I believe that life’s meaning is filled to the brim with dreams, lessons, and the people that inspire you. Though a part of life is enduring hardships, it’s the dreams, lessons, and inspiring people that help you overcome those obstacles. Personally, I dreamt of having a happy and fulfilling life as a child. I also think the most important lesson I have ever learned to do is smile. Lastly, the one person who has inspired me the most is my grandfather. 

I have dreamt of having a happy and fulfilling life since my childhood. I want to spend my time on this Earth doing what I love with the people that I love. One of my first steps to achieving this dream is to find a career that makes me want to wake up and work, even if it isn’t a very high paying job. Some careers I have considered include being an actress, model, or fashion designer. This is because I like to entertain others, am very outgoing, and I have always been into fashion trends since my grandmother used to model and has a career staging clothes for a company called Carlisle. Another reason I dream of pursuing these careers is because I have watched “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” starring Audrey Hepburn. Since the first time I watched the movie at seven years old, I thought she was very powerful role for the movie and I wanted to be just like her in every shape and form. I began researching more about Hepburn and discovered she was not only an actress but a model, who had a heavy influence on the fashion of her time. My obsession with Audrey Hepburn pushed me to pursue my “dream careers.” To pursue these careers, I have already spoken with and signed to an agency, Albany Talent Agency, to model and act. I have also had many professional photo shoots to help my skills. In the future, I would like to take more modeling and acting classes as well as begin research and practice with designing clothes. Another step I intend to take in achieving my dream is to surround myself with people who support me, care for me, and have a positive attitude. This is because I will be able to speak my opinions and experiences freely, will be able to work effectively with, and can be myself around them. Some of these people include my mother, grandparents, sister, and close friends. I trust them greatly and I feel I wouldn’t be as strong as I am today. Therefore without these people, my life wouldn’t be as happy and fulfilling as it is today. Lastly, I want to treat people with the most kindness as possible, even if they don’t treat me the same. After I give compliments and help others talk about their feelings to me, not only am I aiding others in feeling more confident and optimistic, I feel like a stronger person myself. I practice being kind to others who may not show me the same attitude too because I then feel like a better person and show more respect. Therefore, I will achieve my dream of having a happy and fulfilling life through finding a job that speaks to my interests, surround myself with supportive and positive people, and to always be kind to others. 

The most important lesson I have ever learned is to smile. This is because it makes me feel more confident, is inviting to others, and has gotten me through rough times. From a young age, my grandmother has always said to me that “You will never fully be ready for anything without a smile.” My grandma then said to show your teeth and to grin as wide as possible. Since I have looked up to my grandma since I can remember, I have always taken her advice with smiling. Whether it be for pictures, for when I’m cheering on the basketball court, or just as simple as walking through the hallways, I think of the way my grandma taught me to smile. Smiling like this helps me feel a lot more confident in the way I present myself to others. I feel that it shapes my bubbly and outgoing personality as well as allows me to be myself. One of the greatest compliments I have ever received was when I showed up to an 8:00am Saturday practice for a cheerleading competition. One of my teammates asked how I could be smiling this early and at such a stressful time. My coach then said that I have one of the best smiles on the team because it was always plastered on my face, no matter the situation. At that moment I felt very accomplished and proud of how I have learned to smile the way I do. I have been told that smiling makes me seem more approachable and easier to talk to. Therefore, I credit many of my lasting friendships with my smile as a start. Finally, smiling has always gotten me through my toughest situations. At times when I feel lonely, hopeless, or scared, I normally smile around others and continue show happiness. I strongly believe that even though life may throw you into hardships, having a smiley personality will bring out the best in you, even if it might take time to be fully recovered. Smiling relieves stress for me and makes me feel tougher since I am grinning despite difficulties. Many have told me they would of never known something was bothering me because I place a smile on my face everyday. Thus, learning how to smile is my most important lesson because it fuels my confidence, has brought me some of my most valuable friendships, and has allowed me to step above my ominous hardships.

My biggest inspiration is my grandfather. He has always been my hero and forever will be. At just 23 years old, he was forced to face firefight, close instances of death, and enemy blindness stepping into the warfare of the Vietnam War. He recalls almost being shot and killed several times in rice fields and rubber tree plantations. He ended up winning the Silver Star award for his sacrifice in February of 1966. Instead of escaping safely, my grandpa allowed the platoon leader and sergeant to run ahead of him while he carried a dead soldier through the firing of bullets. He soon realized that he was left in the open alone, having allowed the others to escape safely. At this point, his courage allowed him to use his college football skills to run in a zigzag pattern to catch up with his men while avoiding the gunfire. However, his service didn’t end there. My grandfather went back to Vietnam for a second time, four years later, to fight in jungle territory despite being newly married to my grandmother, the same grandmother who taught me how to smile, and his terrifying experiences from his first tour of Vietnam. There he was met with the traumatic encounter of killing the North Vietnamese soldiers from Hanoi. It was even more difficult because the enemy was disguised as South Vietnamese farmers. My grandpa states: They weren’t like the Nazis from World War II, you didn’t know who the enemy was. But you still had to step out and fight.” Hence, he sometimes ventured into new jungle territory blinded to who the genuine enemies were. Due to his bravery and leadership, he was upgraded to serve as a colonel for the rest of the war. Unfortunately, my grandfather adopted post-traumatic stress disorder from his horrendous battles. Yet, he rose above it all to begin and take care of a family. His courage, sacrifice, and service has inspired me and forever will.

Childhood dreams, lessons, and inspiration from others gives life eminent meaning. My childhood dream of living my life happily and fulfilled has given me hope for the future and and the feeling of accomplishment from the steps I have already taken. My lesson of how to smile has helped me become more self confident, cordial, and stronger person. Lastly, my inspiring grandfather has showed me that with courage, sacrifice, and service you can defeat all odds, no matter the extremity. With these, my life is filled with so much significance and has helped me overcome some of the heaviest obstacles life has placed in front of me.