Could you get through life alone?

Everyone likes to think they are independent. We all think we have full control over our lives. We are the ones who ultimately make the decisions in our lives and can do what we wish. We can be successful on our own. However, I do not believe people are fully independent. The Power of One expresses the idea that humans need other people to help them grow and develop into the person they are supposed to become. The book goes through the life of Peekay from his childhood to early adulthood. Children learn from everything around them, especially the people closest to them. Peekay acquired a trait from each person he encountered in his life. These traits built him into the young man we met at the end of the novel. Question 36 for the Socratic Seminar asked if the negative influences (his mother, Mevrou, the Judge, and Sergeant Borman) or positive influences (Nanny, Inkosi Inkosikazi, Hoppie, Doc, and Geel Piet) had a larger impact on Peekay. I believe that both are equally important. The lessons you learn from the people in your life who treat you poorly or are difficult to deal with leave have as much of an impact on your life as those who you enjoy interacting with. The Judge made Peekay strong emotionally, mentally, and physically. The Judge pushed Peekay to his limits. Through this, Peekay learned he could do things he never thought possible. Doc helped Peekay develop more courage and acted as a supporter for Peekay. Without Doc, Peekay wouldn't have left his comfort zone to conduct the concert. In my own life, I need that supporter. I would never break out of my comfort zone if it weren't for the support of my friends and family. I always doubt them but they usually end up being right. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have auditioned for choral ensemble or ran for student council president. I am thankful for these influences in my life. All of the influences I have discussed so far have had positive effects. This will not always be the case. The Judge, even though he made Peekay strong, really crushed Peekay's self-esteem. Friends can push you to do things you don't want to do and may end up regretting. I believe that we all need a support group in our lives. We need a group of people that we can rely on to always be there for us. However, we just need to watch how much control we give them. You ultimately control your own life and do deserve credit for your accomplishments. Just don't forget the people that helped you along the way. Without these people, you wouldn't be the same.