There are plenty of people that I look up to who are older than me. My mom, my dad, professors and older peers, but there is only one person that I look up to who is younger than I am and that is my brother, Brendan.
My brother and I weren’t always close, but that has changed a lot since we have grown older. When I was younger, I think I took having a brother for granted. Over time though, I’ve learned that the bond between a brother and sister is very special and not everyone gets to experience it, so I should take advantage of this opportunity I have and spend as much time with him as I possibly can before we get too old and life gets in the way.
Through the time I’ve spent with my brother so far, I’ve learned a lot. My brother’s outlook on life is a very unique one and sometimes I wish I could live my life the way he lives his.
For someone who just graduated high school, he is one of the smartest people that I know. He knows what he wants in life and he doesn’t let anyone get in the way of that. He has big plans for his future and he, without a doubt, knows he will achieve them. No one can tell him any different, and if they try to he won’t even give them a second thought.
He’s also all about good vibes and if you are not contributing to those vibes, he will tell you. If someone or something isn’t contributing to his happiness, then it doesn’t have a place in his life and again, he isn’t afraid to let that be known.
My brother is also the most relaxed person that I’ve ever met, completely opposite from me. I’m always panicked or stressed out about something, but not this kid. Whether it’s school, friendships or just life in general my brother doesn’t seem to let anything get to him. He has the mentality that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to eventually, so there is no reason to worry about it and I think this is a great mentality to have.
Not to mention he’s also the funniest person that I know. I have yet to meet someone who makes me laugh harder than my brother does. Even at moments when I think it’s not possible for me to laugh, like when I get my heart broken or that time I got into a car accident, my brother has the ability to make me laugh until I cry. He has taught me that even in the toughest moments of life, you can always find at least one reason to smile and that is something that I’m so thankful for.
He isn’t afraid to be honest, he isn’t afraid to do things his own way (even though it may not be the popular way) and he’s just happy living his life for himself and nobody else. And that’s the way it should be.
I try to incorporate everything I’ve just said about my brother into my own life. I try not to stress over every little thing and I try to live my life the best way I can for myself. It’s not always easy, but having someone around like my brother helps.
I think it’s safe to say that I wouldn’t be able to live without my brother. I have learned so much from him over the past few years, and as he grows older I’m looking forward to learning more. So in addition to being someone I can always talk to about anything, someone who never judges me for who I am, and someone who can always cheer me up when no one else can, he is also someone that I look up to (even though he may be three years younger than I am).
