Success

What Success is to me
I once believed having everything I ever wanted was the definition of success. I wanted a new car, nice clothes a lot of friends and all that sort of stuff. What I learned from experience is that none of those things last. They don't fill the empty void I felt in my chest at the end of the day. I got a new car and it was amazing the first couple of months but then the feeling went away. The good feeling of having nice clothes only lasted the first time I wore them. After that they became dirty laundry. As for friends, they come and go. Nothing lasts forever. Success has to come from within yourself. It is most definitely not a material thing or a relationship with anyone or thing. Success isn't easy. It has to be the hardest thing you will ever do. But once you do it, it lasts forever...

A Reason to Live
I was once asked a very serious question. I was asked, "what is your purpose?" I responded with attitude, "my purpose for what?!" They told me for everything I do. What was I doing? At the time I was still going through physical therapy, still learning to walk. I was attending Chabot. I was still getting over a broken heart. I felt as if I was just trying to repair my shattered life. I got home and didn't think too much of it until just right before I was about to go to sleep. I laid there and thought, "what will I do after I'm basically normal again?" The first thing I thought of was I want to help people who think their lives are broken and shattered and let them know I've been there and it is possible to retake your life. I basically wanted to help those who are in some way in the same position that I'm in or was in. I then thought there is nothing else I'd rather do with my life than doing that. I want to become either an educational counselor at a college or high school or a marriage and family therapist. What better purpose do I have now of going to school getting good grades and enjoying life then to help others that need help in the same way I needed and received help. I felt as if it all happened for that reason. The accident, the heartbreak, everything. It was as if I went through all of that just so I can find my purpose in life. I now feel as if I have a reason to live. When I accomplish my goals then I believe I will reach success.

The Cliche 
In all honesty I won't feel successful unless I have everything I need and some of the things I want. I'm embarrassed to admit this but success won't be reached unless I make a comfortable living. It's cliche and everything Christopher McCandless is against but I'm just like most of America. I want a house, a car, food in my fridge, and a well off family. Most importantly I think what will define my success is if I'm not only capable of providing myself of the cliche commodities that everyone desires but to do what it is that gives me reason to wake up each morning. I think that would be the ultimate level of success to me.

My Ultimate Success
If I can bring a positive impact upon several people's lives then it'll bring me the greatest feeling of success. To me success won't even matter unless I make a difference in someone's life or make some kind of difference in the world. What would be the icing on the cake for me, if I'm capable of doing this is to actually write a book. If I wrote a book I would be able to touch thousands possibly millions more world-wide. If I'm capable of doing that then I will feel as if I reached success. There are so many ways one can succeed however. You can succeed in school, work, family, love, friends, having fun, etc. I think if I have a good balance between everything then my life goals would be reached. Christopher McCandless isn't so much remembered for what he did. He is remembered for why he did what he did. That's my ultimate success too. I want to be remembered for something. I don't so much wish to be famous, but I wish to make an impact on the world that hopefully lasts forever.

What Helps Me Succeed & What Can Be My Drawbacks

As of right now there are hundreds of things that help me succeed in my community. There can also be hundreds of things that prevent my success if I let it. My key to success is making sure that the good outweigh the bad. I also have to find a way to turn the negatives into positives. I have already flipped a drastic drawback that almost cost me my life. Most would've used a traumatic brain injury as an excuse to not do anything, to give up, and even let it ruin your life. However, if anything I used what had happened to me as an excuse to work harder than anybody else. I felt sub-human so I worked my ass off just to be normal. Once I got to be somewhat normal my work ethic stuck with me and now I'm working on being better than good enough.

Success Because Of Volunteer Work

I heard somewhere, maybe from Sean that you won't be able to truly help yourself until you help someone else first. I have always enjoyed helping people but it wasn't until this past year that I actually initiated doing something. I became a big brother at Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Bay Area, and I also became a Reading Partner tutor at Hillside Elementary in San Leandro. These experiences have not only increased my confidence because I see that these kids look up to me, but the experience has also displayed my strengths. I learned that I can be very patient, I'm actually funny, and I can give good advice. Volunteering has really changed my life and if there is a reason I succeed one of the reasons would be because I give back to my community.

Success Because of Family

My family has been extremely supportive and helpful with my academic goals. My mom being a former teacher and a current high school counselor knows exactly what to tell me when I need help. My sisters have all graduated from universitities so they know how to help me because they have been there. Especially after my accident my family has been there to take care of me when I was completely dependent of them. They carried me when I couldn't walk, they encouraged me when I didn't think college would ever be possible again. If there is a reason why I succeed it will be because of my family.

Success Because of Failure

Nothing in life teaches you better than failure. It takes several falls before you get to where you want to be. The key is how you respond to failure. You either get up and try again or, stay down. One of my football coaches once told me, "life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you respond." My coach was absolutely right. It matters more how you respond to what happens then what actually happens. I suffered a severe traumatic brain injury but, how I responded after that happened is what got me to where I am now. I know what it feels like to be kicked down so, therefore I know what it takes to get back up. I will succeed because I know whatever is to come in life, I will overcome it.