My Inspirations by Mariah

My Inspirations by Mariah - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

When it comes to my academics, I do not look for the same inspiration as others. Many look to the guidance of their parents or grandparents, teachers or friends, or just someone they admire. But I do not base my inspiration off of other people in the world today. I am inspired by two people, or perhaps three, maybe four, possibly even five. Now, these numbers may not make sense to the person who does not live inside my head, so I shall elaborate further.
I am not inspired by my parents, their success has nothing to do with my cognition. I am not inspired by my grandparents. I am not inspired by teachers. I am not inspired by those in power. I am not even inspired by my significant other.
Now that the basics of typical inspiration are put away, numbers will come into play. I have a range of inspirations, but the trick is this: I have not met any of my inspirations, save for one.
To break down my inspiration, I will begin with the one that I have met. Myself.
I am my own inspiration. Not because I see myself as better than anyone else, nor that I think I’m a wonderful human, nor that my personality or physical appearance is desirable over others. No, the source of inspiration that flows from my veins is far more selfish. However, dear reader, understand that my egoistic outlook is not to be corresponded with narcissism. While I may be out for my own gains and needs, I do not frequent the actions of stomping others aside for my own betterment, nor do I very much enjoy these actions when I must commit to them; however, I will do them. If I were Jack, Rose would have a choice: either scoot over or get off-I will fit on this door.
How could this view possibly be twisted into inspiration? Well, dear reader, the inspiration comes from inside. I am my own inspiration through a scientific looking glass. I understand that the world will not be handed to me, that I must take it. And so I must ensure that my own behavior matches with the person who I want to be. So, I suppose that I am not necessarily inspired by myself at this point in time, but rather by the images that I have met of my future self. I refuse to be uncomfortable in my settings, and my vocation must be respectable and well enough paying to uphold my standards of comfort.
Now, this seems rather prissy, but only if one does not look into themselves. Truly, after thorough introspection, one can come to terms with the fact that they do not want to live afflictive lifestyles. If one does not come to this conclusion, they have not fully introspected, as this is a basic instinct of all living things: to seek favorable conditions. This can also relate to my academic inspiration: I want to do well so that I can be well.
This also leads into the rest of my not yet met inspirations. To do well enough for me and my inspirations, I must first undergo training to teach myself how to excel in an academic setting for my future to be favorable. College is the way to go, and then even farther. My future is near directly related to my academic success, like a correlated graph.
And now, dear reader, it is time to reveal my other inspirations. The answer is simple. These are my children.
Now, it may not make pure and easy sense as to how these children could possibly be inspirations to my academic success, but the correlation is even more closely related. I am inspired to do well academically so that I may provide everything imaginable to my future children. Every failed test and every low grade makes the chances of my success slimmer. The drive for making good grades is not solely from my desire to do well, it’s a driving motherly force that reminds me of how my future children could be at a loss due to my early mistakes. My children will depend on me and my success to provide for them and their opportunity, thus, they inspire me to do well for their sake.
I aspire to be the kind of parent that can teach their children the academic concepts, and then some more; this inspires me to do well academically. I will work, never stopping until I am proven worthy to provide my children with the lives they deserve. It all begins with my academic success.
As I am writing these words, I sit here in my scrubs, my name tag hanging from the collar. I have papers strung across and cluttering my desk. I have oodles of pens in cups, going through them quickly. I have a briefcase of paper, and a constant order for printer ink. The idea of the future of my children is enough to make this clutter, this stress, the constant up-and-go all worth it. I am inspired by them, to make their lives better. And my academics are the best place to start.