Dealing​‍​‌‍​‍‌ with the negativity at home literally upended my view of life and showed me that it is possible to be strong. Truthfully, my stepfather had many comments that would make me feel worthless and unable to do anything. Initially, I tried to block out all of the negative things that he had said to protect myself. Finally, however, I am sorry to say that I believed a few of his negative comments about me. It was like whatever I did, it was never to his satisfaction. However, one day, a little part of me, without letting anyone else know, stopped this way of living. I just refused to let his voice be the one that decided my whole life. I began to take note of the rare occasions when I was actually successful. Just like when I obtained a good grade, or a teacher acknowledged my work in a positive way, or a friend appreciated me for lending help. These events made me doubt his negative words about me. Finally, it became a choice for me to develop myself instead of spending all my efforts on proving wrong what he said. I did well in school not to show anyone how right I was, but due to the sense of effectiveness I got from it. At first, each time that voice of negativity of his entered my head, I unknowingly lent some credibility to his words. Indeed, it was hard Sometimes, the inner fight would become so intense that it seemed that I would be silenced. I even thought to myself that if I use him as my excuse for not doing something, then ultimately, I am the one who is holding myself back. Reflecting on my experiences now, there is one realization I have gained and that is my story has made me an individual with the ability to empathize with other people. As such, whenever my friends open up to me about their own insecurities, I can understand them completely. I have been in their situation so, I do my best to support them as I wish somebody had been there for me. I keep telling them that just because a person says something about you doesn’t mean that it’s a fact. You are the one who builds your character; not the people who try to bring you down. Making the choice to consider myself worthy of being treated better than he did is one of the strongest decisions I have made in my life.