I’ve been holding on to damaging pieces of my past for so long now and it’s exhausting. I know that to move forward, I need to let these pieces go and try to live in the present moment, rather than looking for inadequacies in myself and my upbringing. I came to realization that I should not be attached the problems I faced as a young girl, but realize that they are her problems. I will divorce myself of this negativity and move forward with my life with clarity. I only hope and pray that she can do the same, and learn to divorce the problems that have plagued her all her life.

When I think of the word “perspective”, I immediately think of people. Imagine all the possible perspectives of the world that every person possesses.

I believe there are many positions in perspective that we can achieve. We can collect information and form an opinion. We can become aware through listening and contemplation. We can go to where we’ve never gone before to see what we’ve never seen.

In moving to the Netherlands, I seek to travel to give perspective to my thoughts and relationships. As challenging as my journey can sometimes be, I always remember that the most difficult parts of my life are the ones that will mold me into my greater self. For these experiences and lessons, I am grateful.