I believe that relationships are important to the development and well being of people. Relationships between people are healthy because you learn from the people around you. Relationships are about trust, companionship; they are about growing and learning. Both positive and negative relationships are able to teach you a lot even though you don’t always realize it. Relationships can be deciphered so that you can discover what you have learned. Everybody you have a relationship with, whether it is a family member, a friend, or a girlfriend or boyfriend, can always teach you something. My father for example, has taught me to be honest, to be respectful, and to take pride in what you do. On the contrary, through my relationship with him I have learned what I want to do differently as a father. My parents have stressed the importance of getting good grades in school and that has also become a part of me. Not getting good grades is like swearing at my parents, neither end with a good result. I strive to do the work needed to maintain above average grades. Yet at the same time, I have realized that grades aren’t always the most important thing to worry about. My mother is an independent person and I think my relationship with her has taught me to be independent as well. I am learning that sometimes it is better to be able to rely on myself and not have to fall back on others. Role models or figures in the media can also teach you a lot. I think that even though you don’t always realize it, people that you don’t know personally can also have an affect on you. Musicians, characters from movies, or characters from books can help shape your personality. For instance I feel that after reading “Tuesdays With Morrie”, by Mitch Albon, that I have learned from the lessons in the book. The book is filled with very important life lessons of the main character Morrie and I feel that after reading and understanding the book I have become a different person. I really enjoyed watching the true story “Into the Wild”. It touched me how a person could be content with such simplicity as to want to live alone with nature. The main character had a great mind that we have the opportunity to learn from. I think that I have become more peaceful and understanding after watching and relating to this movie several times. I think that musicians and their music can also have an affect on people. In my life, Bob Marley has helped shape my personality. In his music he talks about peace, happiness, and relationships. I feel I have learned a lot through listening to his music. I think that I have come to appreciate the smaller, simpler things in life and care more about the big picture versus the here and now. I think that I have learned to love rather than to hate and to stay positive. Learning from the relationships you have with the people around you, I believe, is important to a person’s well being and growth.