This I Believe:
THE importance of a moment
Through this assignment, we explored a form of self-understanding by trying to identity the beliefs to which we hold ourselves. Based on the radio forum by Edward Murrow in the 1950s, the goal of this essay series has not veered far from its original purpose: taking a careful look at our own values and seeing how they factor into our contributions to the world. This paper is just as much of an analysis of where we want to be as it is of where we are.
Every child grows up thinking that his or her parents are the greatest people in the world. My dad never wanted me to be fooled: he told me that he struggled on tests throughout school, slacked in college, and failed to make it big in cricket, the Indian equivalent of pursuing professional football. He realized his shortcomings, but realized that his greatest shortcomings could become his most unique qualities, an idea that he and my mother have fostered in me since I was a child. The following essay is dedicated to my parents, for showing me that belief does not lie solely in action and ability, but in attitude and perspective.
I believe in thinking that every moment is the most important moment in the world. If we do not foster enthusiasm for connecting the dots, we will never be able to appreciate the big picture. A web of interlaced thoughts and pursuits form when we are willing to look at each interwoven fiber, and throughout this growing web we are bound to gain insight, which fuels learning and allows us to discover brilliance out of complete chaos.
It was not until coming to college that I learned the true definition of living in the moment and learning from a variety of people. Within the first few days, I met students who continue to influence me on a daily basis in the most wonderful ways. The walls of my dorm building alone hold students fantastic in their own rights, but it’s the quirks that they share that make them extraordinary: the chemical engineer who takes immense pride in being Canadian, the girl who knows just as much about makeup as she does about racial privilege, the volunteer EMT whose head snaps towards the sound of any siren, the second degree black belt who studies linear algebra when she isn't busy learning Japanese. It is the people that surround us that make every moment thoroughly enjoyable by their personalities, whether they be crazy and loud or shy yet silly, nonchalant but kind or artistic and sweet. Most possess all of these characteristics in some proportion, but seeing what brings out each part of their personas is what makes every moment memorable. These are the people and experiences, among many others known or waiting to be explored, that I have dedicated my life to in hopes that in return I can benefit their lives to the best of my abilities.
I credit my parents for this perspective: growing up, they reminded my brother and I of the harsh reality of living in a country where we would be considered the minority, no matter how we pronounced our w’s or how many hamburgers we consumed. Despite the treatment of others, we could always approach every situation with genuine altruism and interest. They told us that even in times where we feel unimportant, something was going on that we could appreciate. It is the individual stories and perspectives that makes us significant in this world, and simply lending an ear to others serves as a portal to places unexplored or tragically forgotten. When we engage in the momentous importance of each syllable uttered by others, they string together to form a profound tale that could change us for the better. Each stranger has a story to share, and every moment offers a lesson if we invest ourselves with compassion, enthusiasm and understanding.
Every child grows up thinking that his or her parents are the greatest people in the world. My dad never wanted me to be fooled: he told me that he struggled on tests throughout school, slacked in college, and failed to make it big in cricket, the Indian equivalent of pursuing professional football. He realized his shortcomings, but realized that his greatest shortcomings could become his most unique qualities, an idea that he and my mother have fostered in me since I was a child. The following essay is dedicated to my parents, for showing me that belief does not lie solely in action and ability, but in attitude and perspective.
I believe in thinking that every moment is the most important moment in the world. If we do not foster enthusiasm for connecting the dots, we will never be able to appreciate the big picture. A web of interlaced thoughts and pursuits form when we are willing to look at each interwoven fiber, and throughout this growing web we are bound to gain insight, which fuels learning and allows us to discover brilliance out of complete chaos.
It was not until coming to college that I learned the true definition of living in the moment and learning from a variety of people. Within the first few days, I met students who continue to influence me on a daily basis in the most wonderful ways. The walls of my dorm building alone hold students fantastic in their own rights, but it’s the quirks that they share that make them extraordinary: the chemical engineer who takes immense pride in being Canadian, the girl who knows just as much about makeup as she does about racial privilege, the volunteer EMT whose head snaps towards the sound of any siren, the second degree black belt who studies linear algebra when she isn't busy learning Japanese. It is the people that surround us that make every moment thoroughly enjoyable by their personalities, whether they be crazy and loud or shy yet silly, nonchalant but kind or artistic and sweet. Most possess all of these characteristics in some proportion, but seeing what brings out each part of their personas is what makes every moment memorable. These are the people and experiences, among many others known or waiting to be explored, that I have dedicated my life to in hopes that in return I can benefit their lives to the best of my abilities.
I credit my parents for this perspective: growing up, they reminded my brother and I of the harsh reality of living in a country where we would be considered the minority, no matter how we pronounced our w’s or how many hamburgers we consumed. Despite the treatment of others, we could always approach every situation with genuine altruism and interest. They told us that even in times where we feel unimportant, something was going on that we could appreciate. It is the individual stories and perspectives that makes us significant in this world, and simply lending an ear to others serves as a portal to places unexplored or tragically forgotten. When we engage in the momentous importance of each syllable uttered by others, they string together to form a profound tale that could change us for the better. Each stranger has a story to share, and every moment offers a lesson if we invest ourselves with compassion, enthusiasm and understanding.