An unexpected journey by Amanda

An unexpected journey by Amanda - November 2018 Scholarship Essay

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." Wise words from Gandalf the Grey, spoken in the Mines of Moria, or JRR Tolkien to be specific. This quote is very dear to me, being from one of my most beloved trilogy. But more than that, I like the message behind it. Life can be simple, if you think of it. We decide what we do with our lives, but make sure it's a good life, not wasted and full of regrets. That's what I get from it, anyway.
The trilogy is about an adventure and what greater adventure there is than your life. That is, if you make it one. I do want to make my life an adventure, full of exciting stories, no regrets. At the beginning of The Hobbit, Bilbo made a last minute decision to join with Gandalf and the dwarves on their journey to reclaim their home. That decision led to a life of stories worth sharing. Taking part in something much bigger than him made the tough situations all worth it in the end.
Heartache and suffering may arise, but life is all about the friendships made along the way. The triumphs, successes, and the good moments that make the blood, sweat, and tears all worth it. I can’t say I have decided all what I want to do with my life, but I’ll make those decisions along the way. When I’m lying in my deathbed, I’d like to believe I made the right decisions and that I had a life well lived or an adventure worth sharing.