The Influence of My Life - Personal Statement Example

Tiffanie Blackshire The Influence of My Life Fortunately, there have been several people who have crossed my path and have left, an enduring and deep impression on my life. Those people include my mother, grandmother, Mrs. Eckert from my elementary school, my physician Dr. Cain and finally my favorite person from history, Jackie Kennedy Onassis. These people, each in their own way, taught me to seek the positive in life and to learn from every experience, large or small. They each heavily influenced my life and cultivated my strong self-motivation and perseverance, which are considered by most people who know me to be my strongest qualities. The person who has had the greatest influence on my life is my Mother. She has been a constant motivating force, always challenging me in a loving way to reach higher, and to love and honor myself. She has taught me the importance of education and the joy that cultivating a passion for reading can bring to my life. My mother has frequently stressed over the years the importance of setting personal goals for myself. My parents divorced when I was a toddler, leaving her a single parent. I watched as she struggled to care for me and learned from her unwavering dedication to raising me well. As tired as she was from her long or stressful days, she never once neglected to check my homework, nor did she miss an opportunity to help me learn a lesson. My two favorite memories from childhood are of dinnertime and bedtime. During dinnertime we would rehash our day, and my mother would offer me praise and encouragement for my accomplishments, or would challenge me and offer direction when I had come up short in some way. At bedtime we would select a book to read and we would lose ourselves together in its pages. My grandmother has also motivated me throughout my life. She, more than anyone else, has been the source of my strength. My grandma took my love of history and used it as a tool to mold, teach and direct me through life, which helped me become the person I am today. My grandmother and I were both raised as the "only child" in our families; and this has facilitated a special understanding between us. She grew up during a time when women where not afforded the opportunity to accomplish their goals. By sharing stories about the peaks and valley of her life, she taught me about the difficulties that have been faced by women as a whole, many of which continue to apply today. She taught me the importance of the power of choice in my life. We have had many conversations on the repercussions of good and bad choices. While many teens may begin to emotionally drift from their parents, this has not happened to me because my grandmother influenced the closeness of my relationship with my mother. They were not very close when my mother was being raised, and I helped to bridge that gap. Their shared love, admiration and dedication toward me served as a bond between two of the most important people in my life. My mother and grandmother are two of the strongest and most dedicated teachers who could have ever touched my life. {Page one of three} Tiffanie Blackshire When I was in the third grade I met Mrs. Eckert, a kindergarten and latchkey instructor at my elementary school. She and her family quickly became a major part of my life. The Eckerts longed for a grandchild and although I already had a grandmother I welcomed the prospect of love and affection from another set of "grandparents." I became a part of her family, exposing me to some invaluable life experiences. Mrs. Eckert is a mother of six and, not unlike my grandmother, she grew up during a time when women were not afforded equal opportunities. I observed her love of, and dedication toward her family, as well as her perseverance in accomplishing her personal goals in the face of adversity. Many of my summer vacations were spent in her care; and I had the privilege of watching her achieve her goal of earning a master's degree in education. The greatest gift she has given me was the experience of observing her perseverance in achieving her goal. Her example resonates with me to this day as I pursue a higher education. I will always remember my mother telling me to take baby steps and to take time to savor and appreciate the small things in life. I heard this so often it began to play in my head like an old song. Modern society seems to encourage teens to do what feels good in the moment; and so I began to wonder if my mother's words were little more than parental platitudes. Then I met my new primary care physician, Dr. Cain. My first visit with him proved to be a remarkable event. He seemed to have read my thoughts when he asked my mother to leave the room and then he asked me if I wanted to discuss the effects of peer pressure in my life. He recounted the story of how he was ostracized and ridiculed for being different as a teen in junior high and high school. I quickly felt a connection and became comfortable speaking with him candidly. He explained to me that he could have neglected the things that were important to him in order to be popular, but doing so would have only cheated him out of a achieving greater things in his life. Dr. Cain's lesson to me was simple: I could choose to have fun and live carefree as a teen, or I could remain focused on building a foundation for a greater life and better future. He helped me to realize what my Mother had been trying to convey to me for years. At that moment it became clear to me what was really important in my life; and I decided that no matter what superficial friendships beckoned or popularity contest I lost, I would not fall victim to peer pressure at the expense of my future. I became determined to remain focused on the things that are important to me. Finally, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, despite adversity and tragedy, remained a classic lady and one of the strongest people in history. As such, she has been a major influence in my life. She was born during a time when etiquette, poise and manners were expected of a lady. Such qualities are near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately modern society's portrayal of females seems to neglect the importance of true class, grace and style. I hope to one day see the poise and demeanor shown by Jackie Kennedy Onassis restored as a standard for a woman to have class in society. Such hope influences my passion. Whenever I mentor to youth groups I try to convey the importance of self-respect. {Page two of three} Tiffanie Blackshire Each of the individuals discussed in this essay has had an incalculable impact on the person I am today. Lessons learned early in my childhood helped me to avoid succumbing to peer pressure. My high school years were difficult because most of my peers chose to adhere to the false sense of self-value that is portrayed in today's media. I am quite proud that I was able to retain my individuality and ability to think and act critically regardless of the adverse reaction from my peers. {Page three of three} Read More