The feline family is known for its quiet yet domineering natures. The cheetah is especially built for speed, elegance and grace. The animal is unique in the fact that its body is leaner and smaller than other large cats. I feel connected to this animal due to the keen senses that I proudly possess. The animal was literally built for speed running up to 70 mph, it is the fastest land animal. Running has been a passion of mine since my realization that it is the best emotional outlet I have besides my music. The cheetah is also self-less, a quality that I know I possess since my heart is very family oriented. A mother cheetah has been known to starve just to feed her young. Though the cheetah does not have the physically aggressive means like others in the cat family, the mother is nonetheless protective and caring. I am the type of person that has the same qualities. I believe that one should never underestimate someone due to physical appearance because I myself pack a punch in a petite frame. I want others to know me for my emotional and physical strength; strength I have acquired for the people I care about. I myself am not aggressive until push comes to shove. The cheetah’s habitat is that of warm climates. Though I grew up on Long Island and have had my fair share of the four seasons, I was born in the Philippines and would much rather prefer the soft warmth of the sun any day. The Cheetah is patient; a virtue that I value in myself greatly. And because of its built for speed, it has strong heart. I would like to apply this to myself in a literal and figurative form. I run to keep myself healthy. But I treasure more having the strength of heart in a figurative sense because I have learned to love, a human gift that is not to be taken lightly. Love is bittersweet. For me, love is the giving of oneself to another. And it is in the quality of love that I find the most beauty and satisfaction. My strength of heart in love is what makes my life worthwhile.