Honesty Case

Leo Tolstoy once said that “everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” I have never been a very introspective person but the last few weeks of my life, I have thought only of ways to change myself for the better.

So far, I have not done a good job at all of representing my school or being a model citizen. In light of my recent actions at Radford University I aim to redirect my path towards one of honesty, integrity, learning, wisdom, and above all respect. Patterns of lying and self destructive behavior have put my education in jeopardy and that is something I simply cannot do. I am far too grateful for this opportunity to let my foolishness stand in the way of my future. One thing I do know for a fact is that I am far more fortunate than millions of children in the world, I have seen evidence of this firsthand, and it would be such a waste if I did not take full advantage of my opportunities like I know others would love to do. I have admittedly lead a selfish life where I thought only of my own problems and disregarded respect altogether.

Nothing would benefit me more than to change my ways because in the period of my life where doors should be opening I am shutting them before I can get there. I alone am the cause of it and I alone am the one who can set things straight. Change is hard though, I can attest to that. I have spent my entire life moving around the globe with my parents. I’ve been ‘the new kid of the block’ so many times its ridiculous but I never became comfortable with the feeling. What I’m trying to say is that the reason I felt so uncomfortable is because I personally was not willing to change my lifestyle and dreaded leaving my newfound comfort zone. It is impossible to achieve a change of heart or a change of character unless I am personally ready to. I am very ready to make that change now in order to secure a bright future for me and my loved ones as well as to grow and learn as a productive human being.

If I do not accomplish this however, I risk plunging deeper into the hole that I’ve begun digging for myself. After a short while my choices and freedoms will decay until they are all gone and I have nothing left but my memories of a time when the world was my oyster. I do not want to live with regret and spend my time wishing I had done things differently. Now is the time to do things differently. Now is the time to take advantage of my opportunities. Now is when I learn the skills that will carry me over the rest of my life.

I am going to be the model student. Not to prove something to administration, or my parents, or anyone else for that matter. I am doing it for myself and my own benefits as a person. I’ve realized that I must be selfish in this one aspect. Selfish in the sense that I am looking out for my own education and wanting to bring about this change in order to become a better person. Someone