Burlington High School
Burlington, Kansas
Teacher: Devra Parker
A Life Philosophy: Excellence
By Sara Jones
12th Grade
Michael J. Fox had everything that anybody could ask for in his life. He was one of the most successful and beloved actors of his time and seemed to have everything else together. The money was flowing in and his family life was prosperous. That is why the nation was shocked in 1998 when this outstanding man announced that he had been fighting Parkinson’s disease for seven years. While he was dealing with the horrible disease, he had shown no sign of weakness. Fox’s personal excellence was still revealed with every word spoken and brilliant smile flashed. Now that he has accepted his fate, he’s working to find a cure that will help him as well as others. I believe this actor is an exceptional example of excellence. Fox once said, “I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for, perfection is God’s business.” Even though we make mistakes, this quote sets the bar in declaring that every single one of us should strive for excellence despite any hindrances.
It is difficult to define excellence flawlessly seeing as there are numerous aspects of this word. One can go above and beyond the average in a career, religion, academics, and many others. Yet, when I think of excellence, I think of putting one’s full effort into an act to be the best that he or she can. Not only must one achieve personal excellence to be recognized, but the individual must also stand out among others. It may seem a fairly simple concept to comprehend, but it is a very complicated, time-consuming quality to acquire.
I have been taught since pre-school that nothing but my best is acceptable, and that is now my life philosophy. My parents didn’t pressure me to be number one, but instead inspired me to put forth all my effort. They stimulated an inner desire for that amazing fulfillment. Since then, I have aimed to do all I can to be my finest. In the field of academics, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA as number one in my class. I also scored a 31 on my ACT. Aside from classes, my schedule is full of extracurricular activities. Also, my leadership skills have greatly improved in my high school years, as I now hold five leadership positions and am a co-captain of our varsity volleyball team. Beyond school, I try to have a good social life. Being popular isn’t the right goal to have at all, but the point is to be well mannered and show others that I deserve their trust and friendship. These efforts recently paid off when I was crowned Homecoming Queen. I may appear to have it all together, but I have my own tribulations to overcome. Panic Disorder is my obstacle everyday, but I don’t let it get me down. Instead of giving in to weaknesses, we must push them aside and move on.
Not only do individuals experience times of strife, but our country does also. When September 11th hit, it was the shock of a lifetime. Who could have imagined that terrorists would strike so hard to harm so many innocent persons? Even though we were hurt, Americans rose to the occasion and did all they could to help. Firefighters risked their lives, some losing that fight, to help the wounded. They fought for hours on end until pure exhaustion set in. Residents crowded around televisions and gathered in churches praying for everyone. Our president began developing his plan to help our country grieve and find the atrocious culprits to punish them. The attack on our Twin Towers brought out the best example of excellence I believe our country has shown at a specific time in decades.
Beyond a certain event, the United States government shows excellence every day with our checks and balances system. To have this sort of arrangement ensures justice to the maximum that we can obtain. We could settle for less, but that just wouldn’t work. Each branch has its own job and other branches to check on; for example, the legislative branch is in charge of making our laws. It also checks on the executive branch by being able to impeach the president if he participates in an irresponsible act. With this lookout system, we are much closer to perfection than other countries.
When discussing whether or not America has excellence, we must also look at society as a whole, which is a different story. The majority of our population has become so lax in its lifestyle that it is disturbing. Generations seem to be losing morals and values as time progresses. Divorce and drugs are becoming far too common and acceptable. Some justify this by saying that times change, well, maybe they shouldn’t. Traditional ways seem much closer to merit than some ways that are present now. I admit that times are more fast-paced in the 21st Century, but, to me, that is just an excuse. Basic principles, such as family life, must not conform to the times. If parents and other adults focus on teaching motivation and goodness, their children will grow up with much superior mindsets in life.
Although excellence may seem to be fading with time, I don’t think that it will ever be totally terminated. There will always be those individuals or organizations that are motivated in some way to go beyond what is expected. If one looks close enough, there is brilliance in too many Americans to count throughout our great country. I don’t see any time in the future that the United States, as a world superpower, would not do its best to be all that it can be and help others, even though not all will have the same judgments. We have been excellent for generations and will remain so for years to come.
Answers To Questions Re: Required Reading
Q1- Am I really where I want to be?
I am extremely pleased with where I am right now in my life. I’m a senior with a 4.0 Cumulative GPA and have been accepted to my choice university. Over the past couple years, I have become much more involved in clubs and now hold five leadership positions. I am also a captain for the varsity volleyball team. Aside from school, my family and social lives are incredible. I couldn’t ask for more.
Q2- Am I moving in the direction that will enable me to make the greatest contribution?
I feel that I am definitely on the right path to making a contribution. I am striving with great effort to become all that I can be for myself and for society. My plans are to maintain high grades through college and move on to law school. Being a lawyer will give me a chance to battle for justice in our country. There are so many corrupt views coming up in our society, and I want the chance to fight for what is right. I also intend to raise wonderful children, which is a great contribution in itself to our world. More focus needs to be on family life, which I will concentrate on.
Q3- If I could achieve my highest goals, what would my accomplishments look like?
If I achieve my highest goals, I will graduate from both high school and college with a 4.0 GPA. I will get into a prestigious law school and also be very successful there. In the career field, I’ll be known for my wit and intelligence. My career as an attorney will be balanced well with my personal life. I will make sufficient time for my husband and children and have an extremely strong relationship with them. I hope to be that woman that others can look up to for having a great career, exceptional family, and strong faith in God.
Q4- Do I recognize excellence and search it out or do I find mediocre acceptable and am willing to settle?
I definitely do recognize excellence and try to seek it in all aspects that I can. Obviously I am a hard worker, since I have maintained straight A’s all through school. A “B” just isn’t acceptable to me. I have incredibly high goals for myself in all facets of life, and do not feel fulfilled unless I meet those goals. Settling for less than the best isn’t an option.
Q5- Do I seek out people, books, movies and other things that encourage me to be the best I can be?
Of course, I’m a teenager, so that is not going to happen at all points in time, but I feel that I do this pretty consistently. I try to associate myself with positive people that also have high goals for themselves and who believe in me. This way they can help keep me on the right track. I’ve had to make some very difficult decisions when it came to losing friends who were making bad choices. Despite the rough times, I have been very strong in that. I love to read and do it every chance I get. It is hard to find time, because I have a very hectic schedule. Last year I planned out a list of college-bound classic books to read and completed my goal. I fully realize that reading increases ones knowledge and vocabulary. It is an important aspect in maturity. When it comes to other sources of media, I try to keep up on international as well as national news. It is best to always be informed of what is going on around us, which will help us make better decisions.
Q6- Do I recognize the best in others?
This is something I have really struggled with in my life. I feel that I have a sort of intuitiveness when I meet people to know what they are like. This is hard to manage, because I can pick out weaknesses in one so fast and easily. However, when I catch myself doing it, I realize that I am in a negative mood. To recognize the best in others, one must have a positive outlook. I have worked to be like that and am improving everyday, but there is still more that can be done on my part.
Time Article
Q7- Do you agree with Morrow (paragraph seven) that: "Excellence demands standards. It does not usually flourish in the midst of rapid, hectic change. This century’s sheer velocity has subverted the principle of excellence; a culture must be able to catch its breath."
I agree with Morrow to some extent. It is harder to maintain excellence when the world is so fast-paced, because then it is the time that we worry about instead of quality. Yet, I do believe that excellence shows itself in change. Just because there is a rapid, hectic transformation, doesn’t mean that nobody will take the time and effort to strive for that. Saying that will not take place is too much of a generalization.
Q8- Interpret this quote from paragraph nine: "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion."
I believe this means pity to those who do not have ambition. One should not be happy just sitting back and relaxing all the time. Work means you get results, which is what we all must do. Don’t just settle for what you have, but strive for more.
Q9- Argue pro and con Morrow's contention that "Americans not yet successful (the struggling, the underclass) are apt to aim at ease, not excellence"?
The underclass individuals I agree are more likely to strive for ease. They have had to work so much just to have the essentials in life, that once that is reached, they will feel comfortable there. However, that is not true in all cases. So many people in our country have worked themselves up from the very bottom to achieve excellence. If we put that stereotype on the underclass citizens, they will accept it even more. We must push our society as a whole to achieve excellence.
Q10- Explain what Morrow means when he says (A) "the confusion contaminates character and disables ambition." Do you agree?
One’s true character shows through his or her work ethic. When deciding whether to settle or push yourself more, it is showing your true colors. If one decides to settle, that is a shortcoming in character, because there is so much better out there. It also closes off ambition. Obviously, one must have that quality to want more.
Q11- Argue pro and con the effect of over stimulation and under stimulation as discussed in paragraph 10.
Today we are over stimulated, and there is so much going on in the world that it is hard to stay focused on achieving excellence. However, at least there are tasks out there that keep us busy and going. In the case of under stimulation, it seems to be more relaxed. Excellence is not such a difficult task, because there is free time to recollect thoughts and ideas. Yet the downfall of this situation is that some can get caught up in this easy lifestyle.
Q12- Contrast practical excellence with metaphysical excellence as used in Morrow's last paragraph.
Practical excellence refers to physical objects, such as documents, foods, or buildings, which are high above our own standards. Those may be very profitable in life, but they can be destroyed easily. Excellence should really be metaphysical, or within oneself. This way it cannot be touched and can be carried on forever. The sense of achieving excellence is one like no other experienced. The joy that it brings should be enough to yearn for it.
Quotations from Key 32 found at the end of your required reading
Q13- Copy and interpret your two favorite quotes. Explain why you chose them.
We should make a special effort to be that which we want others to think we are. We must do our duties, complete our tasks, be kind and honest. "It is not alone what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." - Moliere (1622-1673)
This quote really inspires me to look at myself from the outside to try to recognize how others view me. When I realize that others are always going to be taking note of what I do, it makes me want to be more responsible and just at all times. Not only should we be careful with the choices of certain acts we decide to take part in, but we must show sound judgment in what we do not participate in also. If a person does not complete a task that he or she was responsible for, that will be remembered just as much, if not more, as the great one achieved before. Remembering this quote can help me follow through with everyday life.
Our lives are only as good as we decide to make them. We should make short and long range plans and then follow them through, reviewing them as we go. It is our design and determination that decide our destiny, and this is our responsibility. When things are not right, we should blame nobody, for that only dodges the problems that lie within us and causes us to fail again next time. Examine your own actions and decide how things will be.
These words bring in the
factor of self-motivation. It is better to create goals in life, so I know
what I am working for. If those goals need to be changed, that is alright.
We must all create our own plan, which is our life. Nobody else is
responsible for what we do, so we must look within when something goes wrong.
If we change what caused the problem, hopefully it will not happen again. I
love this quote, because it is really how I try to live. I have my life very
much planned out, and when something does go wrong, I must learn to not tend
to blame outside factors, but look within myself for a solution.