The Factors That Have Shaped Me Essay

There are many contributing factors that has shaped me into the person I am today. There

is not one person in this world that is exactly the same. Everyone is raised differently, they come

from different backgrounds, morals, religious beliefs, customs, etc. It is important to be aware of

who you are and what you believe in for a number of reasons. For one, you understand yourself

better. Two, you get a better understanding of how your parents raised you. Three, directed more

to the helping profession, you are less likely to impose your beliefs onto others. With this being

said, I know exactly where I come from and who has help me get here.

My family has been very helpful during this journey called life. My parents support me

to

be the best I can be. Ever since I was little they have both been very proactive in my life, whether

it was as simple as taking me to a friend’s house or on a family vacation to Florida over the

summer. However, with age, my parents and I are not as close as what we use to be. I am no

longer physically there little girl and they have given me space to be my own person, which I

think is necessary; although it may be hard for a momma bear. As of now my parents are

generously putting me through college so I can one day be the successful individual they have

dreamed of. Yet, they couldn’t let me have all of the spot light. I have a brother that is a few

years older than me that is well off owning a small construction business. My brother and I were

closer when we were younger, but I know he is only a phone call way. As a family we value the

time that we get together. We like to stay close and connected. We do this by getting together for

holidays ever year at my grandpa’s house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also show

support to family members by going to events that may be important to them, such as: swim

meets, wedding showers, birthday dinners, things of that nature.

As a student, I have always enjoyed learning and looked forward to going to school. That

hasn’t changed much, I still do today. When I was younger my mom never had the problem of

having to drag me out of the car to go into the building. I was that little girl that hopped right out

and never looked back, while my mom was shedding those dreadful “my baby’s growing up

tears”. The effort and determination it took to become a good student has paid off. It has helped

me to be a part of the BOSS club and World Language club in high school. As well as playing

basketball, which has contributed majorly to the person I am today (more on that later). Being

such a good student also allowed me to get accepted to Lindsey Wilson College.

When I was younger, I got along good with the other children, beside when they wanted

to share my snack at snack time. I also got along good with my other peers during high school

and up until this day, a junior in college. I have always liked to talk and I feel comfortable

talking to anyone. Which is great, in spite of the profession I am seeking. No, I don’t have as

many friends as what I did back then but that is what happens when you get older and wiser. I

began to see that quality is greater than quantity. My dad is someone I have always looked up

too. He is someone who I wouldn’t mind being like when I grow old. He is a successful and

caring individual who would go out of his way to help someone, and that is the person I strive to

be. He also puts his children first and helps us to the best of his ability, I hope one day I can be

successful enough to do this with my children.

Overall, my childhood experiences were pretty ordinary. In spite of my parents’ divorce

and my grandmothers death. I was the age of elven or twelve so it was harder for me then rather

than what it is now. I have now came to the realization that it was probably for the best for my

brother and I. Many people have a preconceived notion of split families. I, along with many

others, are proof that they are no different than your traditional American family. Just because

your parents may have gotten a divorce doesn’t mean that you can’t still be a part of each other’s

lives, it just might be a little harder. Or at least that’s how it was in my circumstance. My

grandmother death is something I don’t remember significantly but has still made an impact on

my life by the memories I made with her. Tearing my ACL is what has made the biggest

influence on my life. I have played basketball since I was old enough to dribble a ball. I started

varsity ever since my seventh grade year. The start of my junior year is when I tore my ACL. I

didn’t get to play the sport I passionately loved my junior or senior year. I began to lose friends

because I didn’t feel confident enough to come back and play after my surgery. I decided that I

had two options: to mope around and feel sorry for myself or look at the bigger picture to life

aside for basketball. After my accident I had a better outlook towards life and began to see the

things that really mattered. I think people started to see how strong of a person I had to be to

realize that at my age.

Today, I still consider myself as a strong person. I also think I am caring and outgoing

individual. Others look at me the same way, anytime my friends are going through something I

am the first person they come too. I’m glad because that is the person I want to be. I want people

to see me as an approachable person. Previously I had the comment that as I have grew older I

learned that quality is greater than quantity. I prefer having a smaller group of friends that stay in

touch verses several friends that cause unnecessary drama. When choosing my friends I like

people that have the same interest as I do. It creates common ground. It’s natural for people to

seek others that are like them. Then again, it’s also to branch out and befriend people that are

totally different from you, and I have a couple of these as well. Since I have a select few friends

that are rather close to me I consider them to be something I value. I also value my family, my

boyfriend, my health, and my education.

As I mentioned above I currently have a boyfriend, he has been my boyfriend for almost

three years now. I am most definitely interested in men, one in particular. However I do not

criticize others who may have a different sexuality. I have dated a few different men up until this

point in my life. They have all been fairly long term relationships that I have significantly

learned from. These past relationships have led me to the relationship that I am in now and that I

plan to be in for the rest of my life.

My boyfriend is not only my boyfriend but he is my best

friend. He treats and respects me how I should be. He is also my number one fan and supports

me in my career aspirations in becoming a licensed therapist.

Communication is a big part in today’s day and age. It is also important in the field that I

am going into. This is why I think it is important to be aware of communication challenges. One

communication challenge I have experienced frequently is miscommunication.

Miscommunication causes a load of frustration. A lot of times when discussing something

important with someone else or a group of people they may verbally act like they are being

attentive such as saying: “I understand,” or “right,” etc., but in there head there wondering what

there are going to make for dinner or something else irrelevant. I have been in several groups

before where this has happened and that person doesn’t end up doing what they may have said

they were going to do. It’s easier to tell nonverbally when I person isn’t listening. You can find

those people staring out in space or holding a conversation with another person that isn’t

listening. I find that when people start to “doze off” so to speak, they are normally farther

away

in proximity from the speaker. When these problems occur, assertiveness, listening, and body

language are all necessary in order to convey a message clearly.

Since this paper is for a Multicultural and Ethics class it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t talk

about my experiences with different cultural identities. When I am curious about something, I

usually find myself asking questions about it. When I approach people who are from a different

culture and find myself curious about something related to them, it is no different, I polity ask

them the question I have. Isn’t that how we figure out most knowledge in the world? By asking

about it. Some people may find this rude but me being the very open an optimistic person I am I

like to get the information straight from the source, it doesn’t bother me to ask. I also show my

curiosity by trying things from different cultures such as: food, music, and activities. I show my

culture identity by eating the foods I do, dressing the way I do, and how I communicate with

others. Some individuals find it hard to help and support others that they don’t agree with. This is

something I disagree with. People don’t have to agree with someone in order to support them.

Instead, show them you are there to talk too, don’t say judgmental things, and keep your beliefs

to yourself. Just by simply caring on a conversation with someone doesn’t mean you are

supporting there beliefs.

I’ve had a few interactions with people who are from different cultures, and each

interaction I found remarkably interesting. Personally, I think learning about their

communication style, beliefs, and practices are the most fascinating. It’s crazy to think that

people half way across the world do things totally different than what we do, our normal may be

different from what their normal is. While growing up only learning about one culture, it is neat

to experiences others by merely talking to them.

Overall, these are some of the influential effects that have made me into the person I am

today. These people and events have helped me understand and find my place in the world. Yet,

my family has continued to show me love and support, and will for the rest of their lives. If I can

do half as good as my parents did on introducing me to the world, I’d be pleased. I don’t regret