I have been fortunate enough to have many positive attributes in my life that have influenced my character. While the positive have taught my a great deal about myself, the negative experiences and influences which I have encountered have taught me exponentially more and have driven the development of the person I am today. My relationship with my parents has helped me cultivate a strong sense of independence and individualism. As a child, my parents brought me along for their various outings. I had a unique exposure to an adult environment at the various cocktail parties and social outings, which provided a higher level of maturity despite my youth. I was able to apply this newfound maturity in my private primary education, helping me form connections, which would later be beneficial to my increasingly active roll in the community. My maturity, independence, and individualism are my most definitive qualities, which I believe are routed in my close relationship with my parents, partially attributed to being an only child.

I was brought up in a hard working family in which the two most important concepts to understand were determination and perseverance. They taught me, when I set a goal for myself, and I should try to attain that goal with 100% effort for the duration of the task. My father introduced me to the concept of independence at a young age. He instilled in me that I shouldn’t even have a need to rely on anyone other than myself. It is a quality that I am very thankful for. This was able to teach me self-reliance, one feature have used a lot in college. I used perseverance, determination, and independence in order to complete whatever work I put myself to.

I was around adults long enough starting at such a young age to begin developing my sense of maturity. People are all truly products of their environment and I am no different. Being surrounded by adults, I knew nothing other than trying to act like an adult. This equipped me to deal with scenarios in my teenage years that I otherwise would have mishandled if it were not for my sense of maturity. There have been many a cocktail party where I have been the youngest one there by quite a few years (no offence mom, you still look like you are 29) but regardless of the age difference I have never felt worried, awkward, or unable to hold a conversation with someone 30 years my senior. Quite a few times I have told my friends that I would be attending an event with my parents and their response is typically something along the lines of, “Wow, I’m sorry that sucks” but for me typically look forward to these “dreaded” events. Because of some of these cocktail parties I have met senators, professional athletes, and mentors in my chosen line of work. In all of these scenarios I was always expected to be able to hold conversations, be cordial and mature. My positive quality of maturity was able to calm any possible existing anxiety and help me hold effective conversations. In addition, individualism is an aspect of my character, which I value dearly. As an only child, you are an individual from birth. With no other sibling to spend time with or become close to, you learn much about yourself. There is something calming and peaceful about owning the moment, being the only person in that moment, making it yours.

A person is truly shaped by those who surround their life and those who are involved their overall development. This influence occurs when others affect one’s emotions, opinions, or behaviors. My parents were the main source of my influences and also the ones responsible for my three most distinguished qualities. Without their influence I would most definitely be a completely different person today, one who would have different values, different concepts on certain ideas, and most importantly one who would have a different view on everyday life. As much as I say I wish I had a sibling, I am thankful for being an only child because it has taught me at a young age the crucial attributes I needed and will continuously need throughout the rest of my life.