During my undergraduate studies I read a book entitled "Mans Search For Meaning" written by Victor Frankl. This literary work has defined, clarified and validated my purpose. Frankl states, "A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how." After reading that statement I immediately begin to reflect on my life and I was able to understand the meaning in and of my suffering. The reason I decided to pursue a degree in social work, is because it would allow me to fulfill my destiny. As a child, I had experience many obstacles and I found myself constantly questioning the meaning of my life. Most of the time I didn't even have the will to live, I spent my adolescent years depressed, alone, confused and institutionalized. I was not hopeful and really didn't care what happened to me because I was convinced that I have already experienced the worst. As I got older I wanted to defy the odds and prove to so many people that I had potential and that I could amount to anything I put my mind to. I wanted to remove myself from the box that people so neatly placed me in. Because I was a troubled teenager people had assigned to me a destiny that wasn't to promising, it displayed the low expectations that they had as far as I was concerned. I on the other hand did not appreciate their lack of faith in me and this feeling willed me to ascribe my own destiny full of hope and achievements. The very things that brought me so much despair and pain became the motivating forces in my life and by the grace of God I was able to pull myself up out of the pit I was in. Life became bearable for me and I begin to conquer the obstacles that constantly was placed on my path. As a young adult, troubled teenagers began to attract themselves to me.
