Personally, I believe that the choices a person makes are what shape who they are. Growing up in Southern Maryland provided me with many choices that gave me the opportunity to shape the person I hope to become. It also gave me the privilege to experience things and meet people that I might not have had if I had grown up in a different place. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In Southern Maryland, the diversity of people really gives you the opportunity to choose who you want to be. There are those who are religious - that's my family - and then you go to school and meet people who challenge the values ​​and beliefs you've been taught your whole life. The experiences I have had with those who challenge what I believe have been the most enlightening experiences. I have learned to stand up for what I believe is right, even if I have to go against my peers. Southern Maryland has also provided me with the things and people that have influenced me thus far. My two biggest influences are music and my older brother, Robbert. Music has been a big part of my life since I started playing the guitar at the age of eight. Music taught me how and where to channel all my feelings. It also taught me how important it is to be who you are and not change yourself. Everyone has a different musical taste, just like everyone has their own personality and life goals. My brother has influenced my life in a different aspect. He has become someone I admire more than anyone. I have seen him struggle with problems in his life, but no matter what happens he never gives up. A perfect example is when he was denied entry into the Air Force. He spent his entire life and school focused on joining the Air Force and was told his senior year of college that he couldn't achieve his dreams. What was surprising was the way he handled it. Instead of being angry or depressed, he decided to look at it as if it happened for a reason. Robbert taught me how to deal with things that didn't go the way you wanted. It taught me that things happen - or don't happen - for a reason and to find a way to turn it into a positive thing. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay All of these things have helped shape who I am today and have helped teach me things that will help me when I finally get to where I want to be in life. And where I want to be is in a hospital, helping people as much as I can. My plan is to eventually become an ER doctor after school which I need. For a while I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew I wanted to help people. I went back and forth between medicine and crime, but eventually came to a decision from the emergency room doctor. In this way I experience firsthand the excitement that drove me to solve crimes mixed with saving lives. I know there may be disappointments in my journey, and that's where my brother's lessons come in. And I'm going to have to make tough decisions and stick to my gut no matter what people say, and that's where my experiences come into play. While nothing is certain, I know that the experiences and people that impact me will lead me in the right direction, even if it doesn't go exactly the way I want it to..