Thoughts of a Writer by Eleni

Thoughts of a Writer by Eleni - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door," said by Milton Berle is one of the most profound, life-changing quotes I have ever read in my entire life. It changed everything about me- from how I saw the world, my perspective and my work ethic being changed. It has changed me tremendously. At a certain point in my life, a few years ago, I felt as if I would never be able to amount to anything. I had alright grades, compared to my peers. I was pretty good at soccer, but not as good as my teammates. Sure, I’m passionate for writing, but that doesn’t mean I can actually publish a book, right?

I didn’t think a lot about college either. Sure, every week I’d put half my paycheck into my bank account with the idea that I’d be saving for college. But I also have other dreams aside from getting myself an education—publishing books, becoming an author, travelling the world? What about those dreams? Well, my family is merely surviving in these bad economic times. How on earth would I afford to travel the world, to write books and go to school to become a nurse? I learned how: it’s solely up to you.

This quote basically says, where there’s a will, there’s a way. That’s the greatest truth behind it. You’ll never be able to travel the world if you don’t prioritize it. Instead of spending money on doing my nails, buying new clothes, eating out, I buckled down on myself. I could do my own nails. My clothes were okay, did I really want to spend the other half of my paycheck on clothes? Where would those clothes be years from now? Eating out—I could make my own food. I knew that if you prioritized it, then it could definitely happen. I’ve never asked my parents for money. I don’t expect them to help me with college. I don’t expect them to send me on luxurious adventures. I don’t expect them to write a book for me.

I have recently been working on editing the two books that I have written during high-school. I am editing two, while writing a third. I know that my passion for writing is everlasting. I know that no matter what, where, who I am with in my life I will always be a writer. I have a plan set after I am done editing my novel. I know where I want to be and how I am going to get there. You don’t need to be a college professor to write a book. You don’t need to be rich to go on travels. That’s the truth. And you certainly can go to any college you want, as long as you have the heart and the passion to go to it.

I think that a lot of people blame themselves or create excuses for themselves to achieve their dreams. I, on the other hand, have looked at this very long-term. When I die—how do I want to remember my teen years and my twenties? I want to be productive and have memories that aren’t materials but experiences.