Kindness has gotten me killed. But don't worry, I am back from the dead. Kindness has always been the most important thing in my life. However, being kind has lead me to unexpected consequences—ones that have shaped me in profound ways. I am an undergraduate black girl student and an artist, and my journey has been marked by a desire to pour kindness into the world, mainly through art therapy. Yet, this same kindness has also been the source of heartache, leading me to moments where I nearly gave up on life. But like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, I've been reborn, thanks to the kindness someone else showed me—my mother. From a young age, I've always believed I the power of kindness thanks to a show called My Little Pony. Whether it was through small gestures, like helping a friend with their homework or lending a listening ear to a stranger in need, I always tried to be there for others. My kindness often extended into my art, where I sought to create pieces that would inspire others to draw as well. Whether it would to let their anger out, or to spread hope and positivity. As I grew older, I became increasingly interested in art therapy, recognizing how aer could be a medium through which people could heal and find solace. My dream is to become an art therapist, to help others navigate their pain and emotions through creative expressions. However being kind isn't always easy. I've found that when you're too kind, people can take advantage of you or misunderstand your intentions. In high school, I was the friend who was always there—Whether it was helping with assignments, offering emotional support, or simply being a shoulder to cry on. Yet, despite my best intentions, I began to notice a pattern. Some friends would only reach out when they needed something, and when I needed support, they were no where to be found. This realization is heart breaking. I lost friends because I was too kind, too willing to give without expecting anything in return. I started to question whether kindness was truly worth it. This constant giving, without receiving much in return, took a toll on me. I felt drained, unappreciated, and increasingly isolated. It got to a point where I almost gave up—on my dreams, on my friendships, and on life itself. The world seemed like a harsh place where kindness was a weakness, something to be exploited rather than valued. I began to doubt whether I could continue being the person I had always been. The weight of these thoughts was almost too much to bear. But just I was at my lowest, my mother showed me the kind of kindness that saved my life. She saw the pain I was in and encouraged me to keep going. She reminded me that kindness isn't about what you get in return but about the impact you have on others. Her words were like a lifeline, pulling me out of the darkness and giving me the strength to keep moving forward. She showed me that even when kindness seem to get you "killed", there's always a way to come back from the dead, to rise above the hurt and keep being the person you were meant to be. My mother's kindness reignited the flame within me. I realized while kindness might sometimes lead to pain, it also has the power to heal, to transform, and to inspire. I decided not to let the negative experiences define me but to use them as fuel for my journey. I am more committed than ever to becoming an art therapist, to using my art to spread kindness a way that can help others heal. I've learned that kindness is strength, not a weakness, and that it has the power to change lives—including my own. In conclusion, kindness has shaped my life in ways I never expected. It has lead to loss and heartache but also to growth and deeper understanding of myself and the world around me. Despite the challenges, I choose to continue being kind because I believe in it's power to make the world a better place. And as long as there are people like my mother who continue to show kindness, I know I'll always find my way back, no matter how many times like tries to "kill" me.

One shift that stands out as crucial to changing our destiny in a world characterized by complexity is empathy. Empathy is crucial to what we need in this unforgivable world. If given the chance, I would work to establish more empathy in the people of the world. The importance of this cannot be overlooked, especially in today's world. We often witness cruel and unusual behaviors from other people fueled by misunderstandings and a lack of empathy. Whether it's between nations, conflicts within communities, or even disagreements among individuals, empathy has the potential bridge to connect everyone and pave the way for a better community. One area where empathy is needed most is education. By encouraging empathy in the curriculum from an early age, we can grow a generation of empathetic individuals who not only understand their own emotions but also recognize and respect the feelings of others. Through literature, history, and social studies, students can learn about different perspectives, cultures, and experiences, fostering empathy and promoting inclusivity. Moving forward, I envision a world where empathy is not only being taught but also practiced in everyday interactions. From classrooms to bedrooms, from neighborhoods to nations, empathy should be embraced as a guiding principle in decision-making and problem-solving. Instead of seeing differences as sources of conflict, we should rejoice in diversity and seek common ground through compassion. In addition, empathy can also drive positive change in addressing global issues. From climate change to poverty, from healthcare dilemmas to racial injustice, many of the world's pressing challenges come from the lack of empathy and understanding. By prioritizing empathy in our approach to these issues, we can work towards a solution that is sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate. Moreover, not only does empathy reach inside of humans, but it also reaches inside of all life forms, living beings. By recognizing the interrelation of all life forms, we can adapt to more sustainable practices and ensure a good future for future generations. Through empathy, we can cultivate a deep respect for nature and continue to strive to protect the planet we call home. Of course, making the change come to life would not be easy. It will require dedication, passion, perseverance, and commitment to put empathy in all aspects of society. By embracing empathy, we can build a world where kindness wins over cruelty, understanding triumphs over ignorance, and love achieves over hate. In conclusion, if allowed to make one change in the world, I would choose to promote empathy as the guiding light for all human interactions. By growing empathy in others, we can transcend divisions, foster understanding, and create a world where compassion is the currency of change. I believe embracing empathy is not only a choice but a responsibility—one that has the power to make our world a better place.

My life and my body is a canvas, an art piece I am in the process of creating. I paint and sketch out the lines on my arms and color it to my desired taste. My mind is my soul, I try my hardest to take care of it. I take my paint brush that is filled with red and I dip it into my mind to wash the color off and start anew. As I paint out my life, I educate myself and the people who I am surrounded by about the importance of acceptance. I sketch out for different levels of knowledge around me and I present my canvas to those who are willing to listen. Throughout my time in the K-12 system, I will take my brush and show everyone my drawings and lessons of mental health with melting colors and exaggerated expressions. I’ll look around asking everyone what their idea of mental health is and take their knowledge to a higher stand. I’ll present my next canvas to the school board and make a change, asking them to include mental health as a curriculum as it is important to normalize and learn about other people’s canvases and their mind on what they go through. Some people give up on their canvas, and I am willing to do anything to stop that and show their beautiful art to the world. My mind is my soul, and each time I dip a color into it I learn something new. I take care of them, expecting to live long enough to help people. One day, I created the same painting over and over. That painting became an obsession. I obsessed over the future, I needed to figure out how I am supposed to live. The future stressed me out, and instead of the beautiful paintings I normally create, I painted my canvas black with white scribbles and almost snapped my canvas in half. Then, my family and friends had reminded me of how well I painted, how beautiful my paintings are, and how I should be proud of it. They saved my life. I now cherish my paintings, I steer away from the void I once created and I continue to paint colors over my canvas. I soon learned what I wanted to do, and that is to become an Art Therapist. I want others to paint their canvas as beautifully as they are, and cope with the void they have inside them and guide them to their light. I don’t wish others to create black paintings with white scribbles, I don’t wish others to go mad. I do wish, however, for others to find their path and walk through it with the support they need. I wish to be the support they need. I will teach those how to live with the void and I will teach them how they can let go. I will teach people how to cope and I will teach them how to accept and validate themselves and live with their mind, their soul, their canvas. All with the power of art. I reminded myself that I have support. I want to remind others that they have support, and that they should accept who they are and what they’re dealing with, and learn to live with it. I don’t want them to break their canvas as an attempt to create something new, I want them to continue painting over it and live a content life.

My life and my body is a canvas, an art piece I am in the process of creating. I paint and sketch out the lines on my arms and color it to my desired taste. My mind is my soul, I try my hardest to take care of it. I take my paint brush that is filled with red and I dip it into my mind to wash the color off and start anew. As I paint out my life, I educate myself and the people who I am surrounded by about the importance of acceptance. I sketch out for different levels of knowledge around me and I present my canvas to those who are willing to listen. Throughout my time in the K-12 system, I will take my brush and show everyone my drawings and lessons of mental health with melting colors and exaggerated expressions. I’ll look around asking everyone what their idea of mental health is and take their knowledge to a higher stand. I’ll present my next canvas to the school board and make a change, asking them to include mental health as a curriculum as it is important to normalize and learn about other people’s canvases and their mind on what they go through. Some people give up on their canvas, and I am willing to do anything to stop that and show their beautiful art to the world. My mind is my soul, and each time I dip a color into it I learn something new. I take care of them, expecting to live long enough to help people. One day, I created the same painting over and over. That painting became an obsession. I obsessed over the future, I needed to figure out how I am supposed to live. The future stressed me out, and instead of the beautiful paintings I normally create, I painted my canvas black with white scribbles and almost snapped my canvas in half. Then, my family and friends had reminded me of how well I painted, how beautiful my paintings are, and how I should be proud of it. They saved my life. I now cherish my paintings, I steer away from the void I once created and I continue to paint colors over my canvas. I soon learned what I wanted to do, and that is to become an Art Therapist. I want others to paint their canvas as beautifully as they are, and cope with the void they have inside them and guide them to their light. I don’t wish others to create black paintings with white scribbles, I don’t wish others to go mad. I do wish, however, for others to find their path and walk through it with the support they need. I wish to be the support they need. I will teach those how to live with the void and I will teach them how they can let go. I will teach people how to cope and I will teach them how to accept and validate themselves and live with their mind, their soul, their canvas. All with the power of art. I reminded myself that I have support. I want to remind others that they have support, and that they should accept who they are and what they’re dealing with, and learn to live with it. I don’t want them to break their canvas as an attempt to create something new, I want them to continue painting over it and live a content life.

Beliefs. A common expression used by people all throughout the world, particularly by children. Everyone, whether conscious of it or not, has a belief at some point in their lives. You are not required to share everyone else's faith in Santa Claus. Some people do not practice any religion, whereas you do. You have your beliefs, and I have mine. Photography, I believe, is an art form. The majority of individuals believe that photography is unimportant in life, that it's not something we see every day. Some people believe that photography is simply taking images with expensive cameras and calling it a day. I can guarantee you that photographing something is only one part of photography. That is an example of art. I've traveled to some wonderful places thanks to my photography, and I'm about to go even further. It has only ever taken me as far as Peoria, Illinois. I took my first original work of art from there. It was one of the best experiences of my life when I participated in a competition called Skill USA in Peoria. I was exploring the area looking for stuff to photograph. Before this girl approached me and asked me to snap her picture, I had no luck. Naturally, as excited as I was, I replied in the affirmative and began taking pictures. We had some beautiful discussions regarding the competition and the category in which we are competing, but one discussion about whether or not photography is art really stood out to me. Initially, I didn't consider photography to be "art," so I gave up hope that I could make this a job. However, I was blown away by the way she phrased her points. "While photography is less common to use around the world, it is still important in our daily lives. If we're being technical, we use photography everyday mainly to capture memories. It is like our body. Without it, there would be no signs of our existence." she had stated. I captured her in my final photograph, which I will always treasure. I now understand that it has a well-written meaning behind it. I ultimately used that image and submitted it for the contest. Even though I finished in 11th place—near the bottom—I don't care. I wasn't last, but thanks to that one work of art, I wasn't. I have so many memories associated with that picture, and it has a particular place in my heart. After college, I'm not sure where I'll wind up, but I'm certain it will involve photography in some way. Making a decision about where to travel is difficult enough. I would probably end up working as a wedding photographer, if I were to hazard a guess. Those always have particular memories, and I want to keep creating them both for myself and for other people. But I must give credit to that one girl who inspired me to believe that the world needs photography desperately and that I could do something to honor it.

In life, those closest to us frequently mold and inspire us. My mother has had the greatest influence on me. Her encouragement and support have helped me discover my passion for graphic design and photography. More than everything, I yearned to be like my mother while still being more like myself: A photographer who is also a graphic designer. Even though it looks like a difficult decision, I am confident that I will choose both career choices. As graduation draws near, I'm struggling to decide between two exciting job possibilities while also thinking how I might use my artistic talents to be creative. In my life, my mother has served as a foundation of stability and a continual source of inspiration. She saw in me a creative and artistic talent at a young age, always encouraging me to experiment with many kinds of expression. She saw potential in me when I didn't, and because of her encouragement, I am more determined than ever to pursue a career in the arts. Her unending encouragement has given me the self-assurance to completely pursue my passion for graphic design and photography. She was extremely supportive of me at difficult times. I'm grateful that she gave me access to her artistic talent. As I get closer to graduating and get ready to start my career, I want to use my creative abilities to inspire innovation. In the world of photography, I try to take pictures of things that make people feel things and tell tales. I want to tell visual stories that alter perceptions and spark debates, whether through documentary, portrait, or experimental photography. My aim in graphic design is to combine creativity and usability to create visually attractive designs that clearly convey messages and address practical issues. Through branding or advertising, graphic design presents me with the chance to improve user experiences and make an impression on the audience. While my aim in photography is to do the same thing but altering images to send out a message to the world. My artistic talent is in fusing photography and graphic design together in a way that blurs the boundaries between the two disciplines. I can produce distinctive and appealing visual experiences by incorporating photography into my graphic design work and vice versa. By using a hybrid style, I am able to add depth and authenticity to my work, setting it apart from other types of photography or graphic design. Although the combination of photography and graphic design intrigues me, it is clear that choosing between the two professions is difficult. Each has its appeal and both provide unique channels for expression. On the one hand, photography gives me the chance to travel the globe, capture fleeting moments, and share my vision with the world through the lens. On the other side, by employing digital platforms to create powerful designs, graphic design enables me to interact with and influence a wider audience. My mother will continue to impact me when I get ready to graduate and start working. Whether I choose to pursue a career in graphic design, photography, or both, I am certain that my commitment to and love of the arts will inspire me to innovate. I aspire to make a lasting impression on the artistic landscape and significantly impact the lives of people with her help and the combination of photography and graphic design.