Two Men With Knives Stood On Either Side Of The Bed.

And as he placed the duvet cover over my face, in a kind, yet peculiar, manner, he whispered,"Shhh... It's okay. We are leaving now. We will leave, but stay quiet. Ok? Just Shhhhhh."

On April 17th, 2009, my mom and I were held up by two men with knives.

For a long time after the robbery, I was unaware of the effect it had had on me, but I now know that it was profound. I remember never being angry at the men who had invaded our home. I was just curious as to why they had done so. What had lead them to that point in their lives? Why did they believe that crime was their only option? Why did the man closest to me take off his mask when I said I couldn't hear him properly? Why did he reassure me they would never come back when they finally left? I knew that these men weren't inherently evil, nobody is. So, why do people commit crimes? In fact, why does anyone do anything that they do?

LESSON 2: THE ENVIRONMENT WE GROW UP IN, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE FIND OURSELVES IN THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES, SHAPE WHO WE ARE AND SHAPE THE CHOICES WE MAKE. THINK ABOUT THAT BEFORE JUDGING SOMEONE ELSE - “PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES.