Uncertainty is a topic that I definitely struggle with. I think it's uncomfortable for us to knowingly accept unfamiliarity.

I 100% agree with this idea of repression. When individuals experience trauma--especially at a younger age--it is likely that they will experience a mental block. This is when they subconsciously force themselves to "block" the experience or to dissociate in order to not continuously experience that trauma consciously.

I think it's important to learn the stories of redemption, success, and perseverance. However, I also believe it is important to share stories of struggle. I think, sometimes, it may be important to share these struggles and to show that sometimes it may be extremely challenging to overcome these struggles. I think it is important to not overlook these aspects of life, but to instead focus on them to include individuals who may be struggling and those who are unable to overcome their struggles. It is normal to be at a point in your life where you may be unable to overcome something immediately or may need to seek outside and professional help. I think it is important to paint a facade of life--to not only paint a story of redemption and perseverance. Instead, I think it is important to include the stories of those who may not be there yet to foster a sense of inclusion; and more importantly, to reiterate that it is totally normal to not be okay or to have it 100% figured out at the moment.

I think it is important to discuss life stories because often we experience challenges or difficulties that we cannot process ourselves. Sometimes it is important to have an outside perspective, or simply a space to share your story. It's also important that we as a society learn from each other, and deeply consider how our lives differ to learn appreciation, develop understanding, and to grow.

This is a metaphor of life. Again, it suggests the idea that throughout life we will face road-blocks or obstacles that prevent us from success, etc. I think it was clever to include this metaphor to remind us that when we hit a road-block, or in this case, "a tree", it is important to not let that deter us and to instead persevere.

I like the way that this paragraph explains or suggests identity. By suggesting that from birth people begin as "actors" is suggesting that we as children follow our assigned "roles"--we are not yet able to forge our own paths. Instead, we remain confined and held to meet certain expectations. As we grow and develop our own perspectives and personalities,we may revolt against these expectations. Therefore, we are still hesitant to create our own journey, but are more likely to engage in decisions that fit our own values and not those of society. Finally, as a more matured and experienced individual, we are not easily persuaded or as manipulated by society anymore. We have learned to develop resilience through the many life experiences we have endured. Therefore, this resilience contributes to greater self-knowledge and awareness. It enables us to start forming our own beliefs, values, opinions, and expectations for ourselves that are influenced by society.

I think storytelling is a way that people can process difficult issues or thoughts or maybe even things they don't quite understand. Maybe, in a sense, storytelling provides an escape--a way to escape reality.

I agree with this statement. Specifically, with this first part. This once again represents the idea of acceptance and being able to convey your story--to recognize how it has shaped or affected you in the long run. Additionally, I think as a matured individual such as an adult, it may be easier to share your story with a stranger or someone whom you may just be starting a relationship with. However, I don't think this applies specifically to adults. In general, I believe this applies to individuals of any age. I think healthy individuals or those who have faced challenges have the experience to be able to convey their story because they are more likely to accept life's challenges. I recognize that adults are more likely to have had these experiences, though. In general, I think those who have healed from negative experiences have an easier time sharing their story. But, I also think it applies to personality--some people may just be too shy or apprehensive to share their stories with an individual or they may not yet know how their life experiences have affected them.

Again, I believe this statement to be critically important into the development of character and identity. If one cannot accept the adversities they have faced, then they cannot grow. To put it into perspective, if a tragic event occurred in someone's life, then that person has two options: 1) They can choose to let it affect them forever, complain about it, not seek help, let it ultimately affect their lives, etc. OR 2) They can choose to struggle yet eventually move on; which simultaneously helps that individual to learn and grow. Therefore, this again reflects the importance of being able to accept difficulties and make these challenges into a positive part of your life. Ultimately, everything we go through in life shapes our personality and our character--we just choose how we let it.

I agree with this statement. I believe in order to grow and evolve as an individual a crucial step is being open to accepting setbacks or challenges. I think that the acceptance of these difficulties allows us to expand our way of thought and our knowledge. If we can then accept these challenges, we can then accept them as a part of who we are--a momentary obstacle in the past yet a life lesson that contributes to growth. It's truly important to be able to recognize all the different aspects of your life, and to recognize the different parts of your life that helped to shape you as an individual. I think dealing with adversity helps you to challenge your mind and yourself. Ultimately, it may even bring about new "traits, goals, and values".

I believe this is more than common in most of our lives--especially today with the normalcy, routines, and expectations being disrupted by the pandemic. However, pandemic aside, I believe this is statement to be relatable in most of our lives. Even though we can make our own decisions, we ultimately cannot control the way our life goes or how situations pan out. In a sense, it is fate. I think most of us have to experience an "existential crisis" to build character and strength. Life isn't life without momentary setbacks.

This is an interesting, yet, I believe crucial and accurate representation of the way of life. This statement provides a very true perspective on life. Specifically, it implies that we as individuals have the ultimate say and decision in how we live or lives, and more importantly, how we shape them. We get the opportunity to shape our own "narratives"; thus, each of our own narratives are different. How we think, feel, react, and make decisions tie into our humanity. No one can make these decisions or form these thoughts for you, which provides us own with unique experiences and outlooks. Ultimately, this uniqueness, varying perspectives, and how we choose to embark on life, shapes our destiny and who we are fundamentally.