A glimpse into the past

I am home this holiday season. Much of the time has been spent catching up on non-career related things and that includes avoiding the books and doing more fun things. I'll give more details in another post. Anyway, I spent some time looking for an old English essay that I wrote in OAC. This essay was one of the first essays that we had to write during that year and I remember it because it was a personal essay, not some book report or poem analysis. Although I do admire the written language and those who choose it as a life-long career, English was never close to being my favourite subject.

After a few hours of trying to track down my old English notes (yes, remarkably I keep all of my old school work), I finally found it. I thought that I should find this essay because it was written six years ago when I was in high school, and sometimes I feel like I was a big dumb-ass in high school. However, I do think that this essay was rather poignant and an interesting personal reflection. Given that I am in a period of uncertainty in my life, I wanted to see how much I had changed in six years, but instead, I found that deep down I am still the same.

This essay was inspired by another essay that we had read in class called "Three Passions." I remember this because when my teacher read my essay aloud to the class she made a snide remark, "this essay was overall well-written and succinct but it lacks some creativity in the title." My essay was entitled "My Three Passions" haha! And since it is short, I am going to reproduce it in this entry:

My Three Passions

September 11, 2000

Three passions play distinct and integral roles in my life. The gaining of acceptance, the constant effort for self-improvement and the desire for playing and watching sports are irreplaceable aspects in my existence. If these passions should ever cease to exist, like fine and intricate threads, they would unravel the weave of my individuality.

I have tried to gain acceptance from three places. First and foremost, I yearn for the approving nod of my family, for it gives me satisfaction of immeasurable and priceless value. Secondly, I seek acceptance from my friends. The acceptance that I seek is not in the sense of popularity, but for the meaningfulness of a friendship - in that my friends accept me for who I am and they are grateful for what I have to offer. Finally, I have tried to gain acceptance from myself, for I am my harshest critic. Acceptance lends great rewards to human emotion. When gained through hard work, it can be the most fulfilling feeling in the world.

In order to feel accepted, one must be the best he or she can be. As I am far from the ideal that I hold myself to become, self-improvement is a continuous priority. My aspirations for re-invention and skill addition are fueled by the respect that I have of the high talents of others. I admire the writer who has the gift and ability to use the perfect word to express an exact emotion and can fill page after page with endless thought. I admire the speaker who can speak eloquently about the ancient Roman ruins, the endangered species of the world, and the intricacies of politics and economics. I admire the gymnast who can flip in the air with effortless precision. I admire the psychologist who understands another human mind as much as his or her own. Finally, I admire the artist who can capture a moment in time with bold creativity. All of these talents and many more, throughout my lifetime, will inspire me to become a greater person.

Although I appreciate and strive to achieve the goals of the people I look up to, I am proud to hold significant achievements of my own, especially in the area of sports. This is where my competitive edge, emotional fortitude, trained reflexes and strategic nature are tested and displayed. Athletics provide physical exercise, but equally so mental exercise. Involvement in sports, whether it is participating or spectating, is enjoyable and thrilling. I crave to play the sport, hit the shot down the line, and make the double play. It is the ultimate high.

These passions are my motivators - motivators that define who I am. I am this person today because of my passions and they will continue to define my life for years to come.

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Touche. Pictures will be posted soon.