An Aspect of Identity

Word Count: 533

Located in Central America, with five stars on its blue and white flag to represent itself and the other four counties near it (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua), Honduras is the foundation that has shaped one aspect of my identity that I have today. Raised by two Honduran parents, I grew up entwined and invested with the rich culture it had to offer. I would feel proud to own and wear anything that hinted at me being Honduran. I would get the newest soccer jerseys every year and wear them proudly on the days that the international team would be playing soccer on television. It would be a time where I could support my race and visually show it. Although I was born and raised in the United States, I have always seemed to have a little bit more pride toward being Honduran than American.

Honduran Flag

I have visited Honduras on a couple of occasions and have seen its natural beauty. My first few visits to Honduras were when I was a child, about eight years of age, and I remember being taught how to swim and how to ride a bicycle without training wheels on it for the first time. Although knowing these things would be helpful to me later in life, I also learned one extremely important life lesson while I was there. Always have gratitude. While Honduras may be a beautiful country because of its breathtaking landscape and fascinating culture, it is also a limited country due to its weak economy. Its inhabitants live in poverty and one can visually see their struggle as they attempt to get by each day. There are children with no clothes, others with torn clothes, homes that are falling apart, and people who are unhealthily skinny and weak. I thought to myself, "why do these people live so bad?" Personally witnessing how Honduran people suffered had sparked a realization to how fortunate I was to be living as well as I did. The thought changed my perspective on life as I reflected to how ungrateful I was prior to this life changing moment. At the time, I had my own room in a cozy house, fresh clothes, food in my stomach, and much more. From that day on, I began to appreciate many more things and took less things for granted. I have met many people in my life and it has surprised me to see how much they take things for granted. I always tell myself, "they don't realize how good they have it." I am glad that when I was younger I learned how significant gratitude was because I believe that being grateful has led me to numerous successful paths in my life. I understood that people were less fortunate than others and maintaining that knowledge has kept me humble.

Landscape in Honduras

Poverty in Honduras

Unfortunately, throughout my life, there have been times where I have slipped, as I am not perfect, and have caught myself being unappreciative; however, I always end up realizing my faults and apologize for them. Having gratitude is important and having that lesson taught to me by my race, has shaped one aspect of my identity that I will always keep.

Me as a child