"The Character Experiment": Experience 1

           The first virtue I chose to make a serious attempt at practicing is commitment. Commitment is an agreement or promise to do something in the future. Basically, commitment is when you say you will take responsibility of something, and sticking with it. I tend to say I will do something, and then when I face it I don’t want to do it. When times get tough I just want to quit. Do you ever ask yourself this way, that way, which way should I go? I’m constantly asking myself what I should do next because of this commitment issue. The opposite of commitment is lacking direction which totally describes me. I just can’t make up my baffled mind. There are just so many paths to take and I don’t want to be the one who takes the wrong turn. That’s why I try to take as much time as I have to choose something.

            I am obviously picking this virtue to focus on because it needs “some” working on. I need to commit to things because I won’t find out what I like without sticking to something and I will be considered a quitter or disloyal. Not only that, but I can’t quit everything I do because eventually there will be nothing left for me to do.  People are already asking me what I want to be when I grow up, and I’m thinking that I can’t even decide what character I want to be in Classcraft. Like how does anybody expect me to decide what I want to be when I’m still a freshman? Commitment is especially difficult when you are new to something and you don’t want to adapt to it. Like a sport, the first month of training is tiring and gruesome and your body just wants to crumble away and fall to the floor and vanish from the face of earth (yea I’ve done it before, I know the feeling).

            I do have a couple of plans for growing in this virtue; let’s just hope I can commit to them! First off, I selected the elective Research A in which you study different fields of science and compete against other schools and so on. This elective requires a lot of determination, commitment, hours of studying and practicing, which is why I choose it. I really plan to dedicate and devote my time, and prove to myself that I can do it if I try. Also, as many of you know you have to work diligently in Archimedean, and you can imagine how long it took me to decide to get out of Coral Reef and come to this school. I definitely made the right decision and I don’t regret it, because I know that if I stay committed my hard work will pay off.

            My second virtue has the most significance to me in particular, which is thankfulness. The literal definition of thankfulness is a conscious of receiving benefit or expressing thanks. I really take what I have for granted, and since I’m an only child my parents can provide me what I want(*not all the times, but when my parents say no, my grandparents step in and spoil me). There is so much to be thankful about which I seem to miss at some points. I tend to get accustomed to goodness that it becomes regular. Thankfulness should come from the heart and be expressed fully to show appreciation. There is always something to be thankful about, whether it is something “simple” like getting clothes or whatever you feel casual about, or getting a brand new car. Saying thanks isn’t hard (its only one word) and it really can’t harm you.

I am picking this particular virtue because I don’t want to get used to not being grateful. I’m always hearing on the news about how many people are suffering around the world and I compare that to what I have. I see how much I have that I don’t even take into consideration. According to (www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-global-poverty), “Nearly 1/2 of the world’s population — more than 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day. More than 1.3 billion live in extreme poverty — less than $1.25 a day.” It is sad thing to think about (and here I am at home sitting in front of a laptop complaining about homework, when half of the world can’t even afford water, let alone food). I don’t want to focus on the stuff I don’t have, but on the numerous things I do have.  I really want to be more grateful and I feel that this virtue should be practiced by everybody.

            As always you need a plan to succeed. Don’t worry I have one (starts thinking about a plan). Since I constantly tell my parents that I don’t have enough and that others have what I want, I’ll stop and think twice about how much my parents already do for me directly and indirectly. Whenever I get something I ask for or something I didn’t ask for, I will show that I am appreciative and say thank you to whoever it may be. In general, I will try asking for less and be more thankful. Like, saying thanks for dropping me off to school and picking me up, and having my breakfast, lunch, and dinner ready for me without me having to ask, or providing me a house and a safe environment to live in, and pure water to drink and shower in. Honestly I could go on forever. So stop and think about what you have, and keep calm and say thanks.

            Finally, we are at the last one. Trust me your part is easier. Reading nine paragraphs takes two minutes; it took me ten hours to write this. Anyways, my last virtue is assertiveness. Now if you don’t know what that means, too bad (just kidding). When you are assertive, you have or show a confident and bold personality. But in my case I just doubt myself. I’m not shy, however I don’t trust in myself and then I end up being right and regretting not sticking with my first choice. So I’m basically doubtful and regretful (wow, what a good match)! It is actually a really terrible feeling to be honest, and you tell yourself that you will be brave the next time but you end up backing down again. Being assertive helps people to stand up for themselves in a positive and serene manner.

            There are many reasons for my attempt to seriously practice this virtue. The number one purpose I need to become assertive is because I want to be brave and answer the question to how I see it, and give my input to participate more often. Even if I’m wrong, it is better for the teacher to correct me, rather than thinking about why it shouldn’t be what I originally thought. I also need to break out of my turtle shell or conch shell, and just speak out. And maybe, just maybe, if I express my thoughts, I might make a good point to help expand on the topic which will add to the discussion. By me being confident, but not cocky with my answers, I can connect with others and my classmates to develop on our ideas and rule the world!
            My final plan (thank god, I can see the sigh of relief on your face and you can probably imagine mine). So my plans relate to what I put for the paragraph above, but I’ll explain more. I obviously need to get over my fear and raise my hand. I need to be brave and not be afraid to get an answer that might not be right. Group debates and group work will help me to participate and get more involved. Also, as you get to know the class overtime, I feel that you can express yourself more and more as you get comfortable and adapted to the people in it. I will convince myself to respect my first choice and stick with it. As most people say, the first choice is the best choice. I’ll try to live by that motive, at least most of the time.

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