The most driving force in my life is my unquenchable desire to understand the world around me. I have found that the only way to accomplish such a task is to view the world from as many different perspectives as possible. In an effort to do so, I have naturally found my two greatest passions to be traveling and economics. Both of these areas are multi-dimensional and, thus, challenging. They require me to think outside of the box, which gives me an outlet for creativity. It is from these two passions that I derive my interests, values, and passions.
It has been in my experience that people have come to great revelations about what is most important in life after reaching a new low. Fortunately, for me, I have found a less painful way to come to these revelations. Traveling has helped me separate that with which I cannot live and that which is superfluous. I am grateful that at such a young age I have a solid foundation from which I can branch into any direction while remaining stable.
Family and a select group of friends are the only things in which I feel I need to survive in life. Having realized this, I have adjusted my life in order to cater to these basic needs. In this sense, I ensure that I am accountable to those around me. In addition, my patience has never reached such a peak. The way I carry myself is completely different than the way in which I did before.
As I expand on later on in this portfolio, I spent four months in Lima, Peru. I thought I was going to save the world, but in reality it was I who was saved. No longer do I live my life in the way I think I should. Instead, I try to live by example. I love as deeply as I can and do that which makes me happy. Happiness, peacefulness, and quality of life is determined by the choices we make. Before going to Peru, I thought that selflessness was the key to life, but in reality, my happiness is the key to life.
I trust myself more than ever. I trust that I am a good person, that I was raised well, and that I want good things for people. I believe that people are inherently good. In this way, I strive to show others that they can be happy by making themselves happy. In fact, in my opinion, that is the only way to be truly happy.
As I learned in my freshman year Philosophy class, happiness is not a means to an end; it is the end. We live our lives – make the choices we make; do the things we do – as a means to that end. Therefore, it is really only by getting to know ourselves that we are able to accomplish a successful end. I strive everyday to know myself better and in that way, I believe I am the best I can be.
It has been in my experience that people have come to great revelations about what is most important in life after reaching a new low. Fortunately, for me, I have found a less painful way to come to these revelations. Traveling has helped me separate that with which I cannot live and that which is superfluous. I am grateful that at such a young age I have a solid foundation from which I can branch into any direction while remaining stable.
Family and a select group of friends are the only things in which I feel I need to survive in life. Having realized this, I have adjusted my life in order to cater to these basic needs. In this sense, I ensure that I am accountable to those around me. In addition, my patience has never reached such a peak. The way I carry myself is completely different than the way in which I did before.
As I expand on later on in this portfolio, I spent four months in Lima, Peru. I thought I was going to save the world, but in reality it was I who was saved. No longer do I live my life in the way I think I should. Instead, I try to live by example. I love as deeply as I can and do that which makes me happy. Happiness, peacefulness, and quality of life is determined by the choices we make. Before going to Peru, I thought that selflessness was the key to life, but in reality, my happiness is the key to life.
I trust myself more than ever. I trust that I am a good person, that I was raised well, and that I want good things for people. I believe that people are inherently good. In this way, I strive to show others that they can be happy by making themselves happy. In fact, in my opinion, that is the only way to be truly happy.
As I learned in my freshman year Philosophy class, happiness is not a means to an end; it is the end. We live our lives – make the choices we make; do the things we do – as a means to that end. Therefore, it is really only by getting to know ourselves that we are able to accomplish a successful end. I strive everyday to know myself better and in that way, I believe I am the best I can be.