Cause and Effect Essay

Meagan Wanzong
English 110 Sec. 004
March 27, 2009
Cause and Effect Essay


My Influences


Throughout my life there have been many influences that shaped me into the person I am today. My mother and father taught me to work hard and treat others the way I would like to be treated. My sister pushed me to always incorporate fun into my everyday life. These influences impacted my life in several ways and caused me to be the person I am today.
Ever since I was a young child my parents consistently reminded me of the golden rule: “Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated.” Growing up I was never the perfect child. I disrespected my parents many times and they would always say, “Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated.” When mean to my friends or my little sister and my parents heard about this they would say, “Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated.” If I wanted to tell someone something rude my parents would say, “Treat others only in ways that you're willing to be treated.” After constant reminders one would think that this rule would be embedded into a child’s brain. However, this was not the case. One does not fully understand the golden rule until another person does something mean back to you because of what you did to them. Many times my sister and I would be playing doll house in our basement. Owning every toy imaginable, I always needed to have the doll house set up the way I wanted. But today was different, instead of setting it up the way I wanted, my sister organized the house before I could! This caused me to become angry and I threw a temper tantrum. My parents ran down the stairs and asked what the problem was. My sister bluntly stated that she set up the doll house how she liked it because Meagan always organized it. Upon hearing this, my parents stared at me and told me that if I shared the task of arranging the house then my sister would share the task too. While looking back this dumb tantrum forced me to understand that if I shared my sister would share too. The repetition of the golden rule allowed me to realize that if I was kind to my friend they would be kind back to me. If I listened to my parents they would listen to what I wanted to do and say yes more often. This rule guides me to be kind to everyone, everyday. If I treat them the way I want to be treated they will give me the same respect.
When living in my parents’ home I completed chores each week. Washing the dishes, making my bed, feeding the dog, practicing piano, and cleaning my room. In high school my parents encouraged me to apply for a job. I filled out an application at Shopko and they hired me. These chores, completed every week, allowed me to understand the idea of responsibility. Hard work, on-time, and getting along with coworkers were instilled in me by working at Shopko. Forcing me to work for what I wanted, stressed the importance of hard work. By encouraging me to work for things I wanted my parents taught me the meaning of hard work. Because of my work ethic and working well with coworkers, my managers complimented me on how I work. I give credit to my parents for instilling in me this important characteristic of who I am.
Growing up my sister and I never understood each other or could get along with each other. Recently we have learned how to. My sister and I are completely different when it comes to personalities. I am more serious, strict, and hard-working. She is free-spirited, fun, and focuses on the things that she wants to do instead of those things that she needs to do. Because of this my sister and I never have seen eye to eye. Recently I wanted to go on this trip with my friends. My parents said that it was my choice if I wanted to go but they did not approve of me going. Ultimately my sister’s fun seeking self encouraged me to do something fun instead of always being serious and listening to my parents. When she told me this I took her advice and decided I would go on this trip. In the end, the trip did not happen but my sister taught me that in order to live a happy life there must be fun in it. My sister gave me a great gift and whenever I need something fun to do, I call her up and she gives me an idea in under five seconds.
My mother, father, and my sister have been the main influences in my life. My parents have taught me hard work and to treat others the way you want to be treated is very important in life. My sister showed me that adding fun into everyday life will allow me to be a happier person. Because of these influences I have become a hardworking, kind, and fun-seeking person.