"Even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there." - Charlie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower For those of you who are not familiar with The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it tells the story of an introverted high school student who hopes to become a writer yet suffers from past family abuse. The above quote is stated by the main character, Charlie, who realizes that despite his past, he still has the power to decide his future. This lesson is so important to my life as well as for anyone who has been or is going through unfortunate circumstances. In the face of adversity, it is so comforting to know we have the ability to choose how we handle the situation and view life moving forward. From life experience, I have learned that we cannot control our past or where we came from, but we certainly can persevere to create a better future for ourselves. When I was 15 years old, my father experienced his first manic episode and was later diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. At the time of his first episode, my family and I had no idea how to handle the situation, and after six months we decided he was so detrimentally abusive that we left our own home. Since then, life has looked a lot different from what we had envisioned for our future. My father has had three severe extended episodes of mania, and in between he has suffered severe extended depressions. We have learned to take life day by day and also know that my father's mental illness will be a lifelong challenge. Realizing this honestly leaves me feeling hopeless at times; however, it is during those low moments when I cling to my faith and remind myself that I still have power over my future. Charlie's quote has given me hope and taught me to not be quick to judge others. Sometimes people have the ability to control their past, but oftentimes a person’s past is a product of unfavorable circumstances. Prior to my father’s diagnosis, I always viewed him as the strong foundation that held our family together. To watch that foundation collapse at such a pivotal period in my life has been the hardest thing, and encountering judgment from others has only made the situation more difficult. Always remember to show kindness to others and let them know that they matter; you never know what a person is really going through. It gives me great reassurance knowing that I have the power to control my future for both myself and the betterment of my family’s future. Supporting a family member with a mental disorder has most definitely pushed me to assume a stronger role in my family's life. It is almost as if I have adopted a position to rebuild that foundation for the health of my family. As a first generation graduate student aspiring to be a physical therapist, my path has certainly been challenging and many times I have figured things out on my own. Whenever I feel discouraged, however, I remind myself of Charlie’s promising statement. Knowing what I have been through and staying hopeful for the future gives me the strength to charge forward in pursuit of my goals.