The theme I tried to convey in my essay was to find purpose within yourself, as looking elsewhere is to be an endless search. Beginning with a sullen state, depression suppresses my identity and outlook on life. I then find a purpose within a dream, representing the intangible and impossible to grasp aspect of purpose (when external). As the hunger for purpose festers, the side effects of delusion and desperation appear making everything worse. In the end I learn through the experience that all things will come naturally; I have no need to rush.

I felt as though my theme of self discovery fitted well with the “learning requires exploration of ones identity,” and it is what I reflected upon as my First People’s Principals to Learning. I use this principal in every facet of my life, and I consider it one of the most eye-opening aspects to learning.

For the core competencies, I believe Personal Responsibility and Awareness are the most prominent themes in my essay. It deals with self determination, regulation, and awareness; all crucial skills to learning/living. These competencies helped me mature and grow independent. I was able to see this as I wrote and edited this essay; I have come a long way. I learned that I am now able to determine what is worth my time, good for me, and important long term.