As future educators, we are expected to deal with diverse students. We have to recognize the nature of their development and their behaviors. Erik Erikson’s ‘Theory of Psychosocial Development’ plays an important role in understanding these factors that may contribute to their learning. His theory is centered on what is known as the epigenetic principle in which he proposed that all people go through a series of eight stages. According to him, a person experiences a psychosocial crisis during each stage which could have a positive or negative outcome that may serve as a turning point for personality growth.

While studying his theory, it made me reminisce my past memories, the success and failure of my experiences that made me who I am today. My childhood was not a typical and cliché story of a normal kid. I was born with a clubfoot. Despite my condition, I was blessed with loving parents. I believe that I do not have a problem with my Trust vs. Mistrust stage for I was endowed more than I deserve. They made sure that I will be receiving adequate care and love. And so, they didn’t ignore my disability and treated me immediately. My Papa told me that when I was in my 3rd month, I started to receive bone transformation process, stretching and casting it until my foot becomes normal. Although it was cured, it still left a side effect on me. I cannot participate in strenuous activities and games unlike any child on my age because jumping, running, and long walks are a bit difficult for me. As a kid with little engagement in any physical activities, it made me weak and prone to different diseases. At the age of 5, I developed anemia and hospitals has been my playground. One year later, I started wearing eyeglasses as one of the aftermaths of it. Due to that, I started to think that I will never experience being a normal kid, one who can play anytime and anywhere she wanted. I started to feel shy and insecure to myself. In such a young age, I even came to the point when I ask myself why I am experiencing all of it.

During my school age, the Industry vs. Inferiority stage, bullying added to my childhood dilemma. Before, wearing glasses while you are still young seems weird for others. For that reason, my classmates started to tease me causing me to isolate myself from them. I made friends but eventually, they will leave me because they are afraid to be bullied too. That experience lasted until my 4th year in elementary and worse, it triggered my inferiority complex. However, my family and teachers take actions quickly. My parents taught me to draw closer to Him and ask for his guidance in everything I do. They enlightened me to have faith in my abilities and knowledge. They inculcated to me to love myself more than anything. I didn’t excel in physical activities but, I find my way through the academic field. When I was in Grade 5, I started to participate in quiz bees, math contests, and even listed as one of the honor rolls. At that time, I remember myself doesn’t even believe in what is happening. I can’t imagine how my life turned upside down in just a blink of an eye. The positive feedbacks of my classmates, teachers, and my family motivated me a lot to achieve more. Even though I didn’t ask to graduate with honor, God gave it to me. Until in high school, I brought this attitude with me. I keep on reminding myself that I may be lacking in some aspect, but I can still excel in my chosen field. Now, I always think that whatever I do, it is for the best of me. That truly helps me.

You might think that I experienced a horrible childhood. But as for me, I treated it as an avenue of development. I didn’t see it as a hindrance but an opportunity to nurture my personality growth. Although there are conflicts while I am growing, I know that it is part of me and I have to deal with it successfully. I am grateful to my parents, classmates, friends, and teachers who stood by me during my trying times. They didn’t give up on me even when I myself is on the edge of admitting my downfall. Their encouraging words lift my spirit and mind to look at the brighter side of life. In the future, I will be an inspiring teacher too to my students. I will make sure that anyone will not be left behind. Furthermore, there are lots of lessons I have learned from these. Among all of them, the lesson I cannot forget is to love myself first for I believe that loving myself is the very first step of growing as a person. During my lowest time, I remind myself with this quote from my favorite boy group during their UN speech, “I have come to love myself for who I am, for who I was, and for who I hope to become.” If you are still reading up to this, I want to remind you too that we are already incredibly full of goodness. All we have to do is to realize it and start to honor ourselves, things will surely change. I have understood that any change you and I strive for is no longer about fixing a broken and valueless self, it’s about acknowledging that we’re already bursting with goodness and we’re just looking to create more.