my education which is why I want to keep going to school. Of course there are people in the world who are extremely successful and accomplish some of the most amazing goals without a college degree however, how would you feel talking to a therapist who doesn’t have the credentials to help you? You’d feel uncomfortable! I never want any of my peers to feel as though I am not qualified enough to assist them with their challenges. Along with being able to counsel people into figuring out who they are, I want to be relatable. Most people enjoy speaking with or working with someone who is not only sympathetic, but empathetic to their needs. Sometimes, you need someone who is willing to feel that emotion with you regardless of what it is. In some cases? sympathy isn’t enough. It is easy to say you relate to someone, but it is harder, yet more rewarding when you can actually relate to that persons pain. In conclusion, I am the start of a new era and I cannot wait! I will help thousands of people in this world no matter the destination. Everyone has a story, and we all define our traumas differently. The message I want to convey to people, is your past does not define you. You are a survivor. You are worthy. Life is what you make it, so make this experience one that would make you proud!

My favorite book is, "The Tale of Desperaux" written by Kate DiCamillo. I absolutely adore the adventure in and fantasy in this book. This story, is a tale about a mouse who is different from the rest of his kind. Everyone (including his own family) treats him differently because of his appearance. Due to how he looked when he was born, and the fact that he was the only survivor, his mother named him Desperaux, meaning; disappointment in French. This story had caught my attention he very first day it was read to my class in the third grade. My reasoning for this fictional piece being my favorite, is because of the message and value of the story. If you finish the book, the lesson is to treat people kindly regardless of their differences. I believe this is an amazing story for children and adults, because it is full of comedy, friendship, love, and mystery. One of the most interesting parts of the story, is when the little mouse finds himself at the foot of the human king and the princess. As a mouse, this is absolutely wrong for his kind. Ultimately he was disowned and sent to his death for it. However, even though he knew it was dangerous, he was drawn to the music for he had never heard such beauty before. Once Desperaux, is sent to the dungeon for his death, he must find a way to escape and save the princess from harm. I appreciate the author for incorporating the concept of bravery into the story. I feel this is a very motivational and beautiful fairytale. One that is not your everyday "Once upon a time" kind of story.

"Learn how to budget your money". This has been the most helpful piece of financial advice I have received. We are residing in a world where only a certain amount of people are both financially abundant, and educated on their finances . Most of the time, people are going broke, or struggle with their assets because they are not being taught the value of education, money management, and budgeting. Being told to learn how to budget created a spark within myself that motivated me to make sure I am always careful with my spending. It is important to understand how much money you are putting out, so you are able to know how much you are saving. It is also beneficial to understand how to manage your money. There are going to be things in life that happen without your control. Thus could be financial emergencies, death, or an idea to go on a vacation out of nowhere. Whether it be good or bad, it's crucial to understand how your money works, that way you are able to take care of things when need be. Along with learning how to budget, I was also taught the importance of allowing your money to make money. Investing in products or stocks is risky, and it takes time to learn. However, once you you know how money works, your investments could be bringing in more wealth for you. This would result in great amounts of wealth and abundance if you are careful. If you throw your money into an investment without understanding both the risks and possibilities, you could take a large loss if not careful. Manage your money wisely, so you are not losing more than you are receiving.

My name is Calayne Eleazer. I am an 18 year old African American woman. I usually stay to myself, because I am not a very social person. I played volleyball for 7 years, all while juggling with my education. In high school, I completed a concurrent enrollment program that was provided by my school, allowing me to achieve my Associates degree while finishing up my requirements for high school. With all of the the positive things I have accomplished, my life has not always been full of joyful times. My father was incarcerated when I was younger, and my mother was and still is a drug addict. Although I got my father back, I never got my mother back. She has had trouble with substance abuse for so long, I believe there is no saving her. With her not being in her full state of mind, all of her responsibilities now fall onto me. I plan on making a positive impact on the world through the education on Substance use disorder, by not only allowing myself to understand the concept of what it is, but share my experiences. I feel the reason why a lot of families go through rough times when it comes to a loved one who is struggling with substance disorder, is because they are not fully aware of what is going on nor are they properly educated. Many people look at those who struggle with this disorder as selfish or not willing to change. When in fact many of them want to receive help however, they don't know where to begin. Educating myself and educating others about substance use disorder will assist with recovery, because people will know how to approach a person who is going through this kind of struggle. When one is not informed on how to handle certain situations and topics, they go in with an immense amount of uncertainty. From personal experience, one of the hardest things about dealing with someone who struggles with substance use disorder, is their insecurity and lack of belief that they could possibly get better. My mother would discuss how much she would want to get better, but then there would be moments when she would express how the substances make her feel, and why it was so difficult for her to stop. She said it would make her feel good, or calm her when the world was moving too fast. My mom still doesn't see the negativity it has on her when she is not high. In conclusion, nobody is perfect. We all have our battles and judging a person who has a difficult time identifying and removing those struggles, does nothing but pour gas on the fire. As a society, we need to be educated on these things so we can figure out how to tackle such issues in a manner that is beneficial to everyone. When struggling with anything in life, you'll always feel better or at peace knowing there is someone there who is rooting for you. However, when you feel alone you are more likely to spiral. I will make a positive impact on the world not only through education, but through empathy and compassion. Being a listening ear will aid in ways that seem impossible, but as one we can come together and help those who truly need it the most.

I understand the importance of believing in yourself when no one else will. Yes, this may sound mediocre, however, you are your greatest attribute to your own success. I am resilient, because even when I am knocked over, I find the good and positive outlook in every situation. Life has not been easy for me, but that is not an excuse to treat others poorly, nor should it hinder my success. There are those in the world who will go through challenging times, and allow experiences to define them. In my case, I believe everything is a lesson, or something to learn from. For instance, one of the biggest struggles I had to face growing up, was the absence of my mother. She was my first heartbreak, my first rejection, and yet, my first love. Having her in and out of my life at a young age was very detrimental to my mental health. I would blame myself for her behavior, and constantly put myself down. I would always ask "why doesn't she want me?", "why am I not good enough for her?". For a couple of years, I allowed this to impact me so greatly, it caused a spiral into a depression. One day, I had gotten sick and tired of being sick and tired. It was one of my greatest battles however, I had to understand I was not responsible for her actions. I did not ask to be born, and I did not ask her to be my mother, but even with her absence, I turned my anger for her into love. I had to love her for the sake of me and my happiness. To compare, my degree will tie into the importance of mental health. As stated, my mother had a great impact on my mental health and caused me to spiral into a depression. Now that I have learned how to overcome such a great challenge, I believe it is my duty to teach others the importance of caring and loving for yourself. As well as, focusing on the positives in your life and not the negatives. In order for me to get my message out into the world, I understand I have to be properly education on what I am choosing to teach. I plan on majoring in psychology, specifically focusing on clinical psychology, and minoring in trauma studies. I will use my degree to begin teaching about the importance of mental health to others and launch my own practice. I believe it is extremely important to reach out to those in underrepresented communities, because these are the communities that typically need help the most. For example, it is no secret there is a high suicide rate in the black community, because there is a stigma over discussing your mental health status. I would start working with situations such as these and teach individuals to let go of the negative connotations associated with asking another for help, or having someone to talk to. It is a new generation, meaning it is now time to change the way we do things. We as a society need to do better, to assist, educate, and help others. How can we expect people to be successful, work hard, and happy if it is not taught or is displayed as an act of selfishness? We must do better, and I am proud to say I say I will be one of the first people to make a change!

Attack On Titans is my favorite anime and has impacted me by showing me with determination and a great support system, you can accomplish your goals. The show demonstrates the importance of standing up for yourself, while also remembering the importance and value of having the people you love by your side for support. As someone who usually is emotionally aloof, and refuses to share her emotions with just anyone, the message in this show truly got to me. I am fairly independent, so my favorite phrase is "I got it". However, sometimes we need the care, support, love, and compassion from those around us while we are handling our own lives. We may need help every now and then, and that is okay. This show has taught me, as humans we need to stick together in everything. From relationships, friendships, and family situations. We need to appreciate others.

Living in a world that is constantly moving at a rapid paste is a journey. It seems as though everyone knows what they want to do, and understands the goals they would like to achieve someday. For me however, I have always known my career would be something that would be of aid to others. The only struggle I had, was figuring out which career I'd go into specifically. For a while, I thought maybe I would be a lawyer. I wanted to help people fight for their rights, and get innocent people out of difficult situations they had unfortunately gotten into. Then, I believed I would be a nurse. Everyone loves nurses right? Now look at me. I am preparing myself to study clinical psychology with the end goal of being able to assist individuals with their mental, and emotional ways of living. Online resources have aided me in my personal career search by allowing me to research each profession, and help me decide whether it was for me or not. For example, I had thought for a while I would be a surgical technician. At the time, I wanted something that would be quick and easy. A career that wouldn't take 6 or more years. Just something that would be simple, fast, and enjoyable. I would read articles, and conduct research on the different kinds of schools and scholarships. One day I has stumbled upon a couple of YouTube videos. After I watched two or three videos, I had realized being a surgical technician was not for me. Constantly standing on your feet for hours watching surgeries, working long shifts, and sometimes having to stay hours over your scheduled shift depending on your employers demand of you. Many career sites have been extremely helpful, because they give all kinds of resources for and individual to explore what it is they would like to do on their own time. In some cases, websites provide the information needed to allow a person to sit at a seminar, or a zoom meeting to be able to ask questions about their career path. When my heart was set on being a nurse, seminars were valuable for both potential students (such as myself ) and regular students. Online seminars and visits allowed me to get an idea and concept of what it is I would be going into, and figure out if it was going to be the best decision for me. Sometimes, we feel as though we have to rush our lives. With social media and the internet advancing so rapidly, we see different types of people who have all sorts of careers in which they truly enjoy. We also are able to have a visual of those who may not enjoy their careers as much. Resources online allow for exploration, and expansion. Speaking for myself, having online resources has been a blessing. I have been able to explore so many opportunities with my career as well as the types of programs and schools available to aid me in having an efficient education. I can go and excel with whichever path I choose thanks to being educated on what I want to do. Career sites have been valuable, and I believe it can truly be beneficial to anyone who is looking for a career path, school,or even a great job. Career-focused sites have allowed me to sit down and debate on which career would be most rewarding for me. I am grateful I have such resources and opportunities.

My utopian vision for optimal mental health for the Black community would be one in which everyone understood their own power, and the possibilities in this lifetime with the right mindset. As black people, we have always been broken down, and chosen last. We are all products of our environments, and unfortunately, the world sees that as a threat. Knowing this, affects and impacts our mental health negatively. In the black community, it is no secret mental health is not discussed as much as it should be. Society does not take us seriously when we are crying out for help. In many cases, our own family members tell us to toughen up, and move on. As a community, we carry that pain and hurt with us. We are holding on to the sorrows from our ancestors and adding on what we deal with in our everyday lives. The challenges of being black men and women impact our jobs, school opportunities, income, household, retirement status, environments, etc. Mental health care and advocacy can help achieve social justice for communities of color by providing not only education, but a safe space. One of the primary causes of the black community being so negatively impacted by mental health, is it being deemed as "weak". If we are able to provide enough education, as well as resources about mental health, we will be able to reach out to the community more and help each other. There have been certain circumstances that have taken place in the black community that mentally kill us, however, we don't talk about it. The shootings and murders of our people, the segregation, the recent events with the immigrants from Haiti and so forth. Because people are not being taught how to cope, we get labeled as being violent, dangerous, and angry. Although this may be true in regards to how we feel when we are put through these situations, we are still able to maintain our composure. However, there is a line that needs to be drawn between containing your composure and burying your emotions. In most circumstances, individuals don't know how to ask for help or truly deal with what they are feeling. This is when you see people who are defensive, angry, or they do not show much emotion. Once we are able to normalize the importance of taking care of yourself when discussing the mental and emotional aspects of your health, we as a community will be able to come together. I believe once everyone is comfortable with discussing their mental health, people will be more comfortable with dealing with their emotions and releasing weight off of our shoulders. Once we are comfortable with our mental status, we will be able to discuss the things that are truly bothering us as a community, and advocate for our lives in ways that are healthy for our individual selves as well as our group as a whole. Right now, there is a sheet of tension between our lives and our mental health. We all feel as though we have to take on the world because the world has let us down numerous times. We have been murdered, beaten, enslaved, abused, and emotionally scarred for too long. It is time we put ourselves first, beginning with our mental health.

My father was incarcerated 2 weeks after I arrived on this planet. Losing him for as long as I did impacted me everyday. For a while, living life without a father affected my mental and emotional states of mind. However, my father being in prison impacted me for the better. Seeing my dad behind bars created a different type of love in my heart for him. Whenever I couldn't see him, my heart would shatter (especially being so young). Once he was released, my life was a different ball game. I had been so used to him being gone, that when he came home I was confused. Yes, I was happy however, I was also a challenge for him. Why would I listen to someone who has been gone for so long? It wasn't always peaches and cream between him and I, but once we came to an understanding we developed a bond that was and still it stronger than the power of God himself. My father being incarcerated had an impact on my education by driving me to strive harder for the things I want to achieve in my life. My dad didn't go to college, and neither did my mother. College isn't the only way to be successful however, for some it is a start. I remember being young and sitting at the table with my grandma and papa. They would make me read and write until I couldn't read and write anymore. At the time, all I wanted to do was play with my toys and be a kid. Looking back on it now, I see they were just preparing me for school. This aided my father a lot once he was released, but, my dad also began to force me to learn at home. His intention however, was the teach my both my history as a black woman in America, with an emphasis on focus. My father being in prison taught him some important lessons, so he did his best to bestow that onto me at a young age. It aided with my future goals, because he is living proof of a person being able to come back from a mistake. From going to a felon, to having a family, a great job, and doing things the right way. I am overcoming adversity through this experience by seeing the overall picture which is; mistakes are made but you have the power to overcome your past. We live in a society where people are driven by the mistakes and mishaps of others, because they are miserable in their own world. That is why we are being presented with "cancel culture", and people who are negative towards others because of where they come from, or what they have or haven't accomplished. We are all products of our environments. Some of us in the world are blessed with having the resources needed to be successful in this lifetime. Others of us are not as blessed, and may have to work harder to get what we want. Sometimes the human body and brain are taken over by the expectations of the world, and it results in bad decisions and life choices being made. I am more than grateful for all of my experiences in this lifetime whether they be good or bad. I am proud of my father and I am so blessed to have him. Someone who not only made sure I excelled in school, but who also taught me life lessons. My dad teaches me in this lifetime, be who you want to be. There will be challenges, and people who attempt to push you down or hurt you, but you have to be able to prosper on your own. He is always telling me "your thoughts are seeds, and you plant what you want. Thinking positive, and manifesting is watering the plant. Think negative and filling yourself with doubt dries out the plant". This is something I am choosing to always live by. Life gets difficult at times, but with the right mindset and a positive support system, anything is possible. I believe in this so strongly, I truly feel it is what has contributed to my success now. I am thankful my dad has been able to teach me these things.

One investing tip I have taken to heart, is to always budget. You can invest in something and have more than enough money to last a lifetime, however, you have to know how to budget. When it comes to managing your money, it is important to know how much you are spending, and whether or not your spending has been useful or reckless. When investing, you want to be educated on what you are investing in and how much money you are willing to put forth. For example, if you put your money towards a big company such as Apple, and you're not seeing the return you're hoping for, you have to know when to stop giving that product or company your money. Budgeting also contributes to our everyday life such as grocery shopping, buying gas, or purchasing personal items. You must know your limit when it comes to your bank account. Not being educated on the amount of money you are putting out, will eventually impact the amount you are pulling in.

During my 8th grade year of school, I had a social studies teacher named Mr. Gunn. Mr. Gunn was an exceptional teacher. All students and staff respected him because he taught what was occurring in real life, not just what was in the history books. On the first day of class he said to his students "I don't just teach from the book, because everyday you live and carry on, history being made". Not only was he a teacher, he was a role model. Mr. Gunn had the most positive impact on my life by showing me everyday I was able to make it in whatever field I wanted regardless of my skin, who judged me, or who doubted me. Mr. Gunn is a black man in America, so he mainly touched the hearts of his black students such as myself. I remember being in 8th grade and being so naive to what was ahead of me, but he always kept his students in check. The most important lesson Mr. Gunn taught us was; everything I want to do in my life is up to me. Yes, there will be people to motivate me, doubt me, push me, and try to break me down. However, if I want to ensure my success, I must be the person to do it. I cannot rely on another. As a first generation college student, wanting a change in my family is what drove me to go to college. Luckily for me, there was a twist. During my 8th grade year of middle school, all of the students were called to the library to take a test. Once we arrived, there was a man named Woody Longmire and a two women who I would eventually grow to know and love named Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Belet. These three people explained to us that we were about to take a placement test and depending on our scores, we will be enrolled into an early college program once we enter high school. I took the exam thinking nothing of it, and on my first day of high school, I noticed I was enrolled in a college course. From there, I took advantage. Eventually, I was the top student in my class. Excelling at everything that was thrown at me. During my junior year of high school, my counselor informed me I had more than enough credits that satisfied my high school requirements. From there I spoke to Woody Longmire and his team. I convinced them to allow me to take my courses permanently at the college. When they took a look at my transcript, the team was in agreement with my decision. Even though it was a lot of work, I achieved my goal and graduated May, 2021, with both my college degree, and my high school diploma. I also was fortunate enough to graduate with my CNA certification, and be ranked number 2 in my high school class! After experiencing this, I just knew whatever field I chose to go into, I would be successful. I have multiple family members who have attempted to go to college and quit, and some who just never made it. I understand college is not for everyone, and it is okay to take whatever route fits best for your. However, I already did it and excelled in it. So now I will continue my journey. Of course there will be times where I feel as though I am tired, or when I want to give up, but just at Mr. Gunn taught me, it is my choice.

One experience that has shaped a part of who I am today was the passing of my grandfather. My grandfather and I were very close when he was alive. He was my father figure while my biological father was incarcerated. He taught me almost everything I needed to know including what a fathers love should feel like. My grandfather was diagnosed with liver cancer. Although he lived many many years after his diagnosis, it was extremely hard to deal with his passing when the time came. Unfortunately, I had watched my grandfather pass away. As he lie there in my grandmothers bed, I sat beside him and cried. I didn't want to believe it was real, and even now as an 18 year old, I still cannot believe he is gone. This experience played a roll in shaping who I am, by giving me an impeccable amount of strength and emotional intelligence. Sometimes, I will do or say something and immediately I will think about what my grandfather would say to me or how he would feel. My papa was very great at giving advice. He had this way of sharing his wisdom without any judgment, so speaking to him when needed, never felt like a lecture, or an issue. Always a new opportunity or amazing way to vent. I miss my grandfather everyday. Every now I then I become every emotional just thinking about him. When he passed, he would always visit me in my dreams, and talk to me or just be there. He doesn't as much anymore, but when I do feel his presence, I am eternally grateful.