College Essay
Obstacle I over came
My fathers death Intro- Quote Bruce "Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one" lead into talking about my father and I's lives together leading up to his death.
Growing up in what most would consider a small family, I became very close to those in my intermediate and extended family. As an eighth year old who just had just lost his father to a immensely unexpected heart attack at the age of 36, I contemplated every aspect of my life. Since then I had become very introspective.I grew to understand the obstacles that are thrown into our lives are not supposed to distract us from our path but instead are put there help us grow stronger in order to succeed in walking our path. 1st paragraph-his death made me more self reliant do to having one less parent.
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Being an only child my family always made sure I had plenty of things to do to keep me occupied. I learned to entertain myself whether it be with books, movies, video games, outdoor activities, or homework. I understood that it was up to me to get things done and that even though help was available from my family I always felt it was necessary to complete tasks on my own. I also grew the strong urge to help others. Being able to help yourself makes you want to help those who can't. This was the first lesson my father's death taught me, self reliance and charity. This has helped me in my studies by improving my study habits, note taking, and group
Growing up, life wasn't easy. As a result of these adversities, I've been able to not only see, but personally experience, having a constant battle in my life. Throughout this journey of life, I’ve had the opportunity to meet people and learn about different backgrounds and hardships many others suffer from. These experiences,
Growing up on the south side of Chicago in the roughest neighborhood in the city I learned a lot from others and just observing my surroundings. At times, I would always think to myself my situation could always be worse than it was, and that there is always someone who is doing worst off than me. But my situation turned from being in a bad position to being in a position where my mother would come to lose her mother and our home that we had been living in, all in the same year. After losing her mother and bother my mom lost herself in her emotions and shut down on everyone and with that came the loss of a home for me and my siblings and her job. Shortly after my mom began to go back to church and so did we. It was the first time in a log time that we had attended church and it played a big part in a learning experience for me and my siblings. Through the days that came to pass going to church sparked a desire of wanting to help others who had or are struggling to get by. My mentor, Pastor, and teacher deserves appreciation for helping my mother through a hard time and keeping me and my siblings active in a positive manor.
Although some individuals may believe that it was a miracle that my father survived cancer, it was much more than that. The optimism of my family, friends, and loved ones enabled my dad to relieve his stress and focus on his cancer treatment. This situation has changed my mindset in life and it has provoked me to stay hopeful even when the odds are not in my favor. I’ve began to use positive thinking to help guide myself to my ambitions. This made my transition into adulthood much easier because I was prepared to deal with difficult situations. I began to cherish my loved ones even more than before. I realized all the luxuries that I had received and took for granted. I learned that the most important people in life is your family and without them, it’s near impossible to be successful. If my father had lost his fight, I would have had to become more independent as I would become the man of the house. Going into adulthood, I’ve learned that I should take situations into my owns hands rathering that relying on others. Some people that may be there for you today, may not be there
Throughout my life, I have found myself always striving to help others. This has been bestowed upon me since I was a young child. My brother, Justin was born with health problems. He had to be fed through his stomach from birth to he was five years of age. Because of Justin’s health conditions he was a lot smaller than kids his age. He was held back in school for a year and he was still eight inches shorter than the other kids in his class. With all of his ailments and his stature I felt that it was up to me, his big brother, to be there for him and defend him from anyone picking or ridiculing him. I later helped my mother teach second grade kids in Sunday school. This opened my eyes to a lot of learning diversities
True crime podcasts have evolved into one of the most popular genres of podcasts, ranking second only to comedy podcasts. From fearing crime to unwinding while listening to a podcast about a serial killer, true crime podcasts have ultimately informed, influenced, and entertained the general public. Serial, the podcast by Sarah Koenig that started it all, takes place in 1999, Woodlawn High School, in Baltimore County, Maryland. The case itself is about the death of Hae Min Lee, a high school senior, and the 17-year-old boy, Adnan Syed, who was allegedly responsible for the gruesome crime of strangulation. Hae Min Lee disappeared on January 13th, 1999 and was found dead on February 9th in Leakin Park by Mr. S, whose identity is kept confidential.
There’s an event in everyone's life that changes you, whether it be a simple hello or a death in the family. Tragically, mine begins with my mother marrying her second husband. The lessons I learned from this man shaped me into the person I am today. I came from a bad situation and he took my family in and and showed me that not every man is the same. Perseverance, the ability to forgive, and willingness to change your life for the better are just some of the things he taught me. If it weren’t for the little talks we had I wouldn’t be hopeful that I am, that I will turn my life around.
The incident in which death occurs can play a crucial part in how the individual overcomes it. In some cases death can leave an individual traumatized and basically mentally paralyzed for a time being after the incident. The way of overcoming death in these individuals would be to accept it. Accepting death is a positive way of coping. Accepting death consist of understanding that death is a part of life, treasuring the moments and growing from the impact that individual had. However, this may become difficult based on how the incident occurs. The story, “My Mother’s Sin” is a prime example of overcoming death. In this story death plays a critical component. However, it is not death who defines a person; it is how the person fights back after death. The mother, Despinio, in this story had a tough time overcoming death. Despinio never accepted fault in her actions. She had smothered her baby
I had to learn to adjust life without my sibling because my mom did not have enough money for them to be with us and adapt to a new culture. During this my mother and I ended up homeless during the winter months, this was the most brutal and embarrassing time of our life. In my teenage life I have overcome many obstacles; Even though we were living in poverty my mother had high expectation for her children and graduating from high school was just the beginning unfortunately I stumble again, I failed my Math Regent and did not graduate but I was determined not to be discouraged .
From the death of my father, the influences of my loving grandparents, to the births of my own children. The hardships that I have been through and the love from people all around me have shaped me into who I am today.
middle of paper ... ... preciating the lessons my family taught me throughout the years. Although at that time I didn’t know better, now I realize that I am the person I am today because of my family. My family supported my individuality without sacrificing their role in shaping my identity. For example, I was embarrassed to speak Spanish, especially around my American friends.
One year we were given the opportunity to walk through a path in the woods alone at night: a pitch-black night. Even without my ability to see, God guided me through this path with ease. As I walked through Gods natural garden, rather than be fearful that I would get lost or run into danger, I found myself wanting to find and comfort others I knew were feeling this fear. Throughout my journey of life, I have and will continue to make a point to try and understand what others are going through and to help them through their struggles. As the last few friends made their way to the end of the path, we realized not everyone made it to the end of the path.
My father passed away in 1991, two weeks before Christmas. I was 25 at the time but until then I had not grown up. I was still an ignorant youth that only cared about finding the next party. My role model was now gone, forcing me to reevaluate the direction my life was heading. I needed to reexamine some of the lessons he taught me through the years.
During these years my life was an old television with only three channels: home, school and church; each one being similar to the other with little distinction. Even though my life seemed tedious at times, I learned how to focus, pray and never to give up. In hindsight, I believe my parents raise me in this manner out of fear. I did not grow up in the best of neighborhoods, and my older brother was incarcerated while I was growing up, so I can understand their apprehension. Nevertheless, I had a strong moral foundation to enter the unknown know as college.
I remember it as it were yesterday, the morning of October 31 1986, I heard my dad’s voice early in the morning; “Mike, get up! Your grandpa died!”
During my life, I have learned many things that I’m either expected to do or know. My family and friends have impacted my life in multiple ways that have shaped me as a person over time. These values that my family has taught me has made me the person I am today and most likely the person I will be for the rest of my life.