<p>Hey some feedback and constructive criticism would be great! My statement is 740 words (which is pretty long) so if theres anything i need to cut please let me know! Thank you! 
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<p>We live in a world of takers. As the label implies, all takers do is take. Fortunately, every individual inherits their own piece of this world through their values, beliefs, and experiences. Where I come from, there is nothing more important than giving. Whether it is giving your all, giving your time, or giving your support, you have to give some to gain any. There have been three memorable occasions where the lesson of giving has made a profound impact on my outlook on life. Although these three occasions are exceptionally different in the message they portray, they have all contributed to my understanding of giving and why it is important.</p>
<pre><code> The first lesson was given by my softball coach, Aaron Ramirez. It had been my dream to be on my high school softball team. I had fallen in love with the game of baseball at a young age and had always fantasized about playing on a field of my own. Although I had never played softball before, I wanted to make the team more than anything. After talking to Coach Aaron about joining the team, he put me in the class to see if I had potential. Softball was nothing like I imagined. The conditioning was brutal and the drills were endless. However, I did not let the workload intimidate me. I went to practice every day and put my heart into every step of the way. I improved over time, but I was sure I had not improved enough to make the team. When I heard my name on the team roster after the last tryout, I thought I had heard coach wrong. After everyone had cleared off the field, I asked Coach Aaron why he chose me for the team when most of the girls who did not make cuts had more skill. His response still plays in my head from time to time. “Skill only gets you so far. You can always learn skill, but no one can teach you heart.” I took more than just a softball jersey away from that experience. My coach taught me that giving your all can get you to where you need to be. I may have not been the best on the team, but I was always doing my best. When you are always giving something your all, you will always get something out of it.
The next lesson was given by my mother. Every summer, I would laze about the house with no intent of being productive. And every summer, my mom would nag about all the things I could be doing with my time. The summer before my sophomore year was when I started listening. I decided to ditch my regular summer routine and sign up for, Sharefest YDA, a youth development program not far from my house. My summer as a junior counselor at Sharefest changed my perspective on the importance pg giving your time. After spending a summer volunteering and making an impact, my self-efficacy flourished. I had always had the potential and capability to make a difference, but my four summers at Sharefest YDA sustained me with the motive and drive to make constructive use of my time.
The last lesson (like many last lessons) was given by me. My junior year of high school I founded and presided over Club A-Team, a philanthropic community service club. A-Team is a unique club that enhances leadership skills, advocates charity, and encourages community service in an innovative way. The club’s sole purpose is to show youth that no matter what age, you can make a difference. Presiding over an upcoming club has been one of most challenging and eye-opening experiences. However, the stress was worth it. After a year as president of Club A-Team I had come to the realization that leadership had always been one of my strong suits. I have always been a great leader who provided guidance and counsel for anyone who needed it. Giving my support to cause that I feel is important, has helped me realize my objective in life.
These three lessons have taught me the importance and outcome of giving. Being a giving person is not just about kindness and selflessness; it is about being all you can be by doing all you can do. I firmly believe that you cannot receive a miracle with closed hands. So, I chose to live my life with arms wide open.
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