https://thisibelieve.org/essay/170994/

this blog’s topic: self determination

this subject area of self determination intrigued me, because it is something I struggle with. Sometimes bouncing back from disappointment is hard; and more often than not, I get stuck in a rut whenever I am discouraged with my results.

The author of this essay explains their struggle with their “lack of talent” in the music field, describing their rejection from a university. The author’s determination pushed them forward until they were accepted into the same university the very next year.

I enjoyed the author’s story, because it proves that you don’t need to be a Mozart or to have incredible talent to achieve your dreams; you just need self determination.

I related to the author’s story immensely. I played piano for 8 years, but I was never good at it. I couldn’t improvise, I couldn’t sight-read, and I didn’t enjoy playing classical music at all. I had taken an RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) exam, and I didn’t get a very good mark. After that test, I felt very dejected; I no longer enjoyed playing piano and quit the following year. I did not had enough self determination to look past my mistakes and persevere; which is why this story stuck with me; it inspired me to always push forward even when faced with disappointment.