A profound statement that has resonated with me throughout my life came from Albert Einstein who expressed, “Great spirits have often overcome violent opposition from mediocre minds". I was born on the night of June 6th, 1997 in Tacoma, Washington, where I have spent the majority of my life. While I experienced the traumas associated with divorce, and mentally ill relatives, I was privileged in that I always had a roof to live under, food to eat, and decent educational opportunities. My mother’s mental illness contributes to much of the strife that I have faced, and constantly work to overcome. I also have personal struggles with mental illness, and face daily challenges proposed by clinical anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Since I have taken the time to become educated on mindfulness and self-awareness, my health has improved significantly. Though I have yet to complete even one-third of the average lifespan, I have overcome adversity on multiple occasions, which contributed to my passion for psychology and the lifespan perspective. To start, I was nothing but a budding embryo, conceived during Autumn in 1996. I have three older siblings who chose my name together, and were eagerly awaiting for the arrival of their baby sister while preparing to move into a brand new home. Unfortunately, my mother smoked cigarettes while I was in utero, and did not refrain from alcoholic beverages as recommended. It is possible that her excessive smoking could have contributed to my
