I used to be a very self-centered person, but in the past two years I have really changed. I have started to think about other people 36 I think about myself. I am happy that I am becoming a 37 person.

I think my 38 started when I was at Palomar College. At first, I just wanted to get my 39 and be left alone. I thought I was smarter than everyone else, so I hardly ever 40 to anyone in my classes. By the end of my first semester, I was really 41 . It seemed as if everyone but me had made friends and was having fun. So tried a(n) 42 . I started asking people around me how they were doing, and if they were having trouble I 43 to help. That was really a big 44 for me. By the end of the year, I had several new friends, and two of 45 are still my best friends today.

A bigger cause of my new 46 , however, came when I took a part-time job at a Vista Nursing Home. One old lady there who had Alzheimer’s disease became my 47 . Every time I came into her room, she was so 48 because she thought I was her daughter. Her real daughter never 49 her, so I took her place. She let me 50 . that making others feel good make me feel good, too, when she died, I was 51 , but I was very grateful to her.

I think I am a much 52 person today than I used to be, and I hope I will not 53 these experiences. They have 54 me to care about other people more than about myself. I 55 who I am today, and I could not say that a few years ago.