The month of my birthday also happens to be cardiac health awareness month, so I decided for my 16th birthday, rather than throwing some lavish party with guests I don’t know the names of, I’d make heart-shaped pillows for cardiac patients at a local hospital. I gathered supplies and ended up making 32 pillows; the sheer satisfaction of seeing the smiling faces of those who were in so much pain and discomfort was truly better than any materialistic gift I could possibly receive in my opinion. I enjoyed making the pillows so much that I decided to make them every year; I even got members of my dance school to join in on making them. I consider this experience as something I’ve grown from in that I learned the significance of simplicity, that even the most minuscule things can make the greatest impacts. I also learned the art of leader including taking initiative and influencing followers (i.e. those members of dance who will continue to make heart pillows in my absence).