When words can't be spoken, they can be written. When I read, I feel at home. Books, like music or artwork, can speak to a person in a way that nothing else can. When we learn how to read, we unlock a door to a fundamental part of our being. Reading expands our imagination and strengthens our connection with the world around us. It can be concluded that our ability to grow and learn is limitless. Finding a good book is essential. Fairly recently, I discovered "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse." It's categorized as a children's book, and I believe it is a timeless masterpiece. I was surprised by how whimsical and touching, playful yet profound, this relatively short book is. The themes of friendship, inclusivity, mental health, and resilience are presented in a way that is digestible and relatable to all age groups. Charlie Mackesy doesn't shy away from the deep and difficult thoughts that appear even at a young age. Every character in this book at some point questions their worth, purpose, or capabilities. Through a harrowing journey with these four characters, Mackesy shows us how to respond to these overwhelming thoughts in a way that does not dismiss our experiences, but empowers us through the complexities of life. The curiosity of the boy, the playful humor of the mole, the courage of the horse, and the calming presence of the fox draw me in and make me feel seen. During difficult times when I once again crack open this book, I can be at peace knowing that life has its obstacles, but I have the power to brave them.

First learning how to ride a bike can be daunting. We make very timid, little steps at first with assistance. Others provide us a little push or guidance and help us go even further until finally after we have repeated this process more times than we can count, we kick off on our own. We start pedaling as hard and as fast as we can with adrenaline pumping through our veins until we feel free, enjoying the experience of riding a bike. Education has similar steps and feelings. With a new school or new subject, we might not know what to do or what to expect so we start slowly absorbing the basic material. Then our teachers and classmates help assist us further our learning and growing our knowledge, teaching us valuable lessons along the way as we go from taking in information to understanding its context. As we progress, we can take what our education has provided us and go into the world, cultivating better environments in our communities and sharing what we've learned with others, continuing the cycle. Finishing my first year of nursing school has been one of the biggest educational hurdles I've had to jump through. I have had to strengthen my mental fortitude, not only in terms of healthcare knowledge, but I've also had to balance the financial, relational, and emotional stress that can come with committing to this rigorous schooling. Throughout it all, I have been blessed with not only an expansive set of clinical knowledge but also an increase of faith in my abilities to accomplish things I have never done. As I prepare to step into the nursing role, I know that I must be ready to become a lifelong student. There will be a continuous stream of learning to be done as technology, demographics, health, and our environment continue to change. Education has opened my mind to ideas and opened doors to opportunities I have never dreamed of having as a first-generation student. I have faced many challenges and obstacles with my education thus far but I have obtained important problem-solving skills that I am actively using and expanding in college. Pursuing higher education has been a blessing and I am encouraged every day by my family, friends, and nurses around me to persist with determination and take advantage of each moment I work to one day take care of others.

I have been an avid reader ever since I can remember. When I read, I feel at home. Books, like music or artwork, can speak to a person in a way that nothing else can. When we learn how to read, we unlock a door to a fundamental part of our being. Reading expands our imagination and strengthens our connection with the world around us. With these, our ability to grow and learn is limitless. Finding a good book is essential. When words can't be spoken, they can be written. Fairly recently, I discovered "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse." It's categorized as a children's book, and I believe it is a timeless masterpiece. I was surprised by how whimsical and touching, playful yet profound, this relatively short book is. The themes of friendship, inclusivity, mental health, and resilience are presented in a way that is digestible and relatable to all age groups. Charlie Mackesy doesn't shy away from the deep and difficult thoughts that appear even at a young age. Every character in this book at some point questions their worth, purpose, or capabilities. Through a harrowing journey with these four characters, Mackesy shows us how to respond to these overwhelming thoughts. The curiosity of the boy, the playful humor of the mole, the courage of the horse, and the calming presence of the fox draw me in and make me feel seen. During difficult times when I once again crack open this book, I can be at peace knowing that life has its obstacles, but I have the power to brave them.

Often, our minds like to run their own unhelpful, confusing scripts, so why don't we give them a new script to follow? The one practical solution I've implemented into my life that can get me through moments of deep despair has been to remind myself over and over, for however long it takes, to take it one step or moment at a time. If I'm overwhelmed by a task or assignment, I'm dreading getting out of bed, or my family is this close to tipping me over the edge, I repeat the mantra. This is highly beneficial because, in a low mental state, everything feels like a big issue. Catastrophizing is one of the biggest hindrances in pushing forward because everything seems to zone in on the fact that "I'm not okay" or "this situation is not okay." Reminding oneself to take whatever is happening one step at a time makes life seem more manageable and bearable. And sometimes, all we need is to make it past the present moment to give us that tiny bit of hope that will propel us through. Now, as someone who struggles with mental illness, I know firsthand how much easier it is to speak than do something. Still, with all the work I've done, I don't have a concrete solution to this problem. Finding coping mechanisms, going to therapy, or starting medication requires a lot of trial and error. But I used to try anything and everything to help myself feel like I could breathe again. So when putting things into practice, the biggest and hardest thing that has to change is one's mindset, because the smallest desire to improve can build the motivation to take whatever action is needed to see results.