I myself, used to desire my life to run smoothly and flawlessly; without problems, without worries. When I was in my early adolescence, I have always dreamed for a perfect teenage life with excellent results throughout the studies, amazing relationships with a huge circle of friends, and also all the expensive brands of clothes and goods. Nonetheless, growing up had really showed me that life is not at all about perfections and flawlessness. Joseph Epstein had mentioned in his essay, The Virtues of Ambition, “What life does with our dreams and expectations cannot, of course, be predicted,” (31).Life has always been about strings of barriers and obstacles for me to face, and I would never know what will come before me.
I realized that as I go through these phases, it actually rewards me with true values of living. As students, we must have always dreamed to get good grades in our studies and be the best student among others. However, as we delve deeper into school life, getting good grades is never as easy as it sounds. When I was a high school student, it had been very difficult for me in dealing with stress and time management, which eventually affected my studies.Having to cope with too many subjects in a time constraining environment was definitely challenging, especially when I was in a boarding school.
Sometimes I did think that life would be easier; that we would not be dwelled with stress if ambitions and success do not exist, as what Joseph Epstein quoted in his essay, “Anxiety would be extinct. Time would stretch on and on, with ambition long departed from the human heart,” (33). Besides that, competitions as well almost never ceased among the students. My moments had been depressing, as I had to compete for the top rank with many brighter students than me.
Nevertheless, after years of experience, I realized that it was not about achieving great success. Without anxiety, life would not be as interesting as it is now. Plus, failing to get the top ranking does not mean we are unsuccessful. Pete Hamill quoted in his essay, Winning Isn’t Everything that “A man can lose but still win. And the point of competition in sports is an old and not very fashionable one: it builds character,” (26). Dreaming to succeed in my studies and trying hard to achieve it had really built better and stronger characters in me, and I think that is what’s important in life.
Another thing that we usually dreamed of is having good relationships with people. As we grow up, many people will gradually evolve in our life story. When it comes to people, surely we would dream to make huge circle of friends, and to be loved and respected by them as well as everyone around us. Then again, Pete Hamill had stated in his article, “Viewed that way, a marriage, or any relationship with human being, is an ongoing struggle,” (27). Relationships with people in real life, especially those with family and friends, are very difficult to deal with.
In my issue, having seven siblings was always full of arguments and hostility. As I enter adulthood however, I learned to respect and appreciate them even more, as they are the ones who have given me lifelong supports through thick and thin. In addition, besides family, friends are also important people in life. But to me, a circle of friends that is too big can be such nuisance as well. People, friends even, take advantages, and they judge each other with the most bewildering perspectives.Still, I do believe that true friends exist; that is why I learned to avoid judging others to keep good relationships with my friends.
I also do not take offence about what others have judged about me, as I choose to have my own stance of who I wanted to be: myself. Joseph Epstein had stated in his essay, “But no matter how indifferent the universe may be to our choices and decisions, these choices and decisions are ours to make,” (33). Besides that, materialism is also one of the things that we all frequently desired for in our lives.People always expect to gain big money, and to have all the luxuries in the world the easy way. However, life is never that simple, because in the matter of gaining money is where the ultimate obstacle comes in life. From my experience, working and labouring was the only option for me in finding money.
Having to encounter all the tedious and exhausting duties was the most challenging responsibilities that I had to carry. Then again, encountering them had eventually taught me valuable morals of life, in terms of perseverance and self-respect.On the other hand, having excessive material goods can also be dangerous. I have to say that I agree with what Joseph Epstein had stated, “Certainly people do not seem less interested in success and its accoutrements now than formerly,” (32). He emphasizes that people nowadays are more demanding in terms of material wealth.
It is also proved by my own observation, where parents these days focus too much on their career, without paying attention to their children’s needs.That is why, from this early age, I am learning to restrain myself from getting entangled with materialistic cravings and bsessions, and use the money that I have gained for necessary purposes only. The two articles that I have read and quoted earlier really portray my experiences in growing up. ‘The Virtues of Ambition’ by Joseph Epstein discussed about achieving dreams and ambitions, while ‘Winning Isn’t Everything’ by Pete Hamill discussed about not giving up after failing. Of course, it is not a crime to have big dreams in life, but expect for the worst, as we will never know what would happen in the next minute. Plus, failing also is good for us, as it teaches valuable lessons in life.
Whatever happens, life must go on.
