Everyone has people in their lives that they can look at and confidently say, “this person has played a significant part in my life." Regardless of whether the experience was positive or negative, the end result is personal growth. Among the list may be people in your life ranging from parents to significant others to friends, but there’s usually a single person who stands out more than any other.

My parents, just as they are for the majority of people, were my first agents of socialization. Parents are there to teach you how to interact with others and guide moral values in life. My parents gave me the benefit of not subjecting me to harsh gender roles like some parents do. Having two older brothers to look after me, I grew the confidence to pursue anything that made me happy regardless of other’s perception of me. Playing with boys at recess in grade school instead of gossiping with girls was more appealing to me, so I did it without hesitation.

Every relationship - regardless of success - comes with lessons learned in how to improve oneself and one’s judgment of others; it’s impossible to go unchanged. It’s very easy to resent the idea that someone who hurt you changed how you see the world, but, regardless, it’s inevitable. A relationship leads to a person exploring interests which they may have not been open to prior to this encounter. Additionally, you’re further enlightened of the things you dislike. There may be failures in relationships, but all failures lead to an understanding of what you need out of another person. Each failure brings you closer to finding a better fit for you. Without experiences like this, neither I nor anyone else would understand when it’s okay to walk away from, or fight for, a person.

I have had many close friends over the course of my life but there are a few that I know will always be there for me, and I for them. The quantity of friends is irrelevant; it’s the quality of them that reigns supreme. This can only be achieved as a result of finding people who don’t fit with your personality. The hardships you face together are what truly bond you. I could know someone for five years, but if someone I’ve known for 3 months has seen the end of the world with me, I’ll be closer to them. For example, I’ve only known one of my best friends for a few years, but in that time she has not only become family to me but also helped me overcome all of the anxiety I had before. Thanks, in large part to her, I’m a much-improved version of what I once was.

There are so many people around us who become our agents of socialization, yet only a select few push us further through development as a person. While there are people that may not be in your life as long as you would like, you should always be thankful for the time that was spent together, as there’s always value in every experience. Everyone is constantly changing, and to think that someone may never change in any aspect is simply foolish.

While people do have a hard stance on opinions, there’s always a situation in the cards that holds the ability to change a someone’s mind. Being upfront and real with a person is the best thing you can do for a person you care about. It allows them to make decisions based on the full information surrounding a situation. The people in this world that help change you deserve the same dedication from you that they provided. Be there for the people you care about and be kind to those who care about you.