Benjamin Blaumeiser - Grade 7, Van Buren Middle School
Believing in My Future
My friend reminds me, “He who learns the most wins.” These words provide me peace in knowing my future is going to be strong and successful as I am learning new things with every experience. I’ve been blessed with talents and feel obligated to honor them in the way I live my life and treat others. I am motivated to greet everyday with my best. I am not sure if the goals I have today will stay with me all my life. But no matter what I choose to do, I need to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
Eventually, I want to start an organization called “Going Long with a Buddy” that will bring together people with disabilities and people without to do activities such as running, basketball, soccer, triathlons, or even craft activities. I want to create a supportive environment that allows everyone to pursue and discover their passions while being treated equally.
To assist me in achieving my goals, I actively work on developing my mindset. I’ve adopted certain philosophies to help obtain skills I will eventually need later in life.
I believe I am the sum of the people that I am around the most. This ranges from physically being around people in conversations to reading about them in books and magazines. I understand that who I spend my time around is an indicator of who I will become. I choose to be around people that will elevate me the most by pushing me, emotionally and mentally. Learning from their successes and challenges provides guidance for me in making decisions for my future.
I try to stretch myself by putting myself in uncomfortable situations; by taking chances and trying new opportunities to grow and learn. In the movie, We Bought a Zoo, there's a line, “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.” Reminding myself to have this kind of courage and welcoming challenges helps me get through any experience and open myself up to opportunities so I can improve. I have experienced classes, workshops, speeches, essays, interviews, and travel I might otherwise not have had I not pushed myself to be brave and trust in my future.
Whenever I take on a project, I try to not let myself get overwhelmed by it or back away from finishing it. I make the decision that I WILL find a way to make it happen. I don’t allow myself to have any excuses to get out of doing what I know is my absolute best. I commit to giving 110% effort.
The achievements I have experienced so far are a result of previous decisions. I have such great belief in my future that I provide myself the gift of hard work now so that others and I will benefit down the road. Everyday I have the ability to make a choice and decide my attitude. My commitment to these beliefs are the foundation of my future and it is easy to move forward with excitement.
