Ever since I was little my parents have always told me to think about others. I grew up as the youngest child in a large blended household. Like many mixed families, mine is filled with divergent personalities. To combat this my parents continuously reinforced having empathy for each other. As a kid, I did not truly understand what they were teaching us; I just did as I was told. Now here I am, only a few months away from being an adult with an embarrassing amount of peach fuzz to show for it, and I can see the full value of what my parents were teaching me. Showing empathy for other people's struggles is the first step towards humanity. My parents teaching has helped me understand and handle issues at home, with my peers, and in the world. …show more content…
After the last concussion he came to me, clearly emotional; he told me that the doctor said if he kept playing he was likely to suffer major brain damage or paralysis. Distraught, I looked at him, amazed at how quickly everything had spiraled out of control. Not long before he was a freshman who had made the varsity team, and now one of the most important things in his life had been taken away. I stood there just putting it all in perspective, imagining everything he was going through. This could have been me. Our discussion brought me back to the days when I was a kid, I could almost hear my parents in the background telling me to listen, telling me to open up my little ears and think. This was a heartbreaking moment, but an impactful one, because it was the first time my parents teachings came together. It took a long time, but I feel like I have finally begun to understand the importance of empathy. I hate seeing my friends or family in troubled times, but I appreciate every occasion they feel comfortable enough to share their struggles with me. It is a humbling experience which has helped me connect with people on a deeper level, and in turn built some incredible friendships that I hope will last a