I am at the end of my first year of college, and I’ve realized how awesome it has been that I have been blessed with so many people who care about me and helped me grow. From when I was a young child to the person I am now, people have poured into my life and have taught me how to love people, how to work hard, how to be goofy, how to laugh, how to appreciate eating food, how to sing, how to dance, and how to enjoy the little things in life. There are so many things to talk about, and many people to thank, and this whole article may seem just like a jumbled mess of thoughts and feelings (lol, because it is), but that’s okay, because writing articles for The Odyssey has given me a way to express my heart, and I hope that what I am going to write in this article makes your heart glad.

To those who have taught me how to love people.

It is difficult a lot of times to love people, because people aren’t perfect and we all have insecurities and get hurt by each other. You have taught me, though, that conflict is part of life. You can’t escape it. People have this idea that you can only love people who can relate to you, have the same opinions and beliefs as you, and you should push people away who you can’t get along with. But that isn’t the case. Even though people may have different opinions and beliefs and live different lifestyles, we all go through hurt. We all have laughed. We all have cried. We all have felt joy. We all have felt being alone. And we all have loved and have been loved by some pretty awesome people. And so thank you to the people who have taught me this. It’s not about how different we are, but how much our hearts have gone through the same kinds of experiences.

To those who have taught me how to work hard.

Thank you for teaching me how to pull off all-nighters.

To those who have taught me how to be goofy.

Thank you for teaching me how to be silly and make weird faces and sounds. It makes my heart glad.

To those who have taught me how to laugh.

Thank you for showing me that laughter is the best medicine. Laughter brings so many people together, heals hearts and conflicts, and has been a way for me to communicate my heart for people.

To those who have taught me how to appreciate eating food.

Food is awesome. I love eating it. People wouldn’t be alive without it.

To those who have taught me how to sing.

You are the people I live with in college can blame for me singing in the shower. And also, it’s one of my ways that I communicate my heart and happiness. Thank you.

To those who have taught me how to dance.

Thanks for showing me how to work it.

And to those who have taught me how to enjoy the little things in life.

I appreciate that you can find joy and happiness in the little things. The best things in life are free.