While perusing recent photos for a picture that reminded me of New Year’s, one my Mom took while I was climbing at Whistler Core Climbing & Fitness Gym popped out at me.  I really enjoyed climbing there, and the picture helped me see an analogy in climbing for how we change our lives in making New Year’s resolutions.  We are reaching higher, grabbing another hold in the process of scaling new heights.

I’ve pondered what resolutions I will make for the upcoming year. How will they differ from those of the past?  How will I learn from the successes and failures of 2015, and aim for growth in response?  Though I have not settled on my resolutions yet, I have made a list of five personal priorities for 2016.

1. Do not let homework take over everything.

Don’t get me wrong, I value education and learning very highly.  However, I allowed myself too much time for assignments in proportion to the amount of time they should have taken.  I have so many exciting projects I want to work on and goals that I want to achieve: I want to learn new languages, read books, write, make videos, get stronger physically, and various other things.  Homework and daily responsibilities took up too much of my time last year, and I do not want to lose opportunities because I chose to spend too much time on schoolwork.

2. Do not overanalyze.

“I’ve been thinking too much, help me.” -Twenty One Pilots

Overanalyzing hindered me from completing many simple tasks quickly, especially writing essays for school.  I have a bad habit of giving too much thought to things that do not require it.  This year, I plan to give less deep thought to my everyday responsibilities and allocate it to more productive avenues.

3. Make a little progress every day.

In the process of learning Spanish, I came to realize that practicing for two hours one day a week is less effective than practicing for 20 minutes every day. Daily practice keeps the basics fresh in your brain, and it becomes easier to build on what you already know.  This same concept applies to learning many other skills.  If I consistently apply it to the other things I am working on, who knows what skills I will develop in the next year?

4. Be attentive to and considerate of others.

It’s very easy for me to let my work prevent me from being attentive to what’s going on with my siblings.  As this is my last year of high school before I head off to college, I want to prioritize spending time with them before I move.

5. Do not let fear stop you from doing what is right or good.

Okay, this is probably the most important item on this list.  People respond to this kind of fear by either submitting to it and letting it control them, or pushing past it, learning from experience, and developing into a stronger individual.

A couple months ago, I participated in a scholarship competition at The King’s College in New York City, which involved writing a 1500-word essay and delivering a speech before a group of judges.  This was a wholly new experience for me.  I was pretty nervous going into it, but the benefits of competing were so great, there was no way I would pass up the opportunity.  The four winners receive full-ride scholarships!  I thought at the very least, I would write one of my best essays and speeches yet.

While visiting the school, I met personable, ambitious students and scholars accomplishing incredible things.  One girl I met presently interns for author Eric Metaxas in the Empire State Building.  I talked with fellow high school students during the competition who understand the importance of hard work, and set high standards for the goals they want to achieve.

To sum up the experience in a single word: Inspiring.

The winners of the competition have not been announced.  However, I already know that facing the nerves was more than worth it.  The visit not only provided an opportunity to get scholarship money for college, it also allowed me to connect with dedicated people pursuing worthy goals.

My point in telling this story is simply this:  When one steps boldly forward, in spite of fear and opposition, in pursuit of a worthy ideal, that individual will do extraordinary things.

This is the kind of individual I aspire to be.  I cannot allow myself to live a life restrained by fear, but must press forward toward the things worth living for.  Each goal is a mountain, conquerable one reach at a time.

Happy New Year, everyone!  Seek to achieve great things this year and in the years to come!

 

 

 

Works Cited                                                                                                            Joseph, Tyler. Ride. Twenty One Pilots. Ricky Reed, 2015. Genius. Web. 03 Jan. 2016.