Heroes

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They can be people you are close to, or people who you admire such as political figures, musicians, actors, etc. I have several heroes in my life. They include my parents, my paternal grandparents, and my boyfriend.
My parents got married when my mom was only 20. They had little money; she worked at a clothing store, and my dad was a manager at U-Haul. When I was born, my dad started a business with his brother. He started by selling pillows door-to-door, and eventually they took out a loan and bought a factory. My mom stuck with my dad as he started this endevour, having faith in his dreams and in their love. I can remember being little and walking to the end of our street to meet my dad as he walked home from work. My house was always a happy house. I have no memories of fighting, except the bickering between my brother and I. Today my dad's business has grown and my mom is a secretary for the town supervisor where they live. They just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, and continue to provide happiness and love for our family. Even after 25 years of marriage, they prefer sitting in front of a fire just the two of them and having a quiet conversation, than sit in front of the t.v. in silence. It always amazes me that 2 people can still have so much to talk about after 25 years, and I can only hope that I will be like that when I've been married 25 years.
My paternal grandparents are my heroes as well. They are the happiest people you will ever meet, and they are the cutest couple I have ever seen. They have been married around 50 years, and will still tease each other and laugh with each other. They know each other so well, and finish each other's sentences and stories. I used to spend my summer vacations at their house, and I remember my grandfather always making things for my brother and I to play with. They didn't have cable or a computer, but I never remember being bored at their house because they would always provide us with some outdoor activity or game to play. I even remember having fun bringing trash to the town dump with them, because they made a game out of throwing the cans in bins. What kid has fun going to the dump with their grandparents?! They provided plenty of love, happiness, and excitement for their four children, as I have learned from the many stories they've shared during various family gatherings.
Lastly, my boyfriend is my hero. He is 25 years old, and has experienced more in his life than most people ever will. He battled with addiction for many years, and is now 41/2 years sober. He got his GED, and today went off to grad school for psychology. He is taking his experiences, and is using them to help others who are in the same situation that he once was in. I have confidence and faith that he can do anything he sets his mind to because he is so passionate about the things he loves. He has such a positive attitude, is so caring and loving, and is always making me laugh. He is my hero because of all the things he has overcome, and all the things he will do in his life. When I met him I had no idea that he had the past he had (until he told me of course) because he seemed like the total opposite of what he used to be. His past has shaped him into who he is today, and I am thankful for that because today he is the sweetest, funniest, most caring person there is, and I am thankful that I'm lucky enough to be in his life.
I'm lucky enough to have these people in my life to look up to, and I hope that everyone has heroes that influence their lives the way these people have influenced mine.

Karma

I'm a believer in karma. I believe that if you're a nice person and genuinely care about people other than yourself, good things will come to you and you'll lead a happy life. I also think that if you treat others unkindly and are self-centered, you most likely will (if you're not already) lead an unhappy life and bad things will come your way. But how do we know if karma exists? The answer is that you never really do know because the people you experience in passing who make an impression on you, you most likely will not get to see karma reach them.
For example, a co-worker of mine is an ass, to put it bluntly. He loves to hear himself talk and to put others down. When he talks and tells people what to do, I always think how I can't stand him. Then I start to think about karma, and how he's a 50 year old man that main thing in his life is this job that I, a 22 year old can do. It almost makes me feel sorry for him because this is probably the most he will do in his life. The people who work under him are going places in their lives, and will not remain at this work place forever. I think about karma with this man and how I will never get to see it pan out because I will be long gone from this job by the time it may pan out. However, I still believe in it, although I may not see it happen.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. It's such an elementary phrase, yet it's so important in life. If you're kind to others karma will come your way and others will be kind to you. Sometimes you may not realize it right away, but I believe that karma is real and everyone experiences it in some way or another.