New Year, New Me by Harrison

New Year, New Me by Harrison - December 2022 Scholarship Essay

Trying the same approach to a problem and expecting a different outcome is unrealistic and will not solve anything. Learning from our past mistakes and growing from them is imperative to how we develop as people and as a society. One of the biggest mistakes we make is taking what we have for granted, me included. Leaving 2022 and what I will be taking into 2023 is that I have learned to expect nothing but appreciate everything.

Looking over the past year, I wish I could have cherished what I had more often. I am fortunate with what I have been born into, but I wish I could have lived in the moment more. There is a common saying, “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” It is hard to cherish something until you no longer have it, but it is something that I personally think is important. Being able to recognize what you have, and to appreciate it in the moment shows humility and gratitude. I do not want to live my life only cherishing the people and things I have once they been gone. I think it is a true problem we all could work on. A little more awareness of what we have and, in that moment, cherishing what we are given. It is easy to go about life doing what you do, but it is hard to change and break habits. However, I think it is important to go out of your way to show gratitude for what you have.

The past year has changed my view on how I see things. It will be hard to change habits, but I want to, and I hope you do too. Gratitude is a key aspect of humility. Showing you cherish something, when you have it, is key to showing respect and love.