Lion or Sheep by Natasha

Lion or Sheep by Natasha - October 2018 Scholarship Essay

"Thinking outside the box" is a phrase most of us have known since childhood. The literal definition of thinking outside the box is finding a creative solution to a problem. To me, however, this cliche means much more to me than this. And as I'm growing up and moving towards college, I've got plenty of chances to prove just that.

I do often take "thinking outside of the box" at face value. When my parents or teachers say this to me, the sheep in me sometimes sees this as them telling me to put at least a little more thought and effort than I normally would into the task I am given and to create a solution or project that could be considered outside of the normal, obvious result. This is how we are taught to react to the phrase.

But every now and then, the lion inside of me comes out to play; it pushes me to do even better than that.

When I'm told to "think outside the box", occasionally I take this as being told to not just push the envelope but to burst it completely. I don't want someone to look at my resolution and say, "Yeah, that's creative." I want them to say "I didn't even know that was possible."

College is coming up soon, and I am working extremely diligently to keep up with everything that this includes. Now is my time to really prove myself to everyone that I can do better than "think outside the box; I can either be the sheep and follow the plan my teachers and parents are advising me to do, or I can let out my inner lion and pave my own great path for the happiest life possible.