Amber

I have learned a lot of things in my life. Something that sticks out to me as being very important is value and respect. I don't see many people learning the meaning of value. I think if people learned to value and respect not only things but people the world would be a better and more exquisite place for everyone. You can't go through life expecting a silver platter handed to you. Do you really want to show the world how snobby and selfish you can be? Or do you want to show them that you value things and respect things? When you don't value things in our life you also take them for granted and a lot of people don't realize that. I don't want to be that type of person that takes things for granted. When you do that you lose people and you lose things that you have. People should always value everything even if they are the littlest things in the world. I've always wondered why people are so selfish. Though I'm not saying that I am perfect because sometimes I am the same way but with everything I have learned it's just wrong. Also there is the topic of respect; value and respect are a lot alike. You can't go through life not respecting people or things either. Respect is also a huge deal in my life because without respect people will never respect you.




So the question is, why value and respect everything you have? Why is it a big deal? I think it's a huge deal in my eyes but maybe that's just me. I have heard this before and it's just my opinion and I don't want to sit here and judge anyone about value and respect. Everyone can base their own opinions and they have every right to do just so. From my own personal experience you need to value what you have. It could be gone in the flash of your eyes and what would you do then.

When I was younger and I lived with my parents before I was adopted, I lived in a trailer home with five kids, and stupid parents who spent their money on the wrong things. The things me and my siblings got we never took for granted and we valued each and every little thing we got. Even after they were sold we still appreciated them. I never wanted to lose what we had. But I guess you never know what you have until it's gone.



My other personal experience is about respect: Since I live with my aunt and she has adopted me. I have lived with her since I was 7 and she has taught me a lot of things about respect. My aunt and I used to fight constantly about everything. I would always put up a fight and scream back and just not care. But with everything she has taught me I learned that I never respected her like I should of. I never did what I was told and I never really cared about anything she said. I used to lie and I realized I lost her respect. It took me almost a year to gain her respect back and it was hard. I never realized how hard it was for her when she took me and my little sister in and how much she cared. Otherwise today I would be in a foster home like I was before I came to live with her. I would be separated and alone. But she changed that for me. Respect is a big thing to me; I think you have to have respect for everything.



When I first got my car. I never had a car before so it was something new to me. I took care of that car and made sure it was spotless and it looked nice. I valued this car more than ever. I knew if I didn't I would eventually lose the car. Since it came from my aunt it was something special. I knew my parents could never afford to buy me a car so I never took my aunt for granted. This car meant a lot to me. But eventually my sister totaled the car and now I'm left with nothing till nov.8. Unlike me my sister could care less about the car. She has not learned the meaning of value and I think it will take her years before she does.

 I had a neighbor once who never valued or respected anyone or anything he was not the very nicest person to anyone and he never cared. When he got new things he destroyed them. He didn't respect anyone. When I got my new car he was totally jealous and came to talk to me. He asked me why I got new things and he didn't. I told him that maybe if he learned to respect his mom and took care of the things he had received he would be able to get a new car like me. I eventually talked to his mom and had her test him and see if he would change. One day he had gotten a new dirt bike for his 17th birthday, He valued that bike and took care of it every day he rode it. After that, he respected his mom so much she thanked me for helping him. Steven is still one of my closest friends; He still thanks me sometimes for showing him the true meaning of those things. This is why the world should learn these two things and really appreciate them.