Silver Linings, Essay Example

The most difficult experience I’ve encountered in my life was when my family and I moved from Texas to New York. We were all required to adjust to a new lifestyle. Living in Texas, I had grown up surrounded by people who loved and supported me, and with many friends. My life in New York, however, was the complete opposite. When I started school, I was bullied, felt isolated, and struggled to make friends. One incident that I will never forget is when a classmate stabbed me in the chest with a sharpened pencil and successfully severed my skin. Even though I required medical attention, I thought that I was lucky because it didn’t damage any of my vital organs. With the help of the New York Police Department and my school counselors, I found it in my heart to forgive him.

In spite of this personal growth, I became increasingly depressed as my time in Rochester continued. I felt so lonely and lost that I didn’t realize my family members were experiencing similar troubles. Finally, after years of struggling, I opened up to my parents and admitted my feelings to them. As an act of hope, my mom and I knelt down and said a prayer, asking for guidance. Our prayer directed us back home to Texas. After readjusting to my life in my home state, my family and I explored our faith more intensely and began missionary discussions. We were all baptized a few months later. My trials in New York helped me realize that it is okay to ask for help when you are overwhelmed and struggling to adjust to change. My experience with my classmate helped me become more aware of bullying and how to help others handle these situations. Most importantly, I learned to forgive those who hurt me, to never underestimate the power of prayer, and to always remember that the Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us.