The dream version of my future self is somehow who is happy with all she's accomplished and surrounded by people she loves while also participating in organizations to help those in need, such as suicide prevention groups.

As someone who currently struggles with mental health issues, I'm passionate that one practical solution for helping others is to merely talk about it. Society imposes this stigma that we have to always smile and be happy, never to reveal our true feelings or thoughts. When someone does, speak up, society labels them as attention-seeking. Generally, suicide attempt survivors are said to be wanting attention and are needy and that their life is fine. When someone successfully ends their life, society says things like, "Oh, I wish they'd spoken up." This skewed view of those who struggle with mental health needs to change, and I'm certain that if it did, these afflicted individuals would have a much easier time coping. Getting rid of this stigma attached to mental health discussions is never going to solve the problem, but it would drastically improve it. People with mental health issues need to feel acknowledged, listened to, and supported, and in today's society, they rarely get that. They need to be heard and listened to, not shut down and labeled. If society was more open and supportive to those who struggle with mental health, I guarantee coping would become easier for those afflicted individuals. Society is not usually the cause of mental health problems, but it certainly plays a part in furthering and deepening them. Sometimes, the best solutions are not drawn-out, large-scale projects, but rather as simple as offering a listening ear with no judgment or a smile to someone who is down. Ending the stigma society has attached to mental health and inviting open discussion about it would help millions of people feel validated and acknowledged, taking one large step towards an understanding society. My own experiences have made me so much more understanding and less likely to judge or assume things about those around me. Whereas my career goals have not changed, I am hoping to be a part of organizations like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and work towards ending the stigma in any way that I can. In a way, I am grateful for these experiences, however hard for me that they were, for bringing my attention to these issues and allowing me to discover a passion to save lives.

To me, writing is my way of interpreting the world and expressing my emotions. Writing is how I explore things I don't understand and dream up things and ideas not found in this world. I've often found that writing what is on my mind is the only way I can let go of something and move on. There's something healing about putting down thoughts on a concrete page that's both validating and soothing. Writing both for myself and for others is something I aim to always do. I've been an avid reader ever since I was little and always longed to be the one putting those stories out into the world. It took a while for me to realize that I can be. We are all writers on the inside and all have different stories to tell-we just have to have the patience and the courage to start. Words have a unique power in that they can change a life. Mere sentences have the ability to inspire and shape the future. I hope someday my words can have that big of an impact on someone and touch a life. Then, my work as a writer will be complete. I am blessed in that I am able to record stories and thoughts in my language, and I acknowledge that reading and writing are not things that are available to everyone worldwide. I am lucky to be able to pursue English and creative writing as the focus of my degree and I hope through my writing I can tackle some of the issues that plague my mind, such as illiteracy and book banning. I hope to use writing as my weapon to combat these issues, as I am a firm believer that everyone who wishes to read should be taught, and books not be silenced by the government for challenging the norms of our society. For me, writing is many things. It is the power to craft stories that can touch lives. It is the power to free my mind of its worries. It is the ability to speak out on tough worldwide problems. People often claim there is no money to be made in writing. This may be true, or it may be false. The truth is, I don't care. I'm pursuing this craft because it's what keeps me going in life. I'm writing because I can't stay away from it. Financial security and things like popularity couldn't be further from my mind. To me, writing is peaceful, purposeful, and powerful.

If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, I would pick "The Memory of Light" by Francisco X. Stork. It is a beyond difficult question, especially for someone who works at two bookstores, but I would ultimately choose this book because it goes above and beyond in teaching compassion and empathy. Its story is centered around themes such as mental health, immigration, friendship, and love, provoking profound thoughts and emotions and causing the reader to view the world as well as those around them differently. This book cuts right to the heart with its powerful prose and touching story and I'm sure that anyone who reads it will remember it long after they finish. Books have the power to change a life, and this one changed mine in that it altered the way I think of people. You never know what someone is going through, despite how they present themselves to the world. Everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about. Reading novels such as this will remind you to treat everyone with kindness and cast aside the darkness and hatred in this world and recognize hope and love. I have read at least150 books per year for the past three years, and I have yet to come across another book with as much insight and wisdom while maintaining an interesting, page-turning read. I think if every person on this earth read "The Memory of Light," people might be kinder to each other and abandon judgment.

Childhood Bliss The bliss of childhood naivety The horrors of the world are unknown Shielded and protected from the truth Fugitives from our parents Refusing to come inside Grass stained jeans and dirty hands Well-worn swing sets and battered sand boxes Pinecone cities for the backyard birds Dandelion wishing and daisy chain jewelry Unaware of life’s trials Ignorant to the misery Concerned only with the setting sun Because we aren’t allowed to play in the dark The Shipwreck I wonder if they can see through the disguise Do you think they see the perfect vessel I portray Or the shipwreck I am behind the facade Am I sailing across smooth seas Or crashing into the rocks below Do I let on that the gentle waves lapping at my hull Are more violent and shattering my boards Or that the winds seemingly rustling my sails Are threatening to take me under Do they see me as the patch of flowers beside the dock Or as the thicket of briars I truly am Am I a lovely seascape to them Or do they see the true shipwreck

The song "After the Storm Blows Through" (by Maddie and Tae) has the most important message to me, evident in the chorus, "I'll face that wind by your side/Even take on that rain, I don't mind/Or give you space or give you time/If you need me to/But I'll be here for you/After the storm blows through." The song speaks to me because it's about always being there for someone no matter what and being willing to take some of their hurt to make their load lighter. It's about doing whatever you can to help that person, whether it be walking with them, giving them their own space, or giving them time. Truly loving someone means you're willing to make sacrifices for them. It means you don't mind either literally or metaphorically walking in the rain with them. Unconditional love like the kind present in this song has no boundaries; there is nothing you wouldn't do for someone. I think the world needs more of that kind of love.

Learning is important to me because it affects the way I see the world and those around me. It helps me understand people and viewpoints different than my own to improve my interactions with people of all backgrounds and identities. Learning isn't something that should be associated with a classroom. Yes, that is where a lot of learning occurs, but it doesn't have to be. In this day and age, most of us are lucky enough to continue learning whatever we want, however we want, whenever we want, long after we leave the classroom. I plan to continue learning throughout my entire life. Now, I don't mean studying math and reading and sciences-although I suppose that couldn't hurt-I mean studying cultures and lifestyles that I am unfamiliar with. There are so many different ways of life out there and close to 8 billion diverse people in this world who all have stories to tell and lessons to teach. I want to expand my knowledge and continue to grow in different ways, enriching my life by learning about the lives of others. This isn't just reading up on different cultures on the internet, it's experiencing them. Interacting with those people. Exposing yourself to their food, their music, their arts, their land, etc. To really know someone, you have to walk in their shoes, and I find doing this and learning about them increases my empathy for other people and makes interactions so much more meaningful. I think it's very important to continue learning outside of the classroom and after whatever formal education you seek. Education is not where you draw the line and end your relationship with learning. Learning is something we are lucky enough to be able to do our entire lives through technology, travel, the help of others, research...Education is a privilege, and I think learning should be viewed the same way; as a gift, not a burden. Whatever it is, I think everyone ought to make sure they continue to learn something they are passionate about. Something they can use to make a difference and bring joy not only to themselves, but to others around them, in a close-knit community or to someone on the complete opposite side of the world. Learning is a very special tool everyone in this world can utilize in different ways. I know I plan to use it forever, and I can only hope that others do the same.

There are countless reasons to love dogs. They're the most loyal friends a person could have. They don't see your shortcomings, only all the reasons to love you. They never judge you and look at you as if you hung the moon. They don't know how to hate, only how to love unconditionally. Dogs, unlike humans, are incredibly adept at not worrying; they live in the moment. Over the course of my eighteen years of life, my family has had around 10 dogs. All taught me something, whether it was patience, persistence, forgiveness, etc. There was, however, one really special dog who I will never forget. Her name was Bella and she had been abused in her past. She was, as best we could gather, part Cattle dog and part Pomeranian. When Bella joined my family, I was in no way attached. She, however, was. She chose me as her person and followed me everywhere. She guarded me from the other dogs and even growled if they came near. She became ecstatic when I came home from school. Even if I ignored her, she'd continue running in circles around me and jumping up onto my legs. For a dog who had only ever been shown hate, Bella only knew how to love. Whenever I cried, Bella wouldn't try to lick my tears. She'd place a paw on my shoulder and lay her head on my chest, as if she was saying, "It's okay to cry, but just know I'm here for you." In a couple of months, Bella was my best friend in the world. She showed me how to love and spread kindness even if you were only given hate. She showed me how to live life without worry, relishing every moment. She showed me how to acknowledge the past without dwelling on it and to move forward no matter how rough life became. We don't know Bella's exact age since she was already full grown when we got her, but we estimate she was around seven when she died. Bella loved to play and could rip a toy apart in 60 seconds flat. One Monday, that's what she was doing, laying on my bed and destroying a new toy. Two days later, she died from cancer the vet had never detected and she had never shown symptoms of. Many dogs leave home when they know they're going to die, often going to an isolated place. Not Bella. She seemed weaker than usual that day and crawled into my lap around noon. Some ten minutes later I noticed she wasn't breathing. She was already gone. Bella loved with everything she had, supporting and loving me right up to the end. She could've died anywhere, but she did it with me. She stayed by my side until she left for Heaven. Bella has changed my life in countless ways. After her death, my main goal became to be the person she thought I was. I want to live and love like Bella, that little abused dog who lived life to the fullest and loved recklessly.

My best back to school tip is to go in with no expectations. We are so easily let down by expectations that are too high or unrealistic. Going in with a clear, open mind with no preconceived notions ensures that whatever happens cannot be perceived negatively; it simply is what it is. insta-emma_cecil2

As a child and still to this day, my favorite Disney character was Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. I was never very taken in by princesses, but I was immediately enthralled by Tiana because she showed me that even as a minority woman, you can get where you want to go in life. To ten year old me, Tiana was everything I wanted to be: determined, gritty, and stubborn, yet caring, understanding, and empathetic. Despite everything Tiana went through, she persevered and never once wavered in her drive to get her restaurant. All of the odds were against her due to her background and cultural identity, but she rose to the top regardless. That was something that young me admired and now significantly older me understands on a deeper level. Ambition aside, Tiana's morals and sense of wrong and right is another thing I idealized her for. When confronted by the Shadow Man and told she could have her restaurant and everything she wanted if she just handed him the necklace with the prince's blood, she refused. She'd worked so hard her entire life and he was just going to hand her her dream and life's work, but she did not accept. She knew what was wrong and right and she knew the lives of her friends-people she'd only met a few days earlier-were what really mattered. To young me, she was everything a person a should be. She showed me what a woman could do. She showed me that background is not an indicator of success or potential. To older me, she showed me life is going to try to knock you down, but to continue to get up. She showed me women are more than what we're often made out to be. She showed me the struggles of minority groups in America. She was everything I wanted to grow up to be, and now she is someone who has gone through everything that is wrong with America. Everything I hope will one day be made right.

I have been an active leader in my community in many ways. First, I ensure I inform those who don't understand or have experience with mental health disabilities. It's hard for someone to understand something that doesn't apply to them, which can make it easy to misinterpret or misunderstand. By keeping everyone correctly informed of what mental illnesses really are and what they do, we can prevent misinformation, stereotypes, and unfair biases. Secondly, I make sure everyone knows I am always open to listening. Sometimes all people need is a quiet friend to listen to their troubles so they can get it off of their chest and feel acknowledged in their feelings. I make sure I'm known to be a non-judgmental friend who will lend a listening ear with no judgment. It's very easy for mental illness to be isolating and make people feel alone or inferior, as if something is wrong with them. I make sure I make people feel like they are normal and that there is nothing wrong with them. Most everyone in the world will suffer some mental illness at one point in their life and it's nothing to be ashamed of or feel guilty over. Third, I make sure I participate in supporting organizations that make a difference, like the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, The JED Foundation, the Happiness Project, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Giving support to companies like these ensures they can continue to do the great work that they do in saving lives and educating the mental health community. Supporting organizations like these is an easy way to make a difference when you can't or don't have the time or resources to do anything yourself. Being an active leader in your community doesn't have to be a grand gesture. It can be as simple as making sure people know you support them and are there for them. Additionally, by being an educator about mental illness and correcting people when they misunderstand, you can ensure the public understands mental disorders and gives those who have them the respect and kindness they both need and deserve. We've come so far in breaking the stigma's surrounding mental health, especially men's mental health, and I have full faith that we can make it all the way and create a kind, understanding world that supports everyone, regardless of mental health differences.

My passion is horseback riding. I got on my first horse when I was five and haven't gone more than a month without riding a horse since then. As well as riding, merely spending time with horses has become the thing that makes me the happiest. This passion has shaped me and my life and influenced what I hope my future will be as well as modified how I see the world. Horseback riding has taught me many lessons. First, it taught me to never give up. The phrase "get back on the horse," is quite literal; every time I fell, I got back on. No matter whether it was my fault or the horse's, whenever something went wrong I dusted myself off and tried again. This perseverance applies to many aspects of life and has caused me to have the stubborn determination I have today. I've learned to go after what I want and not to settle for anything less and to never let anything keep me down. I always get back up or try again. Another thing horseback riding has given me is an extreme appreciation for and connection with animals. I've always been in awe of the ability to communicate non-verbally with a 1,200 pound animal through horseback riding and think that animals have so much to express and to teach us. This appreciation for animals applies to all and makes me more appreciative and aware of all that nature and animals do for us. The deeper connection I feel with animals and nature allows me to view the world as composed of millions of organisms, all working together and playing a role to make the world go around and around. This passion has given me the ability to feel free. When on a horse, my mind is clear and my heart is full. I am unable to worry or obsess over things from the past; I can only live in the moment, the wind whipping through my hair and the sound of my horse's hooves thundering out a steady rhythm against the ground. Horseback riding puts me at ease and makes me feel as if everything is all right. I feel a deeper connection to the world and can feel only bliss. This has created a lasting impact of sanctity whenever around a horse, and I know this feeling is something that will not fade with time.

I think the meaning of life is to leave the world better than better than you found it. I try to achieve this by giving back to those around me, taking care of the environment, and leaving a positive impact on the world. This world needs all the kindness and help it can get, and I aim to give back by aiding those less fortunate than me. Our environment is also in danger, and I want to correct some of this damage or at least make an effort in trying. I want to inspire change for social justice and promote equality for all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. In order to leave this world better than I found it, I want people to get along better and help those less fortunate than them. I want to combat global warming and take measures to protect our planet. I want this planet to be a better place for future generations than it was for me.

I live with gratitude in many ways. It's very easy to want for things in this world and to forget to appreciate what you already have. Every morning the first thing I see is either the sun slanting through my blinds or my cat's face. I mentally thank the sun for rising and take a moment to appreciate everything I can see; I'm in a covered house, in a bed of soft blankets, with an animal I adore curled up with me. I'm not hungry and if I am, I know there is food downstairs for me. I know I have access to clean water and clothes to keep me warm. Although these are the basics of life, many people don't have them, and by taking a moment to acknowledge that I realize how lucky I am. I appreciate the little things in life, like the way my cat yawns after waking up and the feeling of a soft blanket against my face. Appreciating the little things is a good way to remind yourself to take nothing for granted in this life and to always live appreciatively.

Confidence, to me, means being comfortable in your own skin. I'm naturally a very anxious person, so I have to work quite diligently on improving my self confidence. One of the most successful ways I've found to do this is embrace my mistakes. We all make mistakes. There's really no way around that. I've found I often labor over my mistakes far too long, beating myself up over making them in the first place. Lately I've been working on embracing them. Greeting them as a friend, rather than an enemy. Allowing myself to acknowledge the mistake and recognize that it's perfectly acceptable to make mistakes has gained me more confidence. Knowing I'm allowed to make mistakes and that they don't define me has helped me feel more comfortable and less anxious or regretful. Understanding that no one is perfect and that you are your worst critic is crucial in developing more confidence, and I'm going to continue embracing my mistakes so I can become more confident in myself.

My favorite hobby is horseback riding. It's not necessarily just the riding, either; I enjoy any time I spend in the vicinity of a horse. I've been riding since I was seven and I've never found another activity that brings me as much peace of mind or joy. I've yet to find a thrill equal to that of galloping bareback across a field, the drumming of the horses hooves beating a steady rhythm while the wind whips through my hair. I'm equally as fond of merely sitting with my horse, doing my homework on the soft grass while he grazes leisurely around me. I've always been passionate about all things horses and it's this activity that keeps me sane. My fondest memories involve riding my horse Jack through the woods behind my grandmother's house, exploring the fields and wading through a bubbling creek. I often ride barefoot and bareback, as it's best for the horse and makes me feel closer to nature. There's nothing quite like a bond between a person and their horse, and this is one hobby I don't ever see myself growing out of.

One thing that gives me hope that the future will be better is nature. Seeing the sun rise and set each and every day inspires me and shows that the world will keep spinning no matter what happens. Watching ducks swim calmly across a lake or seeing a lizard climbing a brick wall always makes me smile and shows me that the natural world will always prevail over difficulties. Nature has always calmed me and given me hope. There's something about the sound of a bubbling brook or the way the light shines through the leaves of the trees that resonates deep within me and makes me think that everything is right with the world. I'm both calmed and motivated by the natural beauty around me and I'm left with a sense of purpose and a belief that the future will be a better, safer, kinder place. Nature always rebounds, no matter what the obstacle. A fire, a flood, a tornado...new growth always emerges through the rubble. Nature is absolutely determined to prevail no matter what, and this always assures me that we humans can, too. It brings me great joy to spend time outside in nature where I feel like I belong and where I know I'm where I'm meant to be. By watching nature, I know the future will be better. We just need to keep growing and fighting like the dandelions we see growing in between cracks in the sidewalk. We must be as persistent as nature and refuse to give in. Nature faces all kinds of insurmountable obstacles, and yet the trees still grow, the birds still sing, and the sun still rises. Nothing is strong enough to defeat nature, and nothing is strong enough to defeat us. It's not just a hope; I know the future will be better.

One difficult situation I've faced was switching schools after the completion of middle school. To make matters worse, I was going from a private school, the only school I'd ever attended, to a public school. I knew no one and the school was five times as big as mine. I didn't have any friends, I kept getting lost, and I was overwhelmed with the public education system, having been sheltered and spoiled for fourteen years of my life. However, I refused to give up. I was extremely terrified and more than a little stressed out, but I refused to let that stop me. I kept wandering around in search of my classes, slowly trying to adapt to a public school and make new friends. Even when I wanted to skip school or stay quiet and not say put myself out there, I went and I tried to meet people. I went from a petrified nobody to the top 20 out of 300 students in my class with a lovely friend group and a fondness for my school. My perseverance paid off and taught me the importance of pushing through difficult situations.

My favorite way to help others is to merely be there for them. I make myself available to listen, support, and encourage them. Sometimes all people need is a friend. Helping others doesn't need to be a grand gesture; it can be as simple as just letting them know you're thinking of them or have their back. My favorite way to help is to motivate and lift them up through words. Being kind to people, even those you don't know, is an easy way to put a smile on someone's face and bring them joy. Listening to my friends' problems, offering advice or consolation, and merely being there for them is my favorite way to help. I'm very much a hands-on person and I don't want to send flowers or be impersonal, I want to be right there with them, facing whatever problem they have alongside them. It's easier than you'd think to help others.

I've found that when I decide to do something, there's no stopping me. There's no changing my mind once I've decided what it is I want and I give it my all. This has taught me a lot about myself as a person as well as my ambitions. I'm an incredibly determined and persistent person, which is good to know so I can better understand my drive and aspirations. This determination is often a good thing, but can sometimes lead to me being headstrong or too stubborn. Me being aware of this tendency helps to ensure I'm on the right track, chasing after the right things. My persistence is one of the things I value and most appreciate about myself. My drive to achieve my goals has benefited me immensely in life so far and I believe it will continue to. Regardless of what it is I'm after, my determination will ensure I get it.

I want my legacy to be for what I did for our planet. Earth has been sorely mistreated and neglected, and I'm passionate about protecting our environment. I want to be remembered for all of my contributions to saving our planet. Every day we have more animals joining the endangered species list and every day we cause more deforestation. I want to be noted for all of the efforts I made to combat the damage humans inflict. There's plenty to be done in efforts to save our planet. I'd love to be a recognizable name in Earth's preservation and inspire the people of the world to take action to save our planet before it's too late. I want to be the one who is known for saving species of animals, preserving forests, and limiting CO2 emissions. There's a lot of things I'd like the world to remember me for, but the most important would be preserving our environment.

I would say, "You are loved." There are countless people in this world who think they are not loved, whether it be because of how they're treated, how they identify, or how they look. Sometimes these feelings of neglect can even lead to suicide. Whether they're going through a hard time or merely feel unloved, I want everyone to know that they are loved and cared for, by me if no one else. There's a lot of hate and hardships plaguing this world. It can be difficult to go on, and sometimes all it takes to motivate someone to push through is to let them know they're loved and cared for. The world can be a lonely place. By letting someone know you're there for them, you're making the world less seem less large and scary. The world is much easier to take on when you know someone believes in you.

I promote diversity and equality in many ways. I've always been eager to learn about cultures and beliefs different from my own, and one way to ensure our world stays beautifully diverse is to support businesses run by them. Additionally, I always acknowledge holidays celebrated by other cultures and religions, regardless of whether or not I also celebrate it. Supporting equality can be as easy as speaking up when rights are ignored, threatened, or violated and lobbying for things like equal pay for all. In order to support equality and diversity, we must first be aware of any unconscious biases we have and keep an open mind regarding others' beliefs and traditions. By making this a continuous practice, I'm ensuring I'm approachable by people of all different ethnicities and backgrounds. Diversity is important in our society, and it's up to us to support it so everyone has a chance to grow.

One painting that inspires me is called "Change in the Air." It's an oil painting done by American artist Robert Duncan, who often depicts everyday scenes involving nature. In the painting, a young girl is standing in a stream with a dog and a cow, who is taking a drink. I admire this painting because of the simple joy it conveys. It radiates peace and serenity and promotes getting in touch with nature. Robert Duncan's work is always breathtaking, and I love his depictions of the natural world due to his photo-realistic style and attention to details. His paintings, specifically "Change in the Air," inspire me to get in better touch with nature and live a simple yet fulfilling life. The happiness radiating from his simple works of art will always help me forget my worries and smile. They remind me to enjoy the little things and find happiness everywhere.

I'm pursuing a career in writing quite simply because it's my passion. Ever since I could read, I've been spellbound by the enchanting power books hold. I've gotten lost in reading and writing and to this day have never found anything that brings me as much joy. While my classmates groaned at the idea of grammar lessons, I perked up. From learning gerunds to diagramming complex compound sentences, I fell in love with every aspect of writing. It's not necessarily a glamorous career. Writers seldom live the life of Stephen King. If I wanted fame and money, I certainly wouldn't pursue a career in writing. I'm pursuing a career in writing because I can't not write. I haven't gone a day without writing for at least an hour in a decade. I'm endeavoring to make a life for myself in the literary industry because it is my passion. It's what I live for. Books have the power to change your life, and in many cases, have. I've long admired these authors who can change the world with only their words, and after I earn an English or Creative Writing degree in college, it's my turn to try to be that author. Writing is everything to me. It's a way to express myself. To convey my feelings. To utilize my creativity. To make change in this world. It's my reason to move forward, pushing through the hard times and gliding through the joyous ones. It lights up my world during dark times and offers an umbrella in stormy ones. Writing and books are there for me even when no one else is. Even if I have nothing at all, I will always have my writing and the hope that it gives me. I'm going to have a career in writing. As over confident as that sounds, it is true. Whether it be technical writing, writing mere instructions for assembling furniture or becoming an established author, I simply have to have a career in writing. I'm determined to get the best education I can and I'm willing to put in as much work and effort that I have to in order to achieve my ideal career. Having a career in writing would make me the happiest person in the world. In this life, I can ask for nothing more than a few good friends, my family, and a career I adore and enjoy every second of.

I'm passionate about saving the bees. Bees pollinate around 80% of Earth's plants, including around 90 different food crops. However, in 2019 alone, 40% of the world's bee population was wiped out, eliminating billions of bees. Bees are facing numerous threats such as pesticides, droughts, habitat destruction, air pollution, and global warming. Notice how four out of five of those hazards are caused by humans. I want to combat the damage we're doing and save the honeybees before it's too late. I'm inspired to take on this problem by all the wonders that bees do for us. It is a fact that life as we know it right now would not be possible without bees, so why aren't we trying harder to save them? Why isn't this an issue everyone is talking about? Bees are instrumental in our ecosystem and indispensable in our society. Bees are generally viewed as aggressive irritants and feared, whereas in reality, bees are usually quite friendly and incredibly needed. Wasps, like bees, are also pollinators but significantly more aggressive and not dying at such an alarming rate. Bees are a crucial keystone species not only for us, but for countless other animals in the ecosystem, too. There are several ways we can tackle this problem. Even if you do not have the time or energy to get outside and work on correcting this problem in nature, the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is always tirelessly working on this problem and extremely appreciative of donations. There are several ways those willing to get active can help, too. Keeping a beehive is perhaps the most known method, but that is not all. Providing trees, bee-friendly plants, and water is easy enough to do and very helpful for bees, as droughts often plague them and trees provide shelter, a place to rest, and a place for some bees to build a hive. Additionally, we must go chemical free. We have to avoid using insecticides as well as eat bee-friendly, meaning avoiding products that use harmful chemicals and boycotting produce with those chemicals. We need to take advantage of farmers markets and buy our honey there to support local beekeepers as well as other local businesses. We need to be thinking about the bees during every decision we make if we want to save them. A crucial part of saving the bees is merely educating others. Many people have no idea the bees are even in danger, as all the TV news ever wants to show is politics and sports instead of drawing attention to our major environmental concerns. Many environmental issues, such as global warming, are politicized and turned into a worldwide argument. This is neither a political issue nor anything warranting an argument. The bees are being killed by our actions. We need bees to survive. It is as simple as that. We've already caused quite a bit of damage to the bee population, but it's not too late to take action and save them, we just need to act NOW.

Someone I admire from history is Jane Austen. Jane Austen was one of the few women in her time to make it as a successful writer in a literary world dominated by men. Additionally, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and became an icon on suffragette banners across the country. Jane Austen wrote six major novels in her lifetimes and several that didn't make it as big. Her six major novels are all lengthy, making the completion of six books an impressive feat, let alone their popularity. She proved a woman could make it in a man's world and even surpass the men to be generally accepted as one of the best writers in history, let alone in her time period. She wrote fearlessly and was unafraid of putting herself out there. The time period in which was wrote was hectic to say the least, and she was unafraid to incorporate some of the political problems and social friction from her daily life into her writing. Jane Austen's books remain well known and taught to this very day, some 300 years after her death. To have that long of an impact on the world astounds me and I respect her for all of her many literary accomplishments. Additionally, not only was she an incredible writer, she was an incredible person. She was a feminist icon and a close person friend of suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst. Austen stood up for what she believed in, both in and out of her novels.

A healthy lifestyle is important to me not only for myself but also for the planet and future generations. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important in order to be kind to both your body and mind as well as to promote healthy living. Having a healthy lifestyle leaves you feeling fulfilled and empowered. Living healthy ensures you're able to live your best life to the fullest capacity. I also want to be as sustainable as I can for the environment. Living healthy is an easy way to help preserve the earth and ensure our future generations can prosper and enjoy the same lifestyle we do today. A healthy lifestyle can benefit yourself, those around you, future generations, and the planet. By making healthy choices, you're treating your body and mind the best you can while also supporting companies who promote healthy and sustainable living. Living a healthy lifestyle makes me feel fulfilled and that I'm making a change to support the Earth.

My life has been changed by a dog in many ways. In the course of my 18 years of life, I've had around 9 dogs. They've all touched me in some ways, but there was one special dog I'll never forget. Her name was Bella, and she was a beautiful gray, white, and black speckled cattle dog mixed with pomeranian, as best we could tell. She joined my family after being labeled "aggressive." She'd been abused in her past and was said to be slow to trust. As soon as she met me, she latched on. She followed me everywhere. When I left, she would sit at the door and stare out the window until I returned, no matter how long I was gone. I struggle with anxiety and depression, and Bella seemed to understand this, as crazy as that sounds. Whenever I'd cry, she wouldn't lick away my tears. She would put her paw on my shoulder and lay her head against mine, as if she was saying, "It's okay to cry, but just know I'm here for you." Bella never showed anything anywhere near aggression to me. She was feisty and would play with anything she got her teeth on, although her favorite toy was a laser. She would chase a laser dot for hours and hours while my cats merely stared at her like she was crazy. Bella had my back even when I didn't have hers. One Monday in April, Bella threw up a few times. She was her usual hyper self afterwards, running around outside on her short legs like she was a racehorse. The following Wednesday, she climbed into my lap, seeming more tired than normal, and never woke up. She'd had a rare cancer the vet had never detected. I believe she knew it was her time. Many dogs run away from home to die. Not Bella. She went out with me, the person she loved, supporting me and being there for me up until her last moments. It's been around a year since she passed and I still think of her every day and believe I always will. She touched my life in so many ways and I'll never have another dog like her. She was truly a once in a lifetime dog.

My life has been changed by pets in countless ways. I've learned a lot from my dogs, who are always carefree and adept at living in the moment. Dogs don't hold grudges and they love unconditionally. Dogs are the loyalest of friends and can teach you the true meaning of friendship. My horses have taught me the importance of patience and forgiveness. They've taught me how to be confident in my own abilities and to step outside of my comfort zone. Horses are just as loving as dogs while also being their own free spirit. My python has taught me trust and how to enjoy the simple things in life. Bonding with a python is an incredible feeling, and after watching how content they are to merely sit on a rock in the warm sun, I find myself much more appreciative of all I have. My pets are more than mere animals; they're my friends. They're my family. They've taught me more than some humans have, and I'll never forget those lessons and will cherish them long after they're gone.

I've used persistence many times in life. I switched schools after eighth grade and started high school in a completely unfamiliar environment. This terrified me and I was tempted to curl up in a ball when I got home and not do my homework or make an effort to make friends. However, I persisted. I worked hard and kept my grades up and eventually even made friends. Staying determined and knowing that things would improve got me through that difficult situation. Additionally, I've had plenty of instances where I've been thrown from my horse when out horseback riding. No matter how many times he threw me off, I continued getting back on until we worked out our problems and ended up having a nice ride. My persistence in continuously climbing back into the saddle kept me from giving up and offered a nice reward when the obstacle was overcome and I was able to have a fun ride. Persistence is a crucial skill to have in life, where we're often knocked down. Having persistence and the will to keep getting up will benefit us more than giving up.

I have several different ways to make sure my friends know they're loved. Firstly, I am not afraid to tell them. Many people shy away from speaking their heart as it makes them feel anxious or self conscious, but I will always tell someone how much they mean to me. Additionally, I make sure I support my friends in their every endeavor and make sure they know that I believe in them. I try to always have their back and hope they know that I will catch them should they fall. Sometimes, making them feel loved isn't a grand gesture, it's merely offering a shoulder to cry on or a sympathetic ear. I ensure my family knows they're loved by doing what I can to help them and lift burdens, whether it be getting groceries for my elderly grandparents or doing dishes for my mother. I tell them they're loved and appreciated and communicate openly with them. Just like I do with friends, I make sure they know I have their back and will always be there to help with whatever is needed; they just have to say the word.

Spending time outside makes me happy. When I'm seated on the cool grass being serenaded by a group of birds, the sky a vibrant baby blue, I am carefree. I love the feeling of my bare feet on grass and the gritty thrill of climbing a tree with no shoes. I love lying on my back and watching the clouds float by. There is nothing that fills me with bliss more than spending time with nature and playing with my pets. Watching my dogs and cats wrestle never fails to make me smile. Watching my horse roll around in the cool shade of his pasture always makes me feel content. There's many small things I derive joy from as well. The smell in the air after a springtime rain shower makes my heart feel light. The smell of a freshly mowed lawn makes me feel like a kid again. There are so many aspects of nature that fill me with happiness and whisk away my worries. I'm incredibly grateful for the natural world around me and will always turn to it as a sense of comfort.

The main item on my bucket list is to travel outside of the country. I long to explore other cultures and landscapes and learn about lifestyles different from my own. Travel is ultimately rather expensive and things are often complicated by COVID or other unexpected factors, but I do believe I will set foot in another country before my time on this earth is up. I've checked several things off my bucket list already, such as travelling to my favorite state of Maine, encountering a live horseshoe crab in the wild, owning my own python, and catching sharks deep sea fishing. I don't have a physical copy of my bucket list; I merely store my desires in my head. There's plenty of things I'd love to do, but I don't necessarily keep a list so that I don't become fixated on something I might never have the experience of. I'm ultimately very grateful for all the experiences I get to have on a daily basis and take the opportunity to do more whenever I'm presented with it.

One of my favorite tips to clear my mind is to imagine a happy memory and immerse yourself in the details. I often do this by choosing a moment in which I felt true bliss and try to remember the small details, like what the air smelled like, what I saw, what I felt, etc. It helps me to focus on something while also reminding me of a happy time, making me grateful for the past moment as well as subtly reminding me I will make more happy memories in the future and that whatever I am feeling is temporary. An activity I've found that never fails to clear my mind is horseback riding. When I'm racing across a field on the back of a horse I trust and love, it's physically impossible for me to worry or think of anything but the thrill and exhilaration coursing through my veins. I try to live only in the moment, feeling the hair whip across my face from the wind and feeling the horse's powerful muscles stretching underneath me. I focus on the birdsong and the steady rhythm of his hooves pounding the earth. I smell the fresh air and feel his coarse mane in between my fingers. It's in moments like these when my mind is as clear as it can be and I am the least worried, living entirely in the moment. Just like exercise in the form of horseback riding, journaling is a way to get all of my emotions out, acknowledging what I am feeling as well as feeling heard by putting it down on paper. Writing it down always makes me feel as if I can let go of it once it's recorded on paper. It's like I'm switching it from being stored in my brain to being stored on the page. It truly lifts the burdens from my shoulders and makes my heart feel lighter. Journaling is always a good choice when I need to get something off of my chest but don't necessarily want to tell anyone. My last method may seem a bit odd, but I talk myself through whatever I'm feeling. I don't mean I talk to myself in my head, I mean I talk to myself out loud. It helps me focus on a sound, my voice, instead of my worries and is an easy way to reassure myself. In talking to myself, I can tell myself things I need to hear, like, "Hey, it's okay to be anxious about this but we've gotta push past that. We can do this, ignore all those negative thoughts." Although it may seem silly, it does actually help to calm myself down and make myself more rational before my anxiety spirals out of control. Those are the methods I have found work best for me. I've known friends who do completely different things. We're all different in how we think and stress, and methods that work for some might not work for others. Everyone has different ways of coping, and if it helps you, I say forget what everyone else thinks and do it.

My experience with mental health has drastically changed my understanding of the world as well as my ambitions and relationships with those around me. Before I struggled with mental health myself, I was unable to truly connect with or understand those with mental health disabilities. Now, however, they're the ones I connect most with and find I can truly relate to. Struggling with depression and anxiety has broadened my perspective on a number of things. I find myself judging people much less, as I now know what you see on the surface is rarely representative of what's on the inside. Everyone is fighting a battle invisible to society, and you only ever see the side of them they choose to show you. My own experiences have made me considerably more understanding and empathetic for those around me, regardless of if I know them or not. Additionally, my understanding of the world around me has been altered. I'm much more grateful for simple pleasures in life, whether it be the smell in the air after it rains or the feeling of your toes in the sand. After struggling for so long with depression and anxiety, I look for joy in even the simplest of places. There's so much happiness to be found in the little things if you only remember to look. My goals have also been changed by my own mental health experience. Although I strive for the same career, I'm now insistent I stay active in the mental health community and would love to take up a position of leadership in a mental health charity or organization where I can make a difference. Having been in the place of those who need help, I also think I would be willing to undertake the emotional burden of being a suicide hotline operator, confident in my ability to make an impact in someone's life. Having my own difficulties with mental health have indeed changed my ambitions for the future, but I wouldn't undo it even if I could. I find myself a more understanding, kind, and empathetic person. Struggling with depression and anxiety has made me even more grateful for my happy moments, and I think I truly appreciate things now that I overlooked or took for granted before. Although mental health disabilities are truly a debilitating obstacle to overcome, I am proud of where I am now in life and only hope I can help someone else feel the same.

My favorite scientific discovery may be a rather broad topic, but my favorite is the discovery of vaccines. We've come so far in the realm of scientific discovery and discovered so much, but it was the discovery regarding vaccines that has benefited us humans the most. The WHO predicts vaccines prevent 2-3 million deaths every year. Therefore, in my eighteen years of life, roughly 54 million people have been saved by vaccines. There are so many different vaccines that can help so many different illnesses and ailments, making the discovery of vaccines so monumental. This is one scientific discovery that has so many applications to benefit humanity and has countless applications. Vaccines are not something that we discover one year and never advance; vaccines continue to grow and emerge, the most notable example being our recent COVID-19 vaccinations. Should we not have discovered vaccines, humanity would've suffered so much worse due to epidemics and possibly would not exist at all. Due to the multifarious benefits of vaccines, their discovery is without a doubt my favorite.

One of my talents is my horseback riding prowess. I've been riding since I was around seven years old and have learned so very much over the years. I've been lucky enough to have my own horse for six years now, and together we make quite the team. However, since we are so accustomed to one another, it's hardly any work. To ensure my skills stay sharp, I often practice equitation on other horses. That way, I can be sure I'm practicing and improving my skills and not just sinking into a routine with the horse I'm most comfortable with. There are so many different aspects of horseback riding that it's quite a gratifying feeling when you become somewhat skilled. However, horseback riding is a very broad sport, with many different disciplines. As good as I may be, I will never be through improving, as there is always more to learn.

I hope my mentorship causes those I mentor to strive for excellence and encourages them to be better versions of themselves. Through mentoring those younger than me, I enjoy helping them through challenges I myself faced and pushing them to be the best they can be. I hope I inspire them and build up their confidence so that they believe in themselves just as much as I do. I hope they feel ready and capable of handling whatever challenges life throws at them and remember what I've taught and told them in the future. I'm less interested in the more trivial successes like good grades and more interested in the sort of person they grow into. I want to make a lasting impact on their character and influence who they become and what sort of an impact they're going to make on the world. Most of all, I hope they feel supported by my mentorship and know that if no one else has their back, I do.

I'm committed to being selfless because it fills me with joy to know I can make a difference in someone else's life. I've helped others in various ways. For starters, being selfless takes on different forms. You can be selfless without having to make a grand gesture. Being selfless can be as simple as putting someone's need before your own or as complicated as going out of your way to help those who are less fortunate. I've helped others financially as well as collecting food for those who had none. Additionally, being selfless can look like putting your own feelings aside and supporting someone, like if someone were to support a friend who began dating their ex. This would show their ability to put their friend's happiness above their own and support them regardless of how they felt. Being selfless will never look the same for everyone, and there's plenty of ways to be a selfless person.

My favorite piece of art is an oil painting done by Robert Duncan out of Utah, called "Hay for My Friends." I'm drawn to this piece for two reasons: the sheer beauty of it, and nostalgia. This painting is very similar to my own childhood. Growing up, my grandmother allowed my sister and me to keep our horses at her barn. Whenever it snowed, my sister and I would spend the night at her house to ensure that if it snowed, we'd still be able to feed them. We would trek up her long driveway pulling bales of hay to deliver to the horses. I remember the snowflakes getting caught in our hair and eyelashes and the sound of our boots crunching through the snow. Every time I look at it I feel nostalgic. Additionally, the painting is simply gorgeous. The hyper realism is astounding, and I could be convinced it was a photograph and not a painting. Robert Duncan's paintings will always hit close to my heart due to his impeccable style and precision. His multitude of ranch style paintings always take my breath away, but it is "Hay for My Friends" that holds my utmost love.

One personal finance lesson I have taken to heart is to always set aside a bit of your paycheck for emergencies and unplanned expenses. At some point in their life, everyone is going to have to deal with a sudden expense, and instead of only occasionally setting money aside, I've found great wisdom into always putting some money from a paycheck into a savings account. It's very easy to only look out for your checking account, and I've learned through experience that is not an ideal way to operate. Not only does having a standard deposit into your savings account help for expenses in the near future, it establishes a very healthy habit of always setting some money aside and planning for the future. I find I am always less stressed when I know I have some money in savings and am capable of handing an emergency should the occasion arise.

My turnaround story from my life would be how I overcame my depression and anxiety and even expressed it in the form of poetry. Mental disabilities can be crippling, and I'm very proud of how I overcame my struggles and triumphed. In having depression and anxiety, you feel like you matter or are worth less than everyone else. Instead of allowing my depression and anxiety to be a disadvantage, I creatively used it to my advantage and expressed myself through my poetry. This expression of my inner feelings helped to free my soul and ended up being crucial in overcoming the afflictions of depression and anxiety. Of course, mental disabilities are generally not something you can ever be cured of, but as of now I have mine under control and have regained control of my life. Overcoming these obstacles will forever be something I remain especially proud of throughout my life.

I have many goals for the future, some career oriented and some more personal. Although I certainly have ambitions regarding my future career, I also have goals regarding the sort of person I want to be and the impact I want to have on the world. Career wise, I'm incredibly determined to become a successful book editor and publisher, preferably with a small publishing house. I've wanted a career in the literary field for as long as I can remember and I'm absolutely set on achieving that no matter what. As for my personal goals, I want to be the kind of person you can rely on for help. I want to be an understanding, self-less person people trust and look up to. I aim to be a person who helps others and leaves a positive impact on this world. I do not care if I am not remembered in death, but I strive to be someone who makes a change while I am here.

I encourage others by always supporting them and building up their confidence. Supporting others does not require a grand gesture; it is quite simple to do and is sometimes all it takes for someone to feel motivated. Supporting others can be verbal or physical. Sometimes a mere high five or hug is enough to support someone. Other times, they need long, thought out conversations. I make myself known as a person willing to do whatever is needed to support someone and really enjoy supporting those I'm close to because I really do want them to succeed. Building someone's confidence is not always easy but is a surefire way to encourage and support them. Confidence is key to everything, and helping someone increase their confidence can make them feel more prepared and worthy of whatever they're facing or going through. I'm always happy to support those around me by whatever it takes, whether it be as as simple as a hug or as a complicated as talking for hours.

My goals for the future include becoming an editor and publisher of books working in a small, locally owned publishing agency. I've always been spellbound by books and the power they hold and would love nothing more than to have a career with them. In order to achieve success, I'm motivated to learn all I can about grammar and the English language to improve my editing ability. Additionally, I'm determined to put in as much hard work and effort required to learn all I can about the publishing industry. I think achieving success really comes down to how much hard work, effort, sweat, and tears you're willing to put into something. It matters less what you say and think and more what you do. If you work as hard as you can and are absolutely determined to succeed, I believe you will. As I've always been told, "if there's a will, there's a way."

Relaxing and taking care of your mental health is crucial in this day and age. There's always something stressful being discussed on the news and all the problems we know the world is facing weigh us down. We must be conscious of what our body and mind tell us and relax some before we burn out. For me, relaxing looks like reading a good book outside in the summer sun while my dogs romp in the yard. Nature has always been a major stress reliever for me and reading has been my escape from reality even since I was introduced to picture books as a child. Doing these simple activities is like my reset button, where I clear my mind of all negativity that's been building up and let my body simply be. Breathing deeply out in the fresh air is always a major calming experience for me. There's something about both books and nature that just feels like home.

I make sure to treat others with empathy by ensuring I'm a good, non biased listening and never cast judgement on them. Treating others with empathy is important to me because you never know what someone is going through, and this world could use a little more kindness. You only ever see the side of someone that they show you. You know nothing of what is happening in their head or their life. Everyone is fighting a battle that's invisible to the rest of society. We must be more conscious of this and treat people with empathy because we're all in the same boat, doing whatever we have to get by in this life. Treating others with empathy is an easy way to show support and understanding without having to make a grand gesture. Treating others with empathy should be a top priority for everyone, because sometimes all it takes a little kindness to put a smile on someone's face.

I stay committed to speaking my mind by promising myself that if I need to speak out, I will gather the courage and do it. I am generally a fairly shy, quiet person. However, there are times when I feel something needs to be said, and in those times, I'll do what needs to be done and stand up for whoever or whatever needs it, including myself. I speak my mind most on issues of racial, cultural, and environmental origins, for those are the issues I am most passionate about. I'm more of a listener than a speaker, but even listeners need to stand up for what is right when the occasion arises. I stay committed to speaking my mind by vowing to speak my part if need be. Despite my shyness, I would feel much too guilty if I let an injustice occur merely due to fear of speaking up and taking a stand or making a change.

My life is fueled by many things, although the main factors are my friends, my family and my pets, reading, and writing. My friends are crucial to helping me face whatever obstacles I come up against as well as offering me unconditional support. My family has been instrumental in affecting the way I've turned out today and always motivates me to be the best person that I can. Additionally, I'm extremely devoted to my pets, which consist of seven dogs, two cats, four horses, and a python. They inspire me to keep going when the going gets tough. Although plenty of live things keep me going, there are activities that keep me putting one foot in front of the other. Reading and writing make me the happiest person I can be and motivate me to reach for the stars. I long to read more stories and learn even more, savoring each book. I become motivated to become an even stronger writer and to write my own stories. Between my friends, family and pets, writing, and reading, I'm confident I'll be able to handle anything life throws my way.

In five years, I see myself as an editor and publisher of books at a small, locally owned publishing house. I've known that's what I want to do with my life since eighth grade and have no reservations; now all I have to do is put in the work and effort to achieve it. For as long as I can remember, I've been enchanted by books and the unique power they hold. I've always been the weird kid who was eager to learn grammar, actually enjoying the challenge of labeling every word and diagramming the sentence. For this reason, I'm often requested to edit the papers of my peers, being skilled at spotting improper grammar as well as having a knack for critiquing the style of writing itself. I'm thrilled at the prospect of being able to do what I truly love every day of my life and make a career out of. I'm fully prepared to do whatever I have to in order to make it a reality.

I love nature for countless reasons. I appreciate nature by doing what I can to protect it and treat the environment with kindness. In an ever changing society, the environment and nature are often mistreated and neglected, and it takes people with environmentally conscious mindsets to right these wrongs. For one, nature puts both my mind and body at ease. I love nature because of how soothing and calming it is to find yourself next to a bubbling brook or to watch children laughing in a field, making daisy chains. I'm often made speechless by the stark beauty of nature; a vibrant field of flowers, a great, daunting tree, the intricate pattern of veins on a leaf...Nature always fills me with happiness and makes me feel at home; sometimes more at home than I feel with my fellow humans. Nature reminds me that everyone and everything has a purpose in this world. Without nature, we would not be here. Without nature, I would feel lost.

I have stayed optimistic through tough times by refusing to let the intrusive, negative thoughts enter my mind. I've remained determined to keep a positive mindset because nothing good can come from being negative. Remaining optimistic has taught me that there are many benefits in keeping your head up. If you allow yourself to worry and become a pessimist, you're going to end up wasting a lot of time downhearted and obsessing over things that most likely won't even happen. Time spent worrying is time wasted; worrying will not fix your problem and will only rob you of moments you could have spent happy instead. There is always something to look forward to. There is always beauty and happiness to be found. Being optimistic has taught me to seize happiness and remain hopeful even in the darkest of times, for it is in the darkest times when optimism matters the most.

My life so far has been centered around my love for books and literature. What seemed only a hobby turned into a passion and then a desire for a future career in literature. My love for reading and literature has made me realize that I would be happiest working with books every day of my life. This realization has changed my entire hope for the future. I now aim for a career in editing and publishing books. I think I have the best change for success in a career where I'm working with things I truly love. Working in a career with books and literature would make my job seem less like work and more like the privilege of getting paid to do what I love. What was at first a mere hobby has now become something I'd be comfortable doing for the rest of my life, and I'm forever grateful to have the courage to pursue my dream.

The wisest thing I have ever heard was a quote attributed to Randy Armstrong, reading, "Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace." Being a constant worrier myself, this quote resonated with me and really made me think about the time I've spent worrying. It made me realize that all the time I spend aimlessly worrying could be spent riding my horse, reading a good book, or spending time with friends. It's very easy for worrying to spiral out of control until it completely occupies your mind. Anyone who has ever worried knows it's considerably difficult to stop once you start. When someone read me this quote, it made me stop and really think about what could be gained from worrying. I came up with nothing. The more I thought about it, the more I realized the truth in that quote; worrying was only going to waste your precious time and it would do absolutely nothing to prevent whatever worried you from coming. All that time obsessing over one thing was time you would never get back, and life is much too short to waste even a second. Hearing this wise quote has no doubt greatly limited the time I spend worrying, and I hope it impacts others in the same way.

The most inspiring book I've ever read is called "The Memory of Light" by Francisco X. Stork. There's quite a few reasons this book is my favorite, and although it is considered young adult fiction, it is centered around heavy themes of suicide, mental illness, toxic and healthy family relationships, friendships, immigration, and minority groups. The profound messages in this book will resonate with you long after you finish it. As written on the cover by author Stephanie Perkins, “This book might just save your life,” and I couldn’t agree more. This book inspired me to be my authentic self and never to feel ashamed about having anxiety and depression. It taught me that mental disabilities do not define us, nor do they affect what we can and can't do. Through its brazen characters and beautiful prose, it's inspired me to be proud of who I am and never think any less of myself due to any flaws I possess.

Giving is important to me because I love putting a smile on someone's face. Giving fills me with a sense of joy, whether I'm giving a gift to a friend or a few dollars to the homeless man on the corner. Giving is a thoughtful way to say you care or that you appreciate what's been done for you. It makes me feel fulfilled and that I can do something that impacts others. Giving back to the community is about saying you appreciate what they've done for you and want to pay their kindness forward by doing something for them. I'm very grateful for what I have and the life I lead, and giving, either to the community or someone around me, is my way of expressing my appreciation for all I've been given in life. Knowing I can help others gives me a sense of worth, knowing that I can be the reason for someone's happiness.

Listening to others is not merely allowing your ears to hear the words they say. It means really thinking and taking into consideration what they're saying. It means imagining where they're coming from and why they say what they do. Listening is not just a way of being polite. It's a way of showing solidarity and offering support. Sometimes, all someone needs is a good listening ear so they can get off their chest whatever emotions they have bottled up. Listening is a way of being a good friend. I try to be recognized as a non-judging, empathetic person who will always listen. I want people to know they can talk to me and that I'll offer advice if they want it, or merely listen so they can disclose their feelings. I actively listen by putting my own opinions, thoughts, and reservations aside and listening wholeheartedly to what they're saying. Listening is something I think people of the world need to do more of.

One of my favorite simple pleasures is the smell in the air right after it rains. There's something about it that makes me feel like a child again, and it fills my heart with joy. It makes me feel closer to nature and that we're all-plants, animals, and humans-on this earth together. This simple smell makes me feel like I'm on top of the world and no one and nothing can bring me down. Yet another of my simple pleasures is the way a fresh marker writes across a white page. There's something incredibly satisfying about watching the color streak across the page. There's quite a few struggles and obstacles we must overcome in this life, and sometimes it's hard to find anything positive. That's when I remember there is beauty and joy to be found in every little thing, everywhere, no matter where you are. I rely on my simple pleasures to remind me there IS beauty to observe if you only remember to look for it.

I'm passionate about writing. There's something spellbinding about using only words to paint a beautiful scene in someone's mind. Oftentimes, I feel like a faucet, and words pour out of me and onto the page in the form of poetry, and it is in those moments I am blissfully content. Books hold a rare power; they educate us, entertain us, change our opinions, and even save our lives. I've read plenty of books that end up making me feel less alone in this world and reinvigorate my desire to live. I've never come across a better form of expression than writing. In writing, I'm able to be completely myself and detail my feelings openly. I take great pleasure in all forms of writing; creative writing, journalism, poetry, and even essay writing. There's something magical about stringing sentence after sentence of words to convey an idea or message that has the potential to change the world. I've had this drive ever since I learned to read, and I am quite sure it will never leave me.

I want to leave the world a better place than I found it by making a difference in the mental health and suicide prevention community. As someone who suffers from mental health disabilities like depression and anxiety myself, I'm quite passionate about helping those who suffer like I do and preventing as many suicides as I can. I hope to make an effort by continuing to remain active in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and maybe even operating a suicide hotline someday. I believe every life is precious and worthy of happiness, and I want to do whatever I can to convince people of this. I think if I were able to contribute to ending the mental health stigma and save a few lives, I would consider my own life a success. Reminding people that they are loved and cared for is sometimes all it takes to save a life. I think if this world were kinder, we might be able to drastically decrease yearly suicide rates. There are kind people willing to dedicate their lives to saving others' lives, and I want to be one of those people for the rest of my life.

I think the best way to live a long, healthy life is to treat your body kindly and listen to what it tells you. Exercising, eating right, and engaging in self-care are all ways to be kind to your body, staying away from threats like cigarettes, too much alcohol, and drugs. Listening to your body is also crucial, as sometimes we work so hard and get so involved with everything, we forget to slow down and rest both our minds and bodies. We must try to worry less, as worrying does physically decrease a lifespan as well as take away precious moments we could spend joyfully. We need to enjoy and be grateful for every priceless minute of life we are given. There are many practices that benefit both the mind and body, such as daily walks which exercise our body while invigorating our mind. If we treat both our body and our minds kindly, I believe we will enjoy a long, prosperous life.

I'm not entirely sure what made me develop a passion for the Arts. Perhaps it was always there inside of me, just waiting to be drawn out. Perhaps it emerged after admiring my grandparents' old Robert Duncan paintings lining the foyer, or reading Robert Frost in my hammock with my dog. I've found the Arts, mainly sketching and poetry, to be the best way to convey my emotions into something worthwhile. It's the best way for me to express my anxiety and depression and it brings me great peace. I've discovered how to use sketching as a means to translate what I'm feeling into something that can connect to other people. It's a way to take my ugly feelings and turn them into something creatively beautiful. It's a way to confront my depression and face it head-on, using it to my advantage rather than considering it a disadvantage. As much as I enjoy expression through sketching, my favorite form of expression is poetry. I love that I can take awful feelings and make the words lovely and flowing. My mental health influencing me to discover these methods of expression has turned me on to desire a career in poetry, writing, and even book publishing. I'm quite certain there are plenty of people who could benefit from these forms of mental health expression, either through reading through a collection of poems or visiting an art gallery. In addition to influencing my future career, my experience has positively impacted my relationships and interactions with others. I've become much more aware that everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about. I understand that we're all just trying to make it and that mental health disabilities like depression, anxiety, and many more generally paint those who have them in a bad light. These disabilities say nothing about our personality, nor our creative potential. We are more than our disabilities. I've always been quite active in the mental health and suicide prevention community as I truly believe we can change, and even the save, each other's life; all we need to do is provide a safe, non judging place and offer support. I don't believe my active status in the mental health and suicide prevention community is a temporary thing; I believe I have found one of my callings and will stick with it as long as I live. If I can save even just one person from the demons in their mind, I will consider my life a great success.

I keep a growth mindset about the opinions of others. It's easy to slip into the mindset that your opinions are correct and everyone else is wrong. However, this is far from the truth, and I've changed my opinion after hearing someone else's plenty of times. The people around us have more to offer than we tend to give them credit for. If we convince ourselves our opinion is the only one to matter, we will miss out on hearing opinions that might just change our mind and how we look at things. Keeping a growth mindset about the opinions of others keeps me humble and interested in the thoughts of those around me. Whether or not I end up agreeing with their opinion is irrelevant because all that matters is I'm open to what they have to say. This mindset makes me a better listener as well as a more respectful, easy to talk to human being.

My favorite form of self-care is downtime with my pets, either curled up in bed with a cat or outside walking a trail with my dog. Animals have always been immensely therapeutic in my life and spending time with them always lets me unwind and forget all of my problems. Animals are very pure and loving, and they remind me that this world isn't so bad and that as long as I have a furry friend by my side, I'll be okay. Self-care returns to me to my best, most charged state. It releases all of my stress and charges up my drive and motivation again so I'm prepared to take on whatever task I face. Without self-care, I overwork myself until I have no desire or motivation to do anything; I just feel burnt out. By giving myself time to decompress and recharge, I'm ensuring I'm in the best mental and physical state to do my best work possible.

To me, friendship is not having someone around when I'm at my best, it's having someone around when I'm at my worst. It means that I know there is another person in this world who I can rely on and be myself with. Friendship means that I don't have to go through this life alone; there's someone willing to go through it with me. A true friend is there for you when no one else is and supports you even when you're at rock bottom. They don't judge or criticize you, only build you up. A good friend is loyal, understanding, and honest. Friendship, to me, is not limited to humans. It's more a feeling; a feeling of love, care, and ease. It's a feeling where you're comfortable and at home. I've found true friendship with humans and animals alike. Friendship means to me that I know I've got someone who is willing to help me over whatever obstacle I may face, and they know I'll do the same for them.

Being patient is important to me because it teaches you that not everything is in your control, and it's okay to have to wait. Patience will save you from a lot of unnecessary angst and frustration and teach you to slow down and enjoy the little things in life while you wait. Patience also makes you a more understanding and empathetic person. If you're always rushing and in a hurry, you're prone to miscommunication and arguments over things that don't really matter. You have to understand that there are some things that just take time, and there's nothing you can do to speed up the process. Patience can save you from laboring over things you can't control and wasting time. Patience is crucial for me because it keeps me humble and prevents me from getting hung up on something minor. It reminds me to stop and smell the roses, per se, as I wait.

I learned to never judge someone based on looks, and that you need to walk around in their shoes before you can understand what they're going through. I once had a classmate who was always perky and friendly. For this reason, I automatically assumed they were a happy person whose life was going well. As we became friends, I realized that couldn't be further from the truth, and how someone presents themselves to society is not always how they truly are. This revelation has helped me greatly in life. I now keep an open mind and resist jumping conclusions based on how someone seems. I know now that it's often merely a facade, and you have no idea what they're going through in life. This has changed my entire perspective, as I now find myself rarely judging others, knowing that they're fighting a battle only known to them. Understanding that you only see the side of someone they want you to see is crucial to becoming a more respectful, considerate person.

I employ many practices to ensure I have a positive impact on the climate. For starters, I am very conscientious about how often I drive. If I can walk or ride my horse instead, I will. Additionally, my friends and I also ride together in one vehicle as a group when we have the same destination. Car emissions of carbon dioxide account for around 1/5 of the USA's total emissions of CO2. It's very simple to make more environmentally friendly decisions regarding car travel, and you're taking a drastic step towards reducing your carbon footprint. In addition to global warming, we have a serious problem with trash and litter. Most of what garbage ends up in oceans and overflowing landfills could have been prevented. To help reduce the amount I throw away, I always use a reusable water bottle to cut down on my plastic waste. We generally use reusable cloth bags when buying groceries and are careful to buy products we can recycle after use. There are so many easy ways to look out for the environment that cost you very little if anything to do. If more of us start practicing making better choices for the earth, we'll be on the right path to preserve the environment for future generations.

I think the biggest problem facing the world right now is global warming. Unfortunately, there are countless problems plaguing the world right now, but I think the threat of destroying our planet is the greatest. Global warming is affecting the entire world. Temperatures are rising and glaciers are quickly becoming a thing of the past. In order to work on lessening the severity of this problem, we'll need to act fast and become very serious about decreasing our carbon footprint and turning to sustainable sources for our everyday products. Many companies have already declared goals to become carbon neutral, but this is not enough. The severity of the problem requires fast action, not empty promises of reform for the future. If we want to save our planet, we need to act now. We need to dramatically decrease our carbon impact and become more mindful about the products we buy. Luckily, there are a few organizations out there who have become completely sustainable and carbon neutral. It is not easy, but it can be done. By taking our service to them, we can establish healthy practices of supporting those who also support the earth. Even these actions won't be enough to stop climate change, but hopefully we can curb its growth until we develop a more permanent solution. We can no longer purchase based on convenience or desire; we must take the health of the earth into consideration, or I fear we will not have an earth that is livable for much longer.

My main goal for the future is to bring something to society. I want to be someone who makes an impact, not someone who lives quietly and dies forgotten. I hope I'm able to offer something to society and improve the lives of those around me. I hope to be a publisher and editor of books. Books have always been exceptionally important to me, and I do believe they have a lot to bring to society and can even change someone's life. I want to be an understanding, generous, and helpful person. I know I can make an impact on my community both through personal and career related actions. I've always been an incredibly persistent individual who lets nothing stand in her way and always gets back up once knocked down. Although there are certainly a lot of unknowns in my future, I'm quite sure I'll do anything I can to become the person I strive to be and do all I can to make an impact on the world.

My best skill is my horseback riding. I've been riding since I was around seven, and I've gotten consistently better with each year. As good as I may be, there's always plenty to learn. To improve my skill, I continue taking lessons with a number of instructors as well as riding different horses. Each horse is a bit different, so riding multiple helps me fine tune the skills I already possess as well as develop new skills. In addition to practicing my skills, I continue to build bonds with horses. When riding a horse, you're in a team of two; you, and your horse. Neither one has any more control than the other, and you work together. Connecting with the horses builds trust and friendship and makes it easier for rider and horse to communicate when riding under saddle. I run my family farm, feeding horses every morning and night and tending to their needs myself as well as riding multiple times a week. I am confident I will continue improving my skills the rest of my life, as I'll never be absolutely perfect.

To me, joy is the carefree feeling where you forget all your problems and can feel nothing but blissful exultation. When you experience joy, you feel as if you're on top of the world and that there is absolutely nothing that can bring you down. You feel like you're floating on a cloud and that if you jumped, reaching for the stars, you could grab them right out of the sky. I seek out joy in all the little things in life. Sure, a field of beautiful flowers is lovely, but I get just as much joy spotting a dandelion growing through the concrete pavement in a busy city. I feel joy when I'm around nature and animals. I feel joy around friends and family, even if we're not doing anything special. Sometimes, just sitting in silence, studying with friends is all you need to feel joy at their company. Joy can be found everywhere if you only open your eyes to look.

In order to achieve academic success, I often try to teach whatever subject I am studying to my horse Jack. Naturally, I can't say he learns much, but it is a way for me to test if I really know the material. Trying to teach someone else has often been very helpful for me to see if I actually understand something. For example, if I am learning a difficult calculus topic, I sit down and try to explain how to solve the problem to Jack. If I go through the steps and solve the problem correctly, I know I've got it. If I struggle with explaining the steps or miscalculate, I know I need to review more. This method works with all classes; for english, I recite the vocabulary word, definition, part of speech, and a synonym to Jack. (I suppose by now he has quite the vocabulary.) For history, I walk him through the different ages and describe events to him. Working through these terms, events, or methods aloud helps me to look at them from all angles and ensure I've learned it, leading to academic success.

My goal for life is to become an editor and publisher of books. Ever since I was a very young child I've been entranced with books and their power. I'm still awed by the fact that a book, mere paper with words, has the power to change a person's life. I love grammar and literature, and editing comes easy to me. As long as I can remember I've wanted to be the one who discovers these powerful stories and edits and publishes them into life. In the future, I think this vision of mine can positively impact the world. Books have a remarkable power and countless benefits. They entertain us, inform us, educate us, inspire us, etc. There are books for everyone of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and reading levels. Books have the power to change our minds. They can change our view of the world and even keep us going when we no longer want to. I want to be the one to bring these books to society and work closely with gifted authors. There are tons of powerful books out there, just waiting to be discovered, and I'm going to be the one to bring them to society. As a publisher, I'm not going to work at one of the giant, well known publishing houses with strict rules on what they will and won't publish. I want to work at a small publishing house, maybe even my own, and give those out of the ordinary, more unusual authors a chance. There are plenty of unconventional authors with incredible stories just waiting to be published, rejected by the major publishers because they never want to take a chance on an author and tarnish their pristine, world renowned reputation. I see my future self helping and enriching society with the publication of these books. I was never given the skill to operate and save human lives or be the genius who discovers the cure to cancer. That doesn't mean I don't want to do my part to make the world a better place. If I can't help in a grand way, I'm going to do all I can to help in a small way, and I do think books have the power to change the world. This has been my dream since I was a kid, and I'm almost there. There's nothing that can stand in my way now. In a few years time, I'll be bringing powerful, life changing books to society and doing my part, however how small, to make the world a better place.

I slip into quite the dilemma when asked what my favorite book is. There are so many wonderful books, all touching greatness for different reasons that it's nearly impossible to label just one as my favorite. I believe my favorite book would have to be ''11/22/63" by Stephen King, for many reasons. One reason I call this book my favorite is because of the moral messages it sends. Throughout the book, Stephen King writes of friendship and shows how to be a true friend. Additionally, King incorporates a tragic story of unrelenting love between two very different people, showing how powerful love can be with how he ends the story. King also weaves in the timeless problem of wrong versus right and good versus evil, making for a phenomenal read whose hidden meanings and themes will stick with you long after you finish the book. Another reason I utterly adore this novel is the theme King incorporates of how important even your small actions are. This book involves time travelling and uses this to show how even actions that seem small and insignificant can be life changing and define who you are as a person. With themes of friendship, love, death, and the impact of our actions comes a gripping, moving story told by one of the best storytellers of our time. Throughout all 900 pages, the reader is never once bored, and I found myself reading this book not once, but three times; two in English, and once in Spanish.

There are countless reasons to love dogs. They're the most loyal friends a person could have. They don't see your shortcomings, only all the reasons to love you. They never judge you and look at you as if you hung the moon. They don't know how to hate, only how to love unconditionally. Dogs, unlike humans, are incredibly adept at not worrying; they live in the moment. Over the course of my eighteen years of life, my family has had around 10 dogs. All taught me something, whether it was patience, persistence, forgiveness, etc. There was, however, one really special dog who I will never forget. Her name was Bella and she had been abused in her past. She was, as best we could gather, part Cattle dog and part Pomeranian. When Bella joined my family, I was in no way attached. She, however, was. She chose me as her person and followed me everywhere. She guarded me from the other dogs and even growled if they came near. She became ecstatic when I came home from school. Even if I ignored her, she'd continue running in circles around me and jumping up onto my legs. For a dog who had only ever been shown hate, Bella only knew how to love. Whenever I cried, Bella wouldn't try to lick my tears. She'd place a paw on my shoulder and lay her head on my chest, as if she was saying, "It's okay to cry, but just know I'm here for you." In a couple of months, Bella was my best friend in the world. She showed me how to love and spread kindness even if you were only given hate. She showed me how to live life without worry, relishing every moment. She showed me how to acknowledge the past without dwelling on it and to move forward no matter how rough life became. We don't know Bella's exact age since she was already full grown when we got her, but we estimate she was around seven when she died. Bella loved to play and could rip a toy apart in 60 seconds flat. One Monday, that's what she was doing, laying on my bed and destroying a new toy. Two days later, she died from cancer the vet had never detected and she had never shown symptoms of. Many dogs leave home when they know they're going to die, often going to an isolated place. Not Bella. She seemed weaker than usual that day and crawled into my lap around noon. Some ten minutes later I noticed she wasn't breathing. She was already gone. Bella loved with everything she had, supporting and loving me right up to the end. She could've died anywhere, but she did it with me. She stayed by my side until she left for Heaven. Bella has changed my life in countless ways. After her death, my main goal became to be the person she thought I was. I want to live and love like Bella, that little abused dog who lived life to the fullest and loved recklessly.

I'm motivated by my natural surroundings. From the mere weeds to the trees, I gather motivation from nature. Every plant is battling for the resources to succeed. Every plant is doing what it has to survive. Looking at nature's beauty, every intricate work of art, inspires me to keep going and be the best I can be. Every morning, the sun rises, and every night, the moon emerges. Nature's unbreakable rituals inspire me to make my own. I get up every morning, no matter how tired or discouraged I am, and give the day my best. Just like the sun, I continue to rise. I take my inspiration from the natural world because it shows a diverse ecosystem where every plant and animal has a role to play to make the world go round. Everything has a function. That is how I want to contribute to our society; I want to complete my function and do my part to make our society function and to make the world a better place.

As someone who currently struggles with mental health issues, I'm passionate that one practical solution for helping others is to merely talk about it. Society imposes this stigma that we have to always smile and be happy, never to reveal our true feelings or thoughts. When someone does, speak up, society labels them as attention seeking. Generally, suicide attempt survivors are said to be wanting attention and needy and that their life is fine.When someone successfully ends their life, society says things like, "Oh, I wish they'd spoken up." This skewed view of those who struggle with mental health needs to chance, and I'm certain that if it did, these afflicted individuals would have a much easier time coping. Getting rid of this stigma attached to mental health discussions is never going to solve the problem, but it would drastically improve it. People with mental health issues need to feel acknowledged, listened to, and supported, and in today's society, they rarely get that. They need to be heard and listened to, not shut down and labeled. If society was more open and supportive to those who struggle with mental health, I guarantee coping would become easier for those afflicted individuals. Society is not usually the cause of mental health problems, but it certainly plays a part in furthering and deepening them. Sometimes, the best solutions are not drawn out, large scale projects, but rather as simple as offering a listening ear with no judgement. Ending the stigma society has attached to mental health and inviting open discussion about it would help millions of people feel validated and acknowledged, taking one large step towards an understanding society.

I love my determination. I've frequently been knocked down in life, whether it be metaphorically or quite literally being thrown off my quarter horse. No matter how hard things get it, I always get back up. I'm completely determined to succeed in life and I refuse to let anything prevent me from doing that. I'm very stubborn and refuse to accept there's anything I can't overcome. I'm an avid horseback rider, and it's a dangerous sport that basically guarantees injury. Every time I'm thrown or bucked off, I dust myself off and climb back into the saddle. By doing that both literally and figuratively in life, I'm setting myself up for success, and I love that about me. I love my resilience and utter determination to persist through anything and never give up until I'm where I want to be. I love that I never give up, even when all of the odds are against me.

For me, practicing bravery isn't me being a hero and charging into flames or saving someone's life. For me, being brave is simply having the courage to be myself, unfiltered and honest. I used to be a very shy individual who was afraid to show her personality and often found herself conforming to the expectations of others. I was stifling my personal growth, bottling up my true self and becoming what society wanted me to be, not what I truly was. The bravest thing I've done was deciding to showcase my true self and ignoring the criticisms and thoughts of others. Being myself was liberating and allowed me to be bold in how I expressed myself. Society is often a oppressing force that promotes unrealistic expectations and behaviors. Blocking out the voice of society and being my authentic self is how I practice bravery. I practice bravery by unapologetically showcasing my true self, despite what society or anyone else had to say about it.

In my life, I use creativity to problem solve. I enjoy thinking outside the box and coming up with bizarre ideas of how to solve or work around a problem. Creativity allows me to feel more free and work around restrictions that halt others. Using only conventional, traditional thinking can only get you so far; you need creativity to go all the way. Sometimes the only way around a problem is a wild, crazy notion that only a creative thinker would have come up with. Additionally, I use creativity while working at a bookstore. I have to come up with creative ways to catch the public's eye, whether it be book displays, promotions, or events. Creativity makes our store more appealing, so we must be innovative and incorporate out of the box thinking into everything we do. Creativity can allow us to express what our store stands for and supports, impacting how the public perceives us. Creativity is important both in my professional and personal life and is something I can often use to my advantage and put me ahead in life.