The BMW M2, controlled by my close friend, spun out of control on the twisty Palos Verdes Drive East Road and slammed into the hillside.

It then spun back to the right and regained control mere feet before tumbling over a steep cliff.

I urgently jumped out of the car and was met by the people there to witness the disaster. They all had the same look of surprise and terror on their faces after seeing such a horrific accident.

I paid no attention to those people.

In a state of haze and confusion, I rushed to my friend, who also came out unscathed, and made sure that he was uninjured.

When the police arrived, I was in shock.

The realization of what had just happened finally settled into my brain.

Seeing my life flash before me made me feel relief, happiness, and appreciation.

Those feelings felt foreign, though.

They were feelings I hadn’t come across for a long time after struggling with mental health issues for so long.

In the time leading up to the crash, I was at the lowest point in my life.

My baseball career had been wrapped up, and I watched my close friends move thousands of miles away.

I felt lost.

These occurrences brought forth feelings of depression and anxiety throughout my mind, worsening as each day passed.

I rejected the signs of depression and paid the price for it. I went from an A student to a C student in my senior year of high school and lost all motivation to pursue a higher education.

My parents knew this behavior wasn’t normal for me, so they sat me down and I told them what I was feeling. Exactly how I felt and what I was thinking.

I thought no one in my life would care if I was gone, nobody who would shed a tear at me.

Knowing the extent of my mental issues, I decided it was time to give therapy a try, but it was embarrassing to tell another person exactly how I felt.

Opening up became easier as time passed, but it didn’t feel like it was helping me improve.

The actual therapy happened on the day of the crash.

The crash led me to realize that not just my own life but every life is precious. It is neither earned nor guaranteed but instead gifted to each living being.

I thought I didn’t care about my life until it was almost stripped away. My strong thoughts of depression were starting to be replaced with a new way to live, practically characterized by happiness and motivation to do great things in my lifetime.

This guided me down a new path and gave me a new purpose, helping me change how I saw myself and the world around me. I was motivated to pursue my passion for sports media and give my all to academics.

Following the crash, I’ve attained the best grades I’ve ever had in school.

Being stuck in a cycle of depression made me hate school and even dread the thought of attending college.

Now, my mentality has flipped.

Campus life has become an environment that I enjoy.

The enjoyment of school has allowed me to meet new people and build friendships with individuals I wouldn’t have met before.

I cherish both old and new friendships.

Through my experience, I understand that any of my close companions can be taken from me at any given moment.

Learning to love the people around me instead of pushing them away created stronger bonds and unforgettable memories that will remain with me until I stare death in the face again.

The car wreck that I was involved in molded me into a better person in all aspects.

I’ve treated everyone respectfully and tried to empathize with those around me.

Through my tribulations, I know that everyone struggles behind the scenes, no matter how they appear in public. I do not judge and actively listen to validate my feelings.

Multiple times, people have told me I’m the “most likable” person they know. I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d achieve that title, and I’ll gladly wear it like a badge of honor.

Life is worth living and should not be taken for granted.

It took a life-changing car crash for me to grasp that frame of mind, but I didn’t give up on myself and fought for my mental health.

Somehow, I’m thankful that I experienced such a devastating moment.

The car may have been totaled, but my perception and attitude have that new car smell.