(My project in English IV

Didactic Essay)

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials. Truly, perfection can only be achieved within the boundaries of surmounting predicaments. To do that, man usually stands firm – never shaken. He usually deals with trials head on without further ado. He usually struggles and never gives up in spite of the paucity of the tribulation. These are what man usually does. Consequently, though, man also usually gets tired and weary in the long run. In facing trials, therefore, it is necessary for man to stop and retreat – to listen, to reflect and to be himself.

Primarily, to conquer tribulations, one needs silence. He needs to relax, meditate and listen to heed his inner voice. Through the silence of the heart, one is relaxed and can reflect properly. Through the silence of the mind, one is meditating and can think efficiently. Through the silence of the mouth, one listens and can establish himself efficiently. Silence prepares one to reflect and be he. Through the silence of the heart, mind and mouth, man trains himself.

Secondly, to overcome trials, one needs to reflect. One needs to know his own self. Amidst tribulations, one must know what he wants to happen. He must also know his strengths. Consequently, he must know his weaknesses. Reflection helps man visualize his destination, nourish his strengths and minimize his weaknesses. Through reflection, one knows and is not afraid of who he is.

Lastly, to prevail over predicaments, he must not pretend. After knowing himself, one needs to live by by who he is, no matter how others try to make him be someone else. He must not only know his wants, but also keep his composure and aim to what he wants to reach. He must not only recognize his strengths, but also manipulate them. He must not only realize his weaknesses, but also accept them and try to nullify them. Being his true self entails him to be focused to his destination, manipulative of his strengths and cagey on his weaknesses. Thus, it is easier to prevail against predicaments.

A retreat helps someone overcome their problems; that is why one needs to have a retreat. After preparing, knowing and being himself, man can surmount all his trials, predicaments and tribulations. Silence prepares one’s heart, mind and mouth to his challenges. Reflection brings the realization of who one really is – his dreams, his strengths and his weaknesses. Being oneself is being focused, manipulative and cagey. Silence, reflection and being oneself, together, lift man to triumph over his challenges. And, like polished silver, a man who retreats, surmounts his trials and later blooms towards shimmering perfection.

Farewell is like the end,

From every end comes a new beginning. As my high school life comes to an end, a new chapter of my life begins. After all the hassles and the dazzles, I am at my own happy ending. Like a rushing river nearing its mouth, I am finally ready to face the much wider and broader ocean. Like an eagle in its first journey, I can finally fly and reach my own zenith. Still, the amaranthine values that have molded me in high school, I will nurture. To finally reach the zenith of my hope and aspirations, I must nourish my faith, build excellence and develop service...and I will.

To draw my dreams in reach, I must nourish my faith. In this next chapter, I must and will be somewhere where I can nourish my faith in God, faith in others and faith in myself. With faith in God, I will never be thirsty of hope. With faith in others, I will always know that I’m not alone. With faith in myself, I will never break down and give up effortlessly. With nourished faith, I will always prevail over predicaments. Then, my life will soon reach a happy ending in a classic fairytale.

I can even draw the zenith nearer with excellence. I must and will be somewhere where the best of me will blossom through prudent decisions, diligent actions and fortified assertions in life. With prudent decisions, what matters to me will be the future and the present, not so much about the past. With diligent actions, slowly but surely, I can reach my goals leading to success. With fortified assertions in life, I will be able to take a strong and confident stand on what I believe. Through these, the best of me will blossom and I will be competent in facing the vast real world. From the narrow banks of a brook, I have become a rushing river drawing closer and closer to its mouth and finally, the vast ocean.

Ultimately, to be on the zenith, I, at last, must develop service. I must and will be somewhere where I will be of use to others. I will be somewhere where my faith and excellence will not be wasted. I will be somewhere where I can influence and nurture others’ faith. I will be somewhere where I can serve my excellence and bring out the best of others. I will be somewhere…somewhere where the meaning of life is fully revealed. I will fly and soar towards the zenith where I truly belong.

As my mission in life, I will nurture my faith, build my excellence and develop service. I will dash towards my own happy ending. I will face the world being the best of who I am. Finally, I will fly and soar towards where I am truly destined to be. These, I must do; and, these I shall.