Rockridge
High School
Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Teacher: Barb Downey
Excellence in My Life, and the 21st Century
By Nathan Faith
12th grade
Striving for excellence can be a difficult task. With a society that does not
support excellence, the endeavor may have problems
such as motivation and
individual values. Because of problems like these, excellence in the
twenty-first century cannot be reached.
Efforts demand motivation, and the motivation to strive for excellence comes
from an individual. When a person who is not financially stable receives a
welfare check, is that any motivation to strive for excellence, or is that
more of an
incentive to stay the way he or she is? Society makes it difficult for
individuals to succeed. I know if I were receiving a check for welfare, I
would not want to work. If a person can forget his pride and take a free
supporting check from the government, it shows that the motivation can be lost
through society's programs.
Another aspect of excellence to be considered is the individual value of
excellence. Values vary significantly from person to person. What happens to
excellence when it is placed into a metaphorical hole? The hole seems to be
where America is taking its excellence. I believe that individuals have the
power
to strive for excellence but are influenced too much by America to do anything
about it. Things such as violence on to "wonderful" role models like the
cheating Pete Rose, sex figure Britney Spears, pop star Michael Jackson, and a
number of play station games have changed American emphasis on excellence.
Today's society as a whole seems to be falling short of excellence, in a cycle
that is only going to get worse. The problem is that society is aware that
all aspects of our daily lives will change, where excellence is not concrete,
just is interpreted. The United States has abandoned excellence because times
change, and people prepare for change.
Personal excellence depends upon many different circumstances, depending on
one's morals, and what they have experienced. Most people think that a good
job, a healthy family, and a nice car are all crucial parts of excellence.
Our society has allowed Americans to believe this for years, but I believe it
is
altogether false. I also know that the meaning of excellence can be
determined by the one who strives for it. In every aspect of my life, I will
not allow myself to fail in pursuit of my goals in the classroom or on the
track.
However, motivation for myself in the classroom
decreases as I get older.
Age has nothing to do with motivation, but study habits and the amount of work
have always been a changing variable. Just as society changes, I too change.
I would like it if I did not allow myself to fall into the influence of pop
stars, TV, and singers, but with the vast number of choices, it is almost
impossible. TV does influence my goals and often hinders my very goals to do
homework or study. The consequences of the many distractions in everyday life
are enough to ruin my plans and goals for the future. Making awareness a big
part of my life allows me to stay focused and motivated, so I do not fail in
my own eyes.
Many times I have found myself in the midst of failing,
and picking myself up
can be difficult. My values as I run track, pole vault, and earn a 4.8 GPA
stay high because I cannot live with failing. I am very competitive and have
a true spark in every aspect of my life. Although I strive for goals, I find
excellence difficult. Goals can be met, records can be broken, but who sets
the standards for excellence other than oneself? I strive for goals, not
necessarily perfection. There is always a smarter student, and always a
faster runner. However, I can achieve personal excellence with a better grade
or a better time.
As one can see, excellence in the twenty-first century cannot be reached
easily, either personally or by the nation as a whole. True excellence is
[exhibited] by the ideas, values, and motivation of the individual. Many
Americans
have abandoned excellence in the twenty-first century. So why bother to
strive
for it? It cannot be reached unless personal goals have been met. But then
again, someone else will shun these efforts. Yes, the striving of excellence
is difficult for many of us; the last episode of Friends is on Thursday
night at seven o'clock.
Questions
Q1. Am I really where I want to be?
A. My actions and life-decisions have all led to changes in my life. Where
some actions of mine have caused failure, and others success, all of my
decisions have made me the individual I am today, and have put me where I want
to be. I am about to begin the highest point of my education, and I am about
to prove to everyone what I can do with this education, to be the best I can
be.
Q2. Am I moving in the direction that will enable me to make the greatest
contribution?
A. In my life, the greatest contribution is to be a most useful citizen.
Yes, I will be able to make the contribution possible by being an individual,
and believing in my actions and taking responsibility for them. In regards to
my life, I am striving for my best in academics, track, and cross-country.
Q3. If I could achieve my highest goals, what would my accomplishments look like?
A. I would be a certified public accountant, making enough money to have a
well-balanced life, with four kids and a beautiful wife. Life throws curves,
and these goals may be somewhat different by the time I am ready to reach for
them.
Q4. Do I recognize excellence and search it out or do I find mediocre
acceptable and am I willing to settle?
A. I recognize excellence but do not
strive for perfection. I strive for my
own goals. Perfection is unreachable, and being mediocre is unacceptable. I
believe if someone does his or her very best in all aspects of life, they
have nothing to be ashamed of.
Q5. Do I seek out people, books, movies and other things that encourage me
to be the best I can be?
A. To an extent I search out all of these things. Life is also full of
unlimited choices, and I still want to have fun. Some of the best people,
books,
and movies have nothing to do with excellence, so a balance is what I seek.
Q6. Do I recognize the best in others?
A. I hope that I am viewed as a person who is not quick to judge others. I
look for the best but have also been subject to my own prejudices like anyone
else. Once I find the best in a person, I believe I bring it out so that they
can see who they really are, and appreciate me for who I am. It is a win/win
situation.
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."
A. No. I disagree. I believe goals can be met within the rapid change of
society. If my goals do not follow the hectic change, then the purpose to
live
seems somewhat limited. I take the changes as they come. Society has
allowed different standards in different situations so prioritizing my life is
a
must to reach my personal goals.
Q8. Interpret this quote from paragraph nine: "Woe to them that are at ease
in Zion."
A. If a person is not aware of his or her surroundings,
then he or she is an
advanced society. It brings up the real question of whether or not people
are better off with material things.
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"?
A. Pro: The lazy non-excellent people
can give up hope without losing anything.
Con: If there is a will, surely there can be a way because being poor does
not make a person less excellent.
Q10. Explain what Morrow means when he says (A) "the confusion contaminates
character and disables ambition." Do you agree?
A. I agree. One has to have well based goals or his or her excellence fades
into a pattern along with everyone else. (A routine) I believe it is
important to be an individual.
Q11. Argue pro and con the effect of over stimulation and under stimulation
as discussed in paragraph 10.
A. Over stimulation pro: A person can stay knowledgeable with their
surroundings, and the con effect is that a person may only believe what their
stimulation has taught them. Under stimulation pro: A person can make his or
her own decisions without worrying about society, but the con effect can leave
a
person left useless and blind to what is going on in everyday society.
Q12. Contrast practical excellence with metaphysical excellence as used in
Morrow's last paragraph.
A. Practical excellence seems to be profitable to people more than
metaphysical excellence. A prime example of profitable excellence is
illustrated by the 140 Nobel prizes awarded since World War II. Metaphysical
excellence is the true meaning of excellence, but often misunderstood,
defaced, or bombed by the pressures of society and practical excellence.
Q13. Copy and interpret your two favorite
quotes. Explain why you chose them.
Quote #1: "Nothing can bring peace but yourself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Interpretation: Unless I am content with myself, I cannot expect to be
treated in a respectable manner. I chose this quote because I think Emerson
holds a strong point. I believe that a problem in need of a solution first
needs a solution in the solver.
Quote #2: Let him who would move the
world, first move himself." - Socrates
(BC)
Interpretation: If I have problems, I need to fix those before I try to
tackle the world’s problems. I chose this quote because like Emerson's quote,
(only at a much later time than Socrates) Socrates was a great philosopher,
and this quote has true meaning to life, especially mine.