My cultural background gave me a strong foundation to establish my sense of self as a child. Each aspect of my upbringing has been tied together with the extensive fabric of my cultural heritage, from the customs that have been passed down through the years like what we eat who we worship and what type of people we are to the traditions that marked our daily existence. Strong ties to my heritage, created by the customs and rituals that dominate our lives, are the foundation of my cultural identity. Whether it is participating in religious rituals or celebrating cultural festivals like eater or Christmas , these group activities act as fundamentals connecting us to our common history and giving us a feeling of continuity and identity in a world that is always changing. When celabrting these rituals we as a family come closer together , we learn more about our past and how our ancestors did it to how we are doing it now. Every aspect in our life changes us but it is about the people around you that changes those thing. In addition, I use my cultural identity as an image through which to view and interact with the world. It gives me a set of morals and principles that guides my perspective on the world and how I relate to other people , it teaches me the right and wrongs. My identity is a work in progress, influenced by the many habits and life events that make up my identity. I cherish the diversity of my cultural background and approach life's challenges with pride and respect for the variety of humankind. I am reminded when I explore further into my identity that we can discover shared values and people who share the same values as we do and that there are also people that we will differ from. 

June kotze

50486217Our relationships are the bright colors that paint the canvas of our lives in the combination of life. The complex variety of our journey gains depth, texture, and significance from each connection. I have learned to value the wide range of people in my inner circle who add to the harmony of my life. But the real secret to these connections, which I have discovered, lies in an awareness of reciprocity.First, there are those that resemble heavenly bodies and emit both warmth and light in equal amounts. These people are easy examples of reciprocity; they act in a way that reflects the consideration and support they receive. They firmly support me through good times and bad, providing comfort, humor, and company. Mutual respect, trust, and a sincere wish to see each other succeed are the foundations of our relationship. We are grateful for all acts of kindness, and our relationship gets stronger with each experience we have in common, its people who will do anything for you the people that you go to when you need advice and love from for examples ,my mother and my best friend.On the other hand, there are people who are like passing clouds; they leave brief shadows on my life's canvas. Even if our conversations are short or infrequent, they still leave a lasting impact. In these types of relationships, reciprocity could take a different form, with short bursts of connection instead of consistent support. But even in their briefness, these interactions add value to my journey by providing fresh viewpoints, amusing conversations, or unexpected kindness, they are the people you don't see much but it is a conversation you wont forget.On the other hand, some people are like the strong limbs of a tree; they provide constant stability and stability during life's storms. They are the appearance of reciprocity because of their constant presence and dependability. They consistently show their commitment to our relationship by being kind and supportive, whether it is by lending a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on, or useful assistance when we need it. The consistency and dependability of their presence in my life is a better indicator of their reciprocity than large gestures.But amongst the rainbow of ties, there are also relationships that are unbalanced and chaotic. These people might be more takers than givers, motivated more by self-interest than by true empathy or reciprocity. Under such circumstances, negotiating the complicated issue of reciprocity turns into a delicate dance that calls for boundaries, self-awareness, and occasionally the guts to leave unhealthy relationships in search of healthier ones, they are the kind of people that likes to take your shine away. To sum up, the variety of connections that make up my inner circle is evidence of the depth of human connection. They are all different colors in the combination of my life, whether they are stars, passing clouds, solid branches, or irregular shadows. In order to embrace the beauty of connection in all of its varied forms, we make together the threads of reciprocity trust, support, and understanding that make up the fabric of our shared journey.

J kotze 50486217

7:30 am,the soft rays and sunlight waking me up while hearing my alarm in the background, I always yawn as soon as i wake up still feeling tired. I usually lay in bed for another 30 minutes and go through my phone and when i finally got the motivation to get up i make myself a cup of coffee and i made myself some bacon and eggs feeling much more awake and happy after i have eaten.I then go and take an ice cold shower to get my day started and to feel refreched, when i finished it took me about 15 minutes to pick a cute but comfy outfit.As the world comes to life outside i start walking to class and meet up with everyone,as the day unfolds and it turns afternoon i get in bed to take a 2 hour nap.i woke up at about 3pm and decided i wanted to go for a jog which usually never happens but i felt productive,and i felt so good afterAss the sun dimms down i shower and get ready for the night,i read my Bible and said my prayer before getting into bed. I open my book and read for about 2 hours because i get so lost in a romance book, when i finally finished i put on ''the big bang theory'' and dozed off into a good night sleep.

J,Kotze 50486217

Let any of us step into any room, and within moments, our minds starts to create images eabout the people around us they form an opinion about people they have never even met.

Deb Caletti said "Stereotypes are fast and easy, but they are lies, and the truth takes its time."

We create our own scenarios about people and categorizing people or groups just by looking at there appearance or generalizations. Stereotypes can be based on the  factors such as race, gender, age, , religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or work status which usually lead to unfair judgement. Gender stereotyping is a very good example ;by saying only women are allowed to cry and that women are more likely to be emotional while men should never cry and be more stronger.

Body Size Stereotypes- you have to be skinny but if you are too skinny you are sick saying a women must look the way a man wants them to look.

When being a child stereotyping was always about saying "pink is for girls and blue is for boys" where today we see boys and girls wearing both of that colours.

When is it going to stop is a big question? The better we understand the effects of stereotypes for various groups in society, the better we can learn and inform efforts to reduce stereotypes and stop people from their negative outcomes.  it is so important that we, as individuals and a society, work toward increasing awareness and reducing the  amount of stereotypes that goes on from day to day.

In conclusion, stereotypes infleunces our behaviors in a subtle yet significant ways, but we can change that by being better we can move towards a more welcoming and understanding world.