Artifacts
Year of Service
My year of service project has played a large role in who I have become these past few months. I chose to work with the Crisis Text Line as my agency and I have experienced a lot already. I have learned a lot more about myself and how much I am able to handle when it comes to those heavier topics. I have also learned a lot about crisis management, and have been trained in helping others find their calm state again after a crisis. I have had conversations with many people, some more intense than others. I think these conversations have helped me become more in touch with my caring side and grow more as a leader. I’ve already started noticing small things in my daily life that have changed because of my service project. For example, when I’m talking to my friends who are stressed or upset, I subconsciously begin to go through the steps I was taught in training. It’s interesting to see how even though I help some people, they show me a lot back. I’m really grateful for my experience so far, and I am excited to continue helping people and making an impact in my community.
Artifact
Another artifact for me is my black belt. I started doing Tae Kwon Do when I was five, and it has remained a big part of my life since then. Doing Tae Kwon Do taught me many things about the art, but also about discipline and respect. It is a great sport to start young, because it can strongly shape a person and their personality. Throughout my childhood I was continuously involved in other sports as well, but the values I learned in Tae Kwon Do came with me wherever I went.
After I earned my black belt, I became an instructor and taught younger belts. This also had a large impact on my life, because I began to teach others at a young age. It helped me to work on my patience and learn more about those around me. Although the other sports I played taught me more about being on a team and reliability, Tae Kwon Do shaped me to be a respectful, honest, disciplined hard worker. I would definitely not be the person I am today had I not been involved in this sport. It has become a part of my personality and character, and I am grateful to have started so young.
Artifacts
My artifact is the piano because it has been a major aspect of my life for thirteen years. The piano is kind of a conflicting artifact for me because while it brings me a sense of calmness and clarity, it also makes me reminisce on countless hours of practicing and the hard work that has gone with it. I think playing the piano is a staple aspect of my life because when I get stressed with schoolwork or social situations, it is always there to snap me out of reality and calm me down.
Playing the piano is also very important to me because it highlights the effort I place in all activities. It represents hard work, motivation, and perseverance because of the many hours I’ve spent playing and practicing for exams. It is an interesting artifact for me because it has brought both challenging and calming sides to me. But overall, it still remains an extremely important aspect to my life, as I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t play anymore!
The piano helps to tell my story because it encompasses both the challenging moments as well as the relaxing ones. It showcases my personality very well in the fact that I love to work hard and achieve my goals, but also relax and enjoy time with others. Playing the piano represents me very well and I love the strength and motivation that I have received from this instrument since I was a child. I don’t know who I would be if I didn’t learn these lessons along the way and impact from this beautiful instrument.