Reflection Paper

Throughout the course of this semester, I have continuously grown as a writer. Prior to taking this course, I had little experience or knowledge when it came to writing. I used to struggle with forming my thoughts into writing, let alone a paper. I was never confident with what I wrote. My writing had no greater purpose other than the assignment. My writing process included: writing my paper, proofreading it, and turning it in. Once the paper left my hands, it also left my mind. Throughout this course we worked with others, visited the writing lab, wrote critiques, and we were able to revise our papers. I believe that all of this is has caused me to grow greatly as a writer.

There are multiple reasons I am where I am today and why I’m going where I’m going. I have struggled in school ever since I can remember but without the people that I have had in my life I wouldn’t where I am today. But as I will talk about the teacher have played a huge role in the reason I am able to be where I am today.

Carrie Fisher once proclaimed, “Stay afraid but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually, the confidence will follow.” I had to learn the hard way that confidence does not show up ready for you to utilize, just as the quote says. You have to put yourself out there and the confidence will develop. In the seventh grade, I joined the beginner band and chose to play the flute. Beginning band was far more terrifying than my twelve-year-old self imagined it to be. I learned that each student would have to perform in front of the class for a weekly grade. Even worse, the one other flute player next to me had already been playing for a year and I constantly compared myself to her. Later in that semester, this girl and I were talking and she said to me, “When we first started, I thought you were going to be the worst player in the band!” I was completely baffled that this girl, who had only been playing for a few more months than I had, would have the audacity to say that to my face. I did not understand that, at the time, it was okay for me to not play as well as she could. I had only been playing for a few weeks at most after all. Twelve year old me took it to heart and I felt like I was two inches tall. Sadly, that was not the last negative interaction I had with that girl. She stayed with me all throughout middle school, where she made fun of me for making last chair in eighth grade, and overall, put my

Sometimes my christianity seems inevitable. I grew up with two parents and an older brother who had all accepted Jesus into their hearts. I don’t even remember the day I first accepted Jesus into my heart. I was only three years old and adults in my church were encouraging me to make the most important decision of my life. Over the years I’ve struggled with my unbelief and the temptations of societal pressures. Yet throughout the turbulent times, I’ve never doubted God’s existence.

Louis, MO, there wasn’t anything special about my life. My parents were hurt by the Catholic Church before I was born, so we didn’t really step foot in church on Sunday mornings growing u. I don’t remember when I consciously began searching for fulfillment in the possessions and people around me, but I can remember back to middle school, always trying to fulfill some empty void in my heart. With disappointment around every corner, I hit rock bottom during my sophomore year of high school. That’s when the good news of Jesus came to my rescue. I heard the gospel for the first time and it was the exact fulfillment that I was searching for, and grace was given to me. Romans 10:17 says, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word about Christ.” I’m so thankful that God would allow me to hear through the word about Christ, and that others would be bold enough to share it. Ever since that day, God has placed a desire in me to proclaim the gospel and see lives

I was born and raised in a Christian household simultaneously accepting Jesus Christ into my heart at the age of six. This past year I encountered a sincere relationship with God. I knew from a very young age that God is the One who created the heavens and the earth, that He is the author of life and the One who writes my story. Through the course of my life I’ve gone through unimaginable events nevertheless God has kept his promise for my life as stated in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”. This verse has become self-evident in my personal relationship with God serving as a reminder of whose I am, who I am living for and what my purpose on this earth is.

When I signed up for this class, I never thought it would change anything about myself. This class has allowed me to think differently, and view people in a new way. It has provided me with tools for the future in parenting, career, and relationship. I learn most of these tools in chapters five, six, seven, eight, ten, eleven, and twelve. In these chapters I learned how learning, memory, thinking, personality, psychological disorders, and many other psychological topics can shape how someone perceives others, and life.

Over the summer I started to take as many shifts as I could at work. I've been working as a bagger on the base commissary since last October. Although we work only for tips, we can easily make good tax-free money. After I got my license I started driving myself to work and back home.

In today’s society, the main idea that is presented by many people is that there is nothing that can be labeled as an absolute truth. This means that everything that we believe today is based solely on one’s opinion of a certain matter. This philosophy was first brought to my attention during my junior year of high school. I was taking an AP language class, and my professor insisted on starting these arguments about absolute truths and opinions. As one of the only Christians in the class, these topics angered me. The professor was practically attacking the very beliefs that I stand firm on, and I was not okay with it. There would be times where I would raise my hand and present my argument against his belief, but that would always end in a class argument debating one side or the other. Once the class was over, I always found myself revisiting my Word. I could always find my comfort in the Word of God. As Christians, we have to understand the importance of the Canon, or truths given to us by God.

Whenever I hear the word Transition I immediately get this feeling of butterflies in my stomach. Most of the time transitioning means that something is about to change and change can sometimes be a scary thing. College is something I always knew I wanted to do when the time came, but it was also something I always pushed away in my mind because it was not in my comfort zone. Since neither of my parents went to college I never really heard about the experiences of college but if I would have based my opinion on college from my parents I probably would not be here at ECU. Coming to college has been a change but it is something that I knew I needed to do to achieve my dreams and goals for my future. My parents are my biggest supporters and they have always told me to go college and get an education. I feel that life is one enormous risk and sometimes those risks will change your life forever.

Arati, even though you missed one day, you caught right back up with us and was able to understand most of the material all by yourself. I was impressed when you told me that you did one of the modules on game plan at home. You have shown dedication and an honest will to learn. You showed creativity when you decided to incorporate your love for music in your final project. I am glad that you learned a lot this week and remember to continue with your education in technology.

The lessons we take form obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you and what did you learn from the experience?

The United States of America is the country where there is a true dynamic of cultures. Culture is capable of affecting the value and reasoning of thoughts. Culture is a sensitive area each human must explore. In class, I learned about cultural awareness and how everyone should be compassionate and accepting of others and themselves. I grew up in a Christian world, however, now I am seeking something more. One lesson that will always be keen to my heart is: to love others as you love yourself; this verse is crucial for one’s growth. If one does not love him or herself than one cannot truly love another for who they are. Consequently, if one loves others, then one should be working on insecurities and gain more confidence so that it does not become an obstacle to truly care for others. Life is about embracing who you are, and in order to succeed in this, one must love others truly. The love for oneself and the love for others, should balance each other out. There are times where one should sacrifice time or other things in order to show love. Love should be unlimited and available for everyone, but unfortunately, some individuals never experience something so pure like love, hence, the reason why we have justice. Justice is embraced in our society, it requires one to become an advocate and learn how to empower individuals to use their voice. One of the reasons why I choose this field is because I want people to know they are loved and provide justice for them. In every

A sidewalk protects one from the dangers of the road when you need to go somewhere. It keeps you going towards the destination and helps to give one’s paths to follow. Even though it does influence one's direction, it still gives options. Some options might have danger like crossing the street but it will continue to have a plan for you.

Our civilizations relies upon people to develop morals and resilience through family, however, what happens when you grow up in an abusive family? Sure, you develop resilience quickly, unfortunately, you may build your moral foundation over a sinkhole. In addition to family dynamics, by age eleven, I survived being hung by a Mexican gang, three dog attacks and a house fire which left both legs covered in second degree burns. Fortunately, at age twelve, I ran away and a couple discovered me sleeping in their garage. Compassionately, they took me in and allowed me to live in a travel trailer on their property.