Motivation is what drives me to succeed. It is the force which pushes me to circumstances that I was afraid to go into. I have started venturing into roads that I never would have thought I would taken before.
How did I get here? Looking to my past, I didn’t push myself at first. I used to be easily satisfied. I never questioned anything happening around me. I never thought of improving life. I was fine with maintaining status quo.
I didn’t see it before but a seed was planted in my mind. As a young child, oblivious about the workings of the world, all I learned from were examples before me. All I could learn from was really my family. My parents did teach me foundations – the difference between right and wrong. Besides them, I grew up learning from my sister, Ate.
As with most siblings, I always fought and bickered with her. I tried my best to run the opposite direction from her path in life. When she focused on her social life, I focused on my academic life. When she focused on beauty, I focused on the unimportance of it. As much as I treasured my unique identity, I couldn’t help but be influenced by her. After all, I did spend about 60% of my life with her.
I realized that as my sister learned and repeated things she wanted to remember out loud over and over, I learned alongside her. Pondering the source of my motivations, I realized that her motto that she used to repeat to herself had stuck to me as well – Never Settle For Mediocrity, Strive For Success. Maybe it was in the back of my head all this time as I grew up. Maybe this mentality pushed me to reaching for success in my academic life. Whether it was the motto or just a coincidence, we both ended up go-getters later in life.
I cannot deny the role Ate played in being a positive influence in my life. I witnessed her set her sights upon reaching great achievements. I know how much effort she puts into trying to attain the highest goals. I see how her efforts do not go to waste and I commend her for her motivation. I learned never to settle for mediocrity and strive for success.
Thank you, Ate, for being a good role model. I hope you will continue to reach for the stars.
Happy Birthday, Ate!
Tags: ate, birthday, motivation, never settle for mediocrity
