In the
vagueness of this worldly order, people have often materialized the word
achievement into ranks, medals, certificates, awards and stages. And it was
what my mind had been filled up with. It’s not like I am not fond of it or I
don’t have any. It's only like I don’t really accept them as my achievements.
Transcending those beliefs, achievements for me have always been the symbol of
one’s completeness; each of them adding to what he earlier was to declare a
perfect shape. A man’s physical structure is filled out physically at his
birth, but what the true completeness is the purity of soul that he seeks
throughout his life, which seems impossible to obtain without good virtues and
life skills. And winning them is what I call the true achievement.
I was only
ten when I was sent away to a hostel. Till then mom and dad were the ones to
steer me. Like many others, I still had weaknesses and shortcomings. I, who
feared the outer world so much, had to stand now on my own; I had to change.
Away from home, I obviously had hard times teaching myself the things I could
hardly get in those textbooks. I had to build up my guts to overcome my fear
and endure every hardship I had to go through in life. I had to learn to
believe in myself and never give up. I had to work hard. Discipline, which I
say- I inherited from my parents, along with my self-motivation, was the most
and only helpful tools I had, to bring about the change.
Struggling
hard to find so-called achievements such as the first rank in class, medals and
certificates; it’s what everyone does and I was not an exception. But what I
truly urged all those years were the qualities that would shape me; make my own
identity. Nobility, hard work, courage, spirituality, a passionate dream,
positive vibes and life skills were all I always looked up to. Of course,
perfecting all these was far beyond my reach. It was as if a child attempting
to touch the sky standing on solid ground. Nevertheless, I always believed in
the existence of horizons. Every time I pushed myself, ‘I am almost there, a
little more to go.” And it turned out to be rewarding. It took me a while since
I had to grow up into a man with the virtues and life skills I dreamed of and
people around have started recognizing me. It may sound outrageous for a twenty
years boy to call himself a man. But I made the bold move to call myself so;
for I have gained the most noteworthy treasure to be a man, the most
significant accomplishment of my liveliness.
