Compassion, Fireworks, & The Value of Honesty.

I’ve known three of my best friends for almost fourteen years. Not only have they taught me the importance of empathy and that honesty is worth more than money, but they are also constantly pushing me to become a better person than I was yesterday. They encourage me, usually with force, to go outside my comfort zone; I’ve jumped off cliffs skiing that I thought we0re absurdly high, gotten kicked out of a Walmart by building a toilet paper fort, and shot fireworks at the ground (they ricocheted and nearly hit us) due to their encouragement. Without growing up in a small community, I don’t think I would have created such meaningful relationships with other kids my age; I know that I wouldn’t be nearly as honest, as compassionate, or as bold if I didn’t have such strong bonds with the people I care about. I’ve become bolder because the size of my comfort zone has increased through being pushed to do things I’m not necessarily comfortable with, learned the value of honesty after having to rebuild relationships with friends after my trust has been broken, and have more compassion for others after listening to what the people I care about are going through.

Living in the Vail Valley is incredible. There isn’t any traffic, the air is clean, and we have the ability to do things outside year-round. However, it does have its shortcomings. While we have world-class ski slopes and hiking trails out our back doors, we lack the opportunity kids in cities have, such as diverse programs and exposure to different cultures. Diversity makes people of different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and classes interact and learn from each other. It makes them respect other humans, not just people of their own “type.” Empathy towards other humans increases.

Through Children’s Global Alliance (CGA), I have met people and been exposed to cultures. I never thought I’d experience. Leaving my safe haven to travel to developing countries with CGA impacted me more than I ever imagined. I am a more outgoing and kind person than I was three years ago. I behave differently in social situations and am constantly thinking about how I affect others. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have grown up with such a privileged life in the valley and have seen much of the opposite when visiting developing countries. It serves as a constant reminder of the responsibility I feel to give back to others.

I do not believe that people are made into the people they are solely based on where they grew up. I have not only been impacted by the people I surround myself with and the place I grew up, but I’ve also been affected by the experiences I’ve had, both at home and abroad. I am eternally grateful for the people that support me daily and the experiences I’ve had that have shaped me into the person I am today; I hope that I may impact others the way the people I care about have impacted me by supporting others and their passions, help them if they are at a low point in life, or even help them celebrate if they are thriving and happy.