Values

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 "Happiness is the state of consciousness which proceeds
 from the achievement of one's values."- Ayn Rand

Values are what we hold to a high standard in life and are things that we were raised upon. Most people hold different things close to their heart. Values can range from faith to academics and can encompass many aspects. Many of my personal values are based upon things I learned throughout my elementary school and middle school years and are based on faith in my religion and its history. My values push me to be the best version of myself.

I want to thrive both inside and outside of school and make those around me proud of my success. I also appreciate the challenges I face that push me to better myself. Often these challenges center on my moral compass and I look to the values instilled in me at young age to guide my decisions.

Tangible signs help remind me to stay in check with my values: I wear a Hamsa bracelet everyday as a symbol of my religion and every time I look at it I remember the values I learned through my study of the Torah and life experiences. Looking at this small reminder helps me reflect on the decisions I made in the past few hours. Often, for me, this reflection occurs while I am running on a treadmill. As I run, I think of both the positives and negatives of my day and how I can improve upon the decisions I make. Running is my time for reflection and after a run I always feel better.