The first paragraph of this passage introduces the main topic of the essay, which is the importance of self-reflection. The author then provides a personal anecdote to illustrate this point, describing how they learned the value of self-reflection through a challenging experience. The author then concludes by suggesting that self-reflection is a skill that can be cultivated and that it can lead to a more fulfilling life. What is the most likely reason the writer uses a personal anecdote to illustrate their point?

The author's use of a personal anecdote in the second paragraph serves primarily to