What is Important to Me

What is important to me? Getting to school on time, finishing my homework, keeping up my grades, and getting enough sleep. I worry about all of these things, and more, every day. Like most people, I tend to overlook the real important parts of my life.
I get caught up in my busy schedule, and do not have the time to think about others. The amount of stress I experience everyday clouds my vision of what I really should appreciate. A good day for me would be finishing all of my homework. A good day is supposed to be a day where no one was hurt. A moment needs to be taken everyday to appreciate what we have. That is something I rarely did. After experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity, I now believe in that statement.
I traveled to Eastern Europe for eleven days with a group of fellow students. We toured concentration camps, synagogues, and the cities where Jewish life once existed. I went into this trip knowing that it would change my life, but I never imagined it would the way it did. I thought I would become more appreciative for my own life, but instead, I became more appreciative for the life of my family.
My family has always been there for me and will continue to always be. That is something I have taken for granted. Instead of thanking them for everything they do, I get mad because I want to do more. I yell when I am annoyed, cry when I am stressed, and rebel when I do not get my way. And yet, they still are always there for me. Instead of showing my mom gratitude for helping me pack for the trip, I just get mad because she was making me more stressed. Instead of seeing my brother’s annoying actions as wanting my attention, I would just yell. It was not until I saw their names on the walls of concentration camps that I realized how lucky I am. I assume that my family will be there everyday, just like the Holocaust victims assumed, but only they were not as lucky as I am. They lost everything, and yet I have everything, and still did not appreciate it.
My trip took an unexpected turn. I no longer worried about the work I had to do when I got home, or the anxiety of talking about my experience. I became more interested in buying my brother a shirt and speaking with my parents. I wanted to tell them everything, and I knew they would want to listen.
The reality check I experienced on my trip completely changed my outlook on life. Instead of dreading time with my parents, I now embrace it. Instead of avoiding conversations with my brother, I now start them. Instead of living my day without thinking of my family, I now take a moment to do so. I hope you will too.