what i want to do in life essay brainly

7 Ways to Answer "What Do I Want to Do With My Life?"

Not sure what you want here are some important questions you can ask yourself..

Posted April 26, 2021 | Reviewed by Davia Sills

• Everyone's path to fulfillment in life looks a little different.
• Understanding your core needs and values can help you maximize your happiness.
• Identifying specific activities that are meaningful to you can help you uncover the bigger-picture shape that your life could take.

"What do I want to do with my life?" is a question we all ask ourselves at some point. We wonder: What career do we want? How do we want to spend our time? What really leads to a life worth living?

The answer to what we want to do with our lives depends on a number of things. So let's talk about some of the questions you might ask yourself to find your answer.

1. What makes you happy?

We all want happiness . We want to experience positive emotions and eudaimonia —or meaning in life. So when it comes to figuring out what we really want in life, we might first ask ourselves what makes us happy.

For example, what do we like to do? When are we the happiest? Who are we with when we are the happiest? What goals bring a smile to our faces? Now, what kind of life would help you do these things and feel this way more often?

2. What are your needs?

Next, it can be helpful to ask ourselves which needs are most important to us right now. Now, be careful not to confuse needs with wants. We might want a million dollars, while we might need financial security. We might want the perfect partner, but we might need a partner who loves us and treats us well.

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, social/love needs and self-esteem needs are of higher priority than self-actualization —or living up to our full potential. Other needs—like competence, autonomy, and relatedness—are also thought to be keys to well-being and living a good life (Reis et al., 2000).

3. What are your values?

Values serve as guiding principles that help us move forward in ways that matter to us (Roccas, Sagiv, Schwartz, & Knafo, 2002). So reflecting on our values can help move us in the right direction. We might value social connection, and that helps us see that what we want in life involves being around others. Or, we might value kindness, and that shows that what we want in life may be a career helping others. By reflecting on your core values , you can better understand what you want.

5. What activities do you get absorbed in?

You know that feeling when you are so absorbed in your work or activities that you lose track of time? That feeling is referred to as flow —or the positive feeling of being totally connected to our performance (Jackson & Marsh, 1996). Flow occurs when we're doing things we really love that are just the right fit for our skill level.

So, what are the activities you get super absorbed in? Knowing the answer to this question can give you clues about what you want in life.

6. What would you do if you could do anything in life?

I don't like to get people's hopes and expectations up too much—the truth is we won't be able to reach every wildest dream we might think up. But on the flip side, we often place limits on our own potential that don't need to be there. So, taking the time to at least acknowledge what you really want can help you think about ways to move in that general direction.

7. What is the gestalt of your life?

Gestalt is German for "pattern," "shape," or "configuration." In psychology, gestalt refers to the idea of a sort of picture—the different parts produce a whole. In life, we often focus a lot on the little things we might want to change—the job, the house, the car—without focusing as much on the overall picture of our lives. So when thinking about what we want in life, we may benefit from taking a step back.

So ask yourself, what kind of life do you want to lead? What kind of feelings does this life have? How will the pieces fit together? What does it look like when you look in it from the outside? Asking these questions can hopefully help you understand more about what you want in life.

This post was adapted from an article published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute .

Reis, H. T., Sheldon, K. M., Gable, S. L., Roscoe, J., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). Daily well-being: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 26(4), 419-435.

​Roccas, S., Sagiv, L., Schwartz, S. H., & Knafo, A. (2002). The big five personality factors and personal values. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 28(6), 789-801.

Jackson, S. A., & Marsh, H. W. (1996). Development and validation of a scale to measure optimal experience: The Flow State Scale. Journal of sport and exercise psychology, 18(1), 17-35.

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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My Ambition in Life: An Essay

Why is it that some people seem to make it far in life, have clear goals and vision, have dreams they go after, and seem to be constantly moving forwards, where others seem to be either directionless, jump from one interest to another, waste time in life , get bored quickly, or generally don’t know what they want to do in life ?

Well, it’s very possible they have a very clear aim in life , and, if asked what their ambition in life is, they would be able to say “my ambition in life is…” and follow it up with a clear and concise answer.

This knowledge of what their ambition in life is drives them forwards in life with energy and vigour. It keeps them on focus and gives them meaning in their life.

With that ambition, with that drive, with that meaning, their lives become exciting and interesting. They are unlikely to get bored or ponder on the meaning of life because they know what drives them.

This essay on ambition will explore the importance of having an ambition in life and gives tips on how to find your ambition in life.

So let’s get to it!

What is ambition?

Having an ambition in life is the idea that you have something you really want to go after. This could be considered your dream(s) in life or your goal(s) in life. Ambition is something you really want to achieve. It’s often something that means something to you in a way that is hard to define in words.

An ambition is something you really want to go after. It is something that drives you. Ambition sees you through when things get hard or boring because ambition gives you energy.

When you have an ambition to achieve something, you often work tirelessly and diligently towards that because the ambition in and of itself is enough to keep you pushing forwards.

An ambition shows itself when you are faced with potential road blocks, obstacles, objections from others or the outside world, and yet you still go for it anyway.

Ambition gives people meaning in their lives. It is something to go after, something to aim for, something that means something to you on a deep level.

Your ambition in life doesn’t need to be something that is important to anyone else. An ambition in life is a very personal thing, and what is important for you to go after might not mean anything to anyone else. In fact, they may look oddly at you for your ambition. But as long as you believe in your ambition, and it is something you want, then that does not matter.

An ambition in life could be to become a doctor, a famous actor, an astronaut, to provide free energy to the world, to restore habitats for wildlife, to end world hunger, etc. Your ambition in life can be anything that means something to you , that you really want to go after, that gives you energy and keeps you moving forwards.

So when thinking about this, think about what you want and what drives you . Don’t worry about anyone else in answering “my ambition in life is…”.

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Why it’s important to have an ambition in life

It’s important to have an ambition in life because it gives you something to aim for. Having an aim in life gives you energy and something to strive towards.

Having an ambition in life keeps you focused on a goal you want to attain. That goal can give your life a meaning beyond the normal realities of day-to-day life.

It’s important to go through life with energy, courage and determination because we have one life to live and we should live it to the full. If you have an ambition in life, you can be sure that you are taking advantage of this life you have aren’t wasting your life .

What having an ambition in life will give you

Wouldn’t it be great to wake up every day with the drive and ambition to move towards something you really want in life? How would it feel if you woke up with a clear vision of what you wanted and you had the total energy to go after that?

Having an ambition in life gives you focus and determination. It gives you a great purpose to get out of bed every day and go after your goals with vigour and positivity.

This motivation gives you a reason to be alive that goes beyond yourself. We all have a purpose in life, we just need to find it. We have something that we can give to the world, to society, to those around us, to the future.

Wouldn’t it feel great to know what your ambition in life is, what aim you have for your life, and be able to go after it with full courage and determination?

This way of living will mean that you start to excel in other areas. When you have an ambition in life and go after it with your full energy, you will also find that you start taking action in other areas of your life. When you start to go after things that are important to you, you will also find that you want to achieve other things or help society in other ways.

You will likely also find that your confidence and feelings of self-worth grow. When you can look someone in the eye and say “my ambition in life is…” and answer it with clarity, energy, and confidence, that will give you a feeling of self-assurance that will make you feel good about yourself and help you to achieve in other areas of your life.

When you have a clear ambition in life, and you go after it, people will look up to you and respect you. You will respect yourself. And those things will help you achieve more in your life than you would without that courage and determination.

The dangers of having no ambition in life

Without having a clear ambition in life, you run the risk of not living life to the full. When you have no clear ambition in life, it’s very easy to get pulled in directions you don’t really care about. If you don’t know where you want to go, inevitably you end up doing things in life as a reaction to what is going on around you instead of in response to what really drives you.

This is the difference between living a life of reaction vs living a life that is proactive. Living a proactive life is one where you determine what you want to do, and you take steps that are actively in service of that. Reactive living is where you do things based on what is going on around you or what others want from you. Reactive living can often feel very stressful and overwhelming, whereas proactive living helps you to feel more like you are in control.

When you have no clear aim in life , or no ambition, no goals, you tend to be reactive to the world around you. You tend to respond to what other people want and to fears. You tend to have no real focus and make decisions in the moment rather than in advance. You will likely have more of a chance of regretting some of your decisions if you live reactively, rather than knowing that your decisions always serve you in some way, whether or not they have the outcome you want, when you live proactively.

This can lead to you ending up in a place in life that doesn’t really mean anything to you, or to a place where you are not living to the fullest potential of your life. You could start questioning what the point of life is, you could have regrets about your life , you could hate your job , or generally feel like you are wasting your time .

But, worse, you might not even know why or how to fix it. If you have no ambition in life, you won’t know what things to look out for that will help your life or give you direction. And then you run the risk of being stuck in a rut or generally feeling down about life.

How to get an ambition in life

We are not designed to go through this life without meaning, just doing whatever falls in front of us without a reason. That is a potential path to a limited life that could lead to regrets and feelings of disappointment. Frankly, it’s risky to go through life without any ambitions. You risk getting to the end of your life wishing you did more with your life. You risk massive regrets in life if you don’t have ambitions.

I believe we are put on this planet to live life to the full, to achieve our greatest ambitions, and help others to achieve great things in their lives.

That is certainly one of my ambitions in life. I want to be a film director, writer and actor, and I want to help other people go after and achieve their dreams.

I have been fortunate to work out what my ambition in life is, but many people don’t know what their ambition in life is. If that is you, do not worry, because you certainly can find out what your aim in life is .

And you don’t need only one. As I said above, I have a few ambitions in life, although, in some way, they are all wrapped up together as a group. But it is totally okay to have multiple ambitions, as many people do.

Try not to get too stressed about this right now. You can start the process, keep working on it, and figure out your ambition in life over a matter of time. And your ambitions can change, too!

What do you find insanely interesting or fun?

A great question to ask when figuring out what your ambition might be is to ask yourself what you enjoy most in life. What do you find insanely fun or interesting? What do you like to spend your time reading about, researching, or watching videos about?

What do you like to do in your spare time? What do you look forward to doing the most? What are some things you like doing, where, if you don’t do them, you feel a sense of loss?

What do you get obsessed over? What do you enjoy talking about?

Is there anything in your life that you can’t stop thinking about? Is there anything that people around you say you are obsessed about? What do you find yourself talking about to people the most? Is there anything you WANT to spend your time being obsessed over?

What would you choose to do with your time if you didn’t have to worry about money or anything else?

If you had no worries in life, like paying rent, working a job, health concerns, limitations of geography, etc, what would you do? Would you be a musician? Would you travel the world? Would you volunteer in a third world country?

If you can cut your fears about the world out then this will seriously help you to come up with answers. Fear is a massive roadblock to having clear thoughts, and that is why it is important to be able to ask yourself what you would do if you had no fears in life. Generally, this is one of the most reliable ways to figure out what your ambition in life is.

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?

As above, this is another question to ask yourself which involves stepping around the fears that naturally come up. Sometimes we know deep down what our ambitions in life are, but fear of failure gets in the way. This fear of failure can stop you from fully connecting with your ambition or from starting on working towards it. It can even make you believe that you don’t really want that thing after all! But this is just fear talking.

Interestingly, this fear can also be really useful in answering what your ambition in life is, because often the thing we fear the most tells us what is most important to us. Think about it – if you fear that you will fail at something, the thing you fear failing at probably means an awful lot to you.

So what do you really want to do but get scared over? What do you want to be really good at? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? If you knew would succeed, if you had total confidence, what would you do?

This is a very reliable way to figure out your ambition(s) in life.

If you still don’t know how to answer “my ambition is…”

These questions will help you to figure out what your ambition in life might be. But if you still don’t have an idea of your aim in life after writing these down, then the best thing you can do is go and get more life experiences.

Get out in the world and try new things. If you think you might like to work in a certain field, for example, go get some work experience in that field. If you think you might want to help endangered animals, go try working with animals. If you think you might want to make a movie, go and make a low-budget film.

And if you still don’t have any ideas, try meditating on it, or try getting away on a personal break away from the world, technology and distractions, to, as people say, “discover yourself”.

My ambition in life essay – Conclusion

Human beings have a need in life to feel like they are growing. If you are not growing you are dying. Having an ambition in life gives you something to aim towards, something to achieve. All the while you have something to aim for, and are actually going after that, you are growing. You will feel good about yourself and like you have a purpose, clarity, and meaning. Having an ambition in life gives you confidence, resolve and energy, and this will make you want to do even more with your life.

Having an ambition in life is exciting! It gives you meaning beyond words and helps you to be the best person you can be. Having an ambition helps you to live life to the full!

In short, having ambitions in life and going after them will make you feel truly alive!

So if you are interested in living life to the full, to living a life with meaning, to living a life that excites you and makes you feel alive, spend some time thinking about what your ambitions are or what they could be. Then start the process of actually going after them!

And if you know what your ambitions in life are, why don’t you write a short “my ambition in life essay” and post it in to the comments below? It would be great to hear what your ambitions in life are. And, you never know, you might even help other readers figure out what their ambitions in life are!

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Further Reading

If you would like to read more about this topic in general, check out this post on how to find your aim in life and this on why you need a mission in life .

Your ambitions in life are very likely related to or the same as your dreams in life . Check this post out if you are wondering if you should follow your dreams in life .

If you hate your job and are stuck in a rut with it, knowing you have greater ambitions in life, that post is for you.

Reading this post, you may feel like you don’t know what means a lot to you yet or who you even are at your core. That’s okay! You can figure it out, and it’s important you do. Check out this post on why you should define yourself , why you should define who you are at your core.

It’s important to try and minimise your regrets in life . If you are currently feeling regret over things in life, then this post on living with regret is for you.

If, reading this, you really don’t know what to do with your life , this post will help you to figure out what to do with your life .

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• Student Writing Contest

Follow YES! For Teachers

Eight brilliant student essays on what matters most in life.

Read winning essays from our spring 2019 student writing contest.

For the spring 2019 student writing contest, we invited students to read the YES! article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age” by Nancy Hill. Like the author, students interviewed someone significantly older than them about the three things that matter most in life. Students then wrote about what they learned, and about how their interviewees’ answers compare to their own top priorities.

The Winners

From the hundreds of essays written, these eight were chosen as winners. Be sure to read the author’s response to the essay winners and the literary gems that caught our eye. Plus, we share an essay from teacher Charles Sanderson, who also responded to the writing prompt.

Middle School Winner: Rory Leyva

High School Winner:  Praethong Klomsum

University Winner:  Emily Greenbaum

Powerful Voice Winner: Amanda Schwaben

Powerful Voice Winner: Antonia Mills

Powerful Voice Winner:  Isaac Ziemba

Powerful Voice Winner: Lily Hersch

“Tell It Like It Is” Interview Winner: Jonas Buckner

From the Author: Response to Student Winners

Literary Gems

From A Teacher: Charles Sanderson

From the Author: Response to Charles Sanderson

Middle School Winner

Village Home Education Resource Center, Portland, Ore.

The Lessons Of Mortality 

“As I’ve aged, things that are more personal to me have become somewhat less important. Perhaps I’ve become less self-centered with the awareness of mortality, how short one person’s life is.” This is how my 72-year-old grandma believes her values have changed over the course of her life. Even though I am only 12 years old, I know my life won’t last forever, and someday I, too, will reflect on my past decisions. We were all born to exist and eventually die, so we have evolved to value things in the context of mortality.

One of the ways I feel most alive is when I play roller derby. I started playing for the Rose City Rollers Juniors two years ago, and this year, I made the Rosebud All-Stars travel team. Roller derby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport. The physicality and intense training make me feel in control of and present in my body.

My roller derby team is like a second family to me. Adolescence is complicated. We understand each other in ways no one else can. I love my friends more than I love almost anything else. My family would have been higher on my list a few years ago, but as I’ve aged it has been important to make my own social connections.

Music led me to roller derby.  I started out jam skating at the roller rink. Jam skating is all about feeling the music. It integrates gymnastics, breakdancing, figure skating, and modern dance with R & B and hip hop music. When I was younger, I once lay down in the DJ booth at the roller rink and was lulled to sleep by the drawl of wheels rolling in rhythm and people talking about the things they came there to escape. Sometimes, I go up on the roof of my house at night to listen to music and feel the wind rustle my hair. These unique sensations make me feel safe like nothing else ever has.

My grandma tells me, “Being close with family and friends is the most important thing because I haven’t

always had that.” When my grandma was two years old, her father died. Her mother became depressed and moved around a lot, which made it hard for my grandma to make friends. Once my grandma went to college, she made lots of friends. She met my grandfather, Joaquin Leyva when she was working as a park ranger and he was a surfer. They bought two acres of land on the edge of a redwood forest and had a son and a daughter. My grandma created a stable family that was missing throughout her early life.

My grandma is motivated to maintain good health so she can be there for her family. I can relate because I have to be fit and strong for my team. Since she lost my grandfather to cancer, she realizes how lucky she is to have a functional body and no life-threatening illnesses. My grandma tries to eat well and exercise, but she still struggles with depression. Over time, she has learned that reaching out to others is essential to her emotional wellbeing.  

Caring for the earth is also a priority for my grandma I’ve been lucky to learn from my grandma. She’s taught me how to hunt for fossils in the desert and find shells on the beach. Although my grandma grew up with no access to the wilderness, she admired the green open areas of urban cemeteries. In college, she studied geology and hiked in the High Sierras. For years, she’s been an advocate for conserving wildlife habitat and open spaces.

Our priorities may seem different, but it all comes down to basic human needs. We all desire a purpose, strive to be happy, and need to be loved. Like Nancy Hill says in the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” it can be hard to decipher what is important in life. I believe that the constant search for satisfaction and meaning is the only thing everyone has in common. We all want to know what matters, and we walk around this confusing world trying to find it. The lessons I’ve learned from my grandma about forging connections, caring for my body, and getting out in the world inspire me to live my life my way before it’s gone.

Rory Leyva is a seventh-grader from Portland, Oregon. Rory skates for the Rosebuds All-Stars roller derby team. She loves listening to music and hanging out with her friends.

High School Winner

Praethong Klomsum

  Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

Time Only Moves Forward

Sandra Hernandez gazed at the tiny house while her mother’s gentle hands caressed her shoulders. It wasn’t much, especially for a family of five. This was 1960, she was 17, and her family had just moved to Culver City.

Flash forward to 2019. Sandra sits in a rocking chair, knitting a blanket for her latest grandchild, in the same living room. Sandra remembers working hard to feed her eight children. She took many different jobs before settling behind the cash register at a Japanese restaurant called Magos. “It was a struggle, and my husband Augustine, was planning to join the military at that time, too.”

In the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” author Nancy Hill states that one of the most important things is “…connecting with others in general, but in particular with those who have lived long lives.” Sandra feels similarly. It’s been hard for Sandra to keep in contact with her family, which leaves her downhearted some days. “It’s important to maintain that connection you have with your family, not just next-door neighbors you talk to once a month.”

Despite her age, Sandra is a daring woman. Taking risks is important to her, and she’ll try anything—from skydiving to hiking. Sandra has some regrets from the past, but nowadays, she doesn’t wonder about the “would have, could have, should haves.” She just goes for it with a smile.

Sandra thought harder about her last important thing, the blue and green blanket now finished and covering

her lap. “I’ve definitely lived a longer life than most, and maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I hope I can see the day my great-grandchildren are born.” She’s laughing, but her eyes look beyond what’s in front of her. Maybe she is reminiscing about the day she held her son for the first time or thinking of her grandchildren becoming parents. I thank her for her time and she waves it off, offering me a styrofoam cup of lemonade before I head for the bus station.

The bus is sparsely filled. A voice in my head reminds me to finish my 10-page history research paper before spring break. I take a window seat and pull out my phone and earbuds. My playlist is already on shuffle, and I push away thoughts of that dreaded paper. Music has been a constant in my life—from singing my lungs out in kindergarten to Barbie’s “I Need To Know,” to jamming out to Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” in sixth grade, to BTS’s “Intro: Never Mind” comforting me when I’m at my lowest. Music is my magic shop, a place where I can trade away my fears for calm.

I’ve always been afraid of doing something wrong—not finishing my homework or getting a C when I can do better. When I was 8, I wanted to be like the big kids. As I got older, I realized that I had exchanged my childhood longing for the 48 pack of crayons for bigger problems, balancing grades, a social life, and mental stability—all at once. I’m going to get older whether I like it or not, so there’s no point forcing myself to grow up faster.  I’m learning to live in the moment.

The bus is approaching my apartment, where I know my comfy bed and a home-cooked meal from my mom are waiting. My mom is hard-working, confident, and very stubborn. I admire her strength of character. She always keeps me in line, even through my rebellious phases.

My best friend sends me a text—an update on how broken her laptop is. She is annoying. She says the stupidest things and loves to state the obvious. Despite this, she never fails to make me laugh until my cheeks feel numb. The rest of my friends are like that too—loud, talkative, and always brightening my day. Even friends I stopped talking to have a place in my heart. Recently, I’ve tried to reconnect with some of them. This interview was possible because a close friend from sixth grade offered to introduce me to Sandra, her grandmother.  

I’m decades younger than Sandra, so my view of what’s important isn’t as broad as hers, but we share similar values, with friends and family at the top. I have a feeling that when Sandra was my age, she used to love music, too. Maybe in a few decades, when I’m sitting in my rocking chair, drawing in my sketchbook, I’ll remember this article and think back fondly to the days when life was simple.

Praethong Klomsum is a tenth-grader at Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California.  Praethong has a strange affinity for rhyme games and is involved in her school’s dance team. She enjoys drawing and writing, hoping to impact people willing to listen to her thoughts and ideas.

University Winner

Emily Greenbaum

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 

The Life-Long War

Every morning we open our eyes, ready for a new day. Some immediately turn to their phones and social media. Others work out or do yoga. For a certain person, a deep breath and the morning sun ground him. He hears the clink-clank of his wife cooking low sodium meat for breakfast—doctor’s orders! He sees that the other side of the bed is already made, the dogs are no longer in the room, and his clothes are set out nicely on the loveseat.

Today, though, this man wakes up to something different: faded cream walls and jello. This person, my hero, is Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James.

I pulled up my chair close to Roger’s vinyl recliner so I could hear him above the noise of the beeping dialysis machine. I noticed Roger would occasionally glance at his wife Susan with sparkly eyes when he would recall memories of the war or their grandkids. He looked at Susan like she walked on water.

Roger James served his country for thirty years. Now, he has enlisted in another type of war. He suffers from a rare blood cancer—the result of the wars he fought in. Roger has good and bad days. He says, “The good outweighs the bad, so I have to be grateful for what I have on those good days.”

When Roger retired, he never thought the effects of the war would reach him. The once shallow wrinkles upon his face become deeper, as he tells me, “It’s just cancer. Others are suffering from far worse. I know I’ll make it.”

Like Nancy Hill did in her article “Three Things that Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I asked Roger, “What are the three most important things to you?” James answered, “My wife Susan, my grandkids, and church.”

Roger and Susan served together in the Vietnam war. She was a nurse who treated his cuts and scrapes one day. I asked Roger why he chose Susan. He said, “Susan told me to look at her while she cleaned me up. ‘This may sting, but don’t be a baby.’ When I looked into her eyes, I felt like she was looking into my soul, and I didn’t want her to leave. She gave me this sense of home. Every day I wake up, she makes me feel the same way, and I fall in love with her all over again.”

Roger and Susan have two kids and four grandkids, with great-grandchildren on the way. He claims that his grandkids give him the youth that he feels slowly escaping from his body. This adoring grandfather is energized by coaching t-ball and playing evening card games with the grandkids.

The last thing on his list was church. His oldest daughter married a pastor. Together they founded a church. Roger said that the connection between his faith and family is important to him because it gave him a reason to want to live again. I learned from Roger that when you’re across the ocean, you tend to lose sight of why you are fighting. When Roger returned, he didn’t have the will to live. Most days were a struggle, adapting back into a society that lacked empathy for the injuries, pain, and psychological trauma carried by returning soldiers. Church changed that for Roger and gave him a sense of purpose.

When I began this project, my attitude was to just get the assignment done. I never thought I could view Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James as more than a role model, but he definitely changed my mind. It’s as if Roger magically lit a fire inside of me and showed me where one’s true passions should lie. I see our similarities and embrace our differences. We both value family and our own connections to home—his home being church and mine being where I can breathe the easiest.

Master Chief Petty Officer Roger James has shown me how to appreciate what I have around me and that every once in a while, I should step back and stop to smell the roses. As we concluded the interview, amidst squeaky clogs and the stale smell of bleach and bedpans, I looked to Roger, his kind, tired eyes, and weathered skin, with a deeper sense of admiration, knowing that his values still run true, no matter what he faces.

Emily Greenbaum is a senior at Kent State University, graduating with a major in Conflict Management and minor in Geography. Emily hopes to use her major to facilitate better conversations, while she works in the Washington, D.C. area.  

Powerful Voice Winner

Amanda Schwaben

Wise Words From Winnie the Pooh

As I read through Nancy Hill’s article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I was comforted by the similar responses given by both children and older adults. The emphasis participants placed on family, social connections, and love was not only heartwarming but hopeful. While the messages in the article filled me with warmth, I felt a twinge of guilt building within me. As a twenty-one-year-old college student weeks from graduation, I honestly don’t think much about the most important things in life. But if I was asked, I would most likely say family, friendship, and love. As much as I hate to admit it, I often find myself obsessing over achieving a successful career and finding a way to “save the world.”

A few weeks ago, I was at my family home watching the new Winnie the Pooh movie Christopher Robin with my mom and younger sister. Well, I wasn’t really watching. I had my laptop in front of me, and I was aggressively typing up an assignment. Halfway through the movie, I realized I left my laptop charger in my car. I walked outside into the brisk March air. Instinctively, I looked up. The sky was perfectly clear, revealing a beautiful array of stars. When my twin sister and I were in high school, we would always take a moment to look up at the sparkling night sky before we came into the house after soccer practice.

I think that was the last time I stood in my driveway and gazed at the stars. I did not get the laptop charger from

my car; instead, I turned around and went back inside. I shut my laptop and watched the rest of the movie. My twin sister loves Winnie the Pooh. So much so that my parents got her a stuffed animal version of him for Christmas. While I thought he was adorable and a token of my childhood, I did not really understand her obsession. However, it was clear to me after watching the movie. Winnie the Pooh certainly had it figured out. He believed that the simple things in life were the most important: love, friendship, and having fun.

I thought about asking my mom right then what the three most important things were to her, but I decided not to. I just wanted to be in the moment. I didn’t want to be doing homework. It was a beautiful thing to just sit there and be present with my mom and sister.

I did ask her, though, a couple of weeks later. Her response was simple.  All she said was family, health, and happiness. When she told me this, I imagined Winnie the Pooh smiling. I think he would be proud of that answer.

I was not surprised by my mom’s reply. It suited her perfectly. I wonder if we relearn what is most important when we grow older—that the pressure to be successful subsides. Could it be that valuing family, health, and happiness is what ends up saving the world?

Amanda Schwaben is a graduating senior from Kent State University with a major in Applied Conflict Management. Amanda also has minors in Psychology and Interpersonal Communication. She hopes to further her education and focus on how museums not only preserve history but also promote peace.

Antonia Mills

Rachel Carson High School, Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Decoding The Butterfly

For a caterpillar to become a butterfly, it must first digest itself. The caterpillar, overwhelmed by accumulating tissue, splits its skin open to form its protective shell, the chrysalis, and later becomes the pretty butterfly we all know and love. There are approximately 20,000 species of butterflies, and just as every species is different, so is the life of every butterfly. No matter how long and hard a caterpillar has strived to become the colorful and vibrant butterfly that we marvel at on a warm spring day, it does not live a long life. A butterfly can live for a year, six months, two weeks, and even as little as twenty-four hours.

I have often wondered if butterflies live long enough to be blissful of blue skies. Do they take time to feast upon the sweet nectar they crave, midst their hustling life of pollinating pretty flowers? Do they ever take a lull in their itineraries, or are they always rushing towards completing their four-stage metamorphosis? Has anyone asked the butterfly, “Who are you?” instead of “What are you”? Or, How did you get here, on my windowsill?  How did you become ‘you’?

Humans are similar to butterflies. As a caterpillar

Suzanna Ruby/Getty Images

becomes a butterfly, a baby becomes an elder. As a butterfly soars through summer skies, an elder watches summer skies turn into cold winter nights and back toward summer skies yet again.  And as a butterfly flits slowly by the porch light, a passerby makes assumptions about the wrinkled, slow-moving elder, who is sturdier than he appears. These creatures are not seen for who they are—who they were—because people have “better things to do” or they are too busy to ask, “How are you”?

Our world can be a lonely place. Pressured by expectations, haunted by dreams, overpowered by weakness, and drowned out by lofty goals, we tend to forget ourselves—and others. Rather than hang onto the strands of our diminishing sanity, we might benefit from listening to our elders. Many elders have experienced setbacks in their young lives. Overcoming hardship and surviving to old age is wisdom that they carry.  We can learn from them—and can even make their day by taking the time to hear their stories.  

Nancy Hill, who wrote the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” was right: “We live among such remarkable people, yet few know their stories.” I know a lot about my grandmother’s life, and it isn’t as serene as my own. My grandmother, Liza, who cooks every day, bakes bread on holidays for our neighbors, brings gifts to her doctor out of the kindness of her heart, and makes conversation with neighbors even though she is isn’t fluent in English—Russian is her first language—has struggled all her life. Her mother, Anna, a single parent, had tuberculosis, and even though she had an inviolable spirit, she was too frail to care for four children. She passed away when my grandmother was sixteen, so my grandmother and her siblings spent most of their childhood in an orphanage. My grandmother got married at nineteen to my grandfather, Pinhas. He was a man who loved her more than he loved himself and was a godsend to every person he met. Liza was—and still is—always quick to do what was best for others, even if that person treated her poorly. My grandmother has lived with physical pain all her life, yet she pushed herself to climb heights that she wasn’t ready for. Against all odds, she has lived to tell her story to people who are willing to listen. And I always am.

I asked my grandmother, “What are three things most important to you?” Her answer was one that I already expected: One, for everyone to live long healthy lives. Two, for you to graduate from college. Three, for you to always remember that I love you.

What may be basic to you means the world to my grandmother. She just wants what she never had the chance to experience: a healthy life, an education, and the chance to express love to the people she values. The three things that matter most to her may be so simple and ordinary to outsiders, but to her, it is so much more. And who could take that away?

Antonia Mills was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and attends Rachel Carson High School.  Antonia enjoys creative activities, including writing, painting, reading, and baking. She hopes to pursue culinary arts professionally in the future. One of her favorite quotes is, “When you start seeing your worth, you’ll find it harder to stay around people who don’t.” -Emily S.P.  

  Powerful Voice Winner

   Isaac Ziemba

Odyssey Multiage Program, Bainbridge Island, Wash. 

This Former State Trooper Has His Priorities Straight: Family, Climate Change, and Integrity

I have a personal connection to people who served in the military and first responders. My uncle is a first responder on the island I live on, and my dad retired from the Navy. That was what made a man named Glen Tyrell, a state trooper for 25 years, 2 months and 9 days, my first choice to interview about what three things matter in life. In the YES! Magazine article “The Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” I learned that old and young people have a great deal in common. I know that’s true because Glen and I care about a lot of the same things.

For Glen, family is at the top of his list of important things. “My wife was, and is, always there for me. My daughters mean the world to me, too, but Penny is my partner,” Glen said. I can understand why Glen’s wife is so important to him. She’s family. Family will always be there for you.

Glen loves his family, and so do I with all my heart. My dad especially means the world to me. He is my top supporter and tells me that if I need help, just “say the word.” When we are fishing or crabbing, sometimes I

think, what if these times were erased from my memory? I wouldn’t be able to describe the horrible feeling that would rush through my mind, and I’m sure that Glen would feel the same about his wife.

My uncle once told me that the world is always going to change over time. It’s what the world has turned out to be that worries me. Both Glen and I are extremely concerned about climate change and the effect that rising temperatures have on animals and their habitats. We’re driving them to extinction. Some people might say, “So what? Animals don’t pay taxes or do any of the things we do.” What we are doing to them is like the Black Death times 100.

Glen is also frustrated by how much plastic we use and where it ends up. He would be shocked that an explorer recently dived to the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean—seven miles!— and discovered a plastic bag and candy wrappers. Glen told me that, unfortunately, his generation did the damage and my generation is here to fix it. We need to take better care of Earth because if we don’t, we, as a species, will have failed.

Both Glen and I care deeply for our families and the earth, but for our third important value, I chose education and Glen chose integrity. My education is super important to me because without it, I would be a blank slate. I wouldn’t know how to figure out problems. I wouldn’t be able to tell right from wrong. I wouldn’t understand the Bill of Rights. I would be stuck. Everyone should be able to go to school, no matter where they’re from or who they are.  It makes me angry and sad to think that some people, especially girls, get shot because they are trying to go to school. I understand how lucky I am.

Integrity is sacred to Glen—I could tell by the serious tone of Glen’s voice when he told me that integrity was the code he lived by as a former state trooper. He knew that he had the power to change a person’s life, and he was committed to not abusing that power.  When Glen put someone under arrest—and my uncle says the same—his judgment and integrity were paramount. “Either you’re right or you’re wrong.” You can’t judge a person by what you think, you can only judge a person from what you know.”

I learned many things about Glen and what’s important in life, but there is one thing that stands out—something Glen always does and does well. Glen helps people. He did it as a state trooper, and he does it in our school, where he works on construction projects. Glen told me that he believes that our most powerful tools are writing and listening to others. I think those tools are important, too, but I also believe there are other tools to help solve many of our problems and create a better future: to be compassionate, to create caring relationships, and to help others. Just like Glen Tyrell does each and every day.

Isaac Ziemba is in seventh grade at the Odyssey Multiage Program on a small island called Bainbridge near Seattle, Washington. Isaac’s favorite subject in school is history because he has always been interested in how the past affects the future. In his spare time, you can find Isaac hunting for crab with his Dad, looking for artifacts around his house with his metal detector, and having fun with his younger cousin, Conner.     

Lily Hersch

 The Crest Academy, Salida, Colo.

The Phone Call

Dear Grandpa,

In my short span of life—12 years so far—you’ve taught me a lot of important life lessons that I’ll always have with me. Some of the values I talk about in this writing I’ve learned from you.

Dedicated to my Gramps.

In the YES! Magazine article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age,” author and photographer Nancy Hill asked people to name the three things that mattered most to them. After reading the essay prompt for the article, I immediately knew who I wanted to interview: my grandpa Gil.      

My grandpa was born on January 25, 1942. He lived in a minuscule tenement in The Bronx with his mother,

father, and brother. His father wasn’t around much, and, when he was, he was reticent and would snap occasionally, revealing his constrained mental pain. My grandpa says this happened because my great grandfather did not have a father figure in his life. His mother was a classy, sharp lady who was the head secretary at a local police district station. My grandpa and his brother Larry did not care for each other. Gramps said he was very close to his mother, and Larry wasn’t. Perhaps Larry was envious for what he didn’t have.

Decades after little to no communication with his brother, my grandpa decided to spontaneously visit him in Florida, where he resided with his wife. Larry was taken aback at the sudden reappearance of his brother and told him to leave. Since then, the two brothers have not been in contact. My grandpa doesn’t even know if Larry is alive.         

My grandpa is now a retired lawyer, married to my wonderful grandma, and living in a pretty house with an ugly dog named BoBo.

So, what’s important to you, Gramps?

He paused a second, then replied, “Family, kindness, and empathy.”

“Family, because it’s my family. It’s important to stay connected with your family. My brother, father, and I never connected in the way I wished, and sometimes I contemplated what could’ve happened.  But you can’t change the past. So, that’s why family’s important to me.”

Family will always be on my “Top Three Most Important Things” list, too. I can’t imagine not having my older brother, Zeke, or my grandma in my life. I wonder how other kids feel about their families? How do kids trapped and separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border feel?  What about orphans? Too many questions, too few answers.

“Kindness, because growing up and not seeing a lot of kindness made me realize how important it is to have that in the world. Kindness makes the world go round.”

What is kindness? Helping my brother, Eli, who has Down syndrome, get ready in the morning? Telling people what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear? Maybe, for now, I’ll put wisdom, not kindness, on my list.

“Empathy, because of all the killings and shootings [in this country.] We also need to care for people—people who are not living in as good circumstances as I have. Donald Trump and other people I’ve met have no empathy. Empathy is very important.”

Empathy is something I’ve felt my whole life. It’ll always be important to me like it is important to my grandpa. My grandpa shows his empathy when he works with disabled children. Once he took a disabled child to a Christina Aguilera concert because that child was too young to go by himself. The moments I feel the most empathy are when Eli gets those looks from people. Seeing Eli wonder why people stare at him like he’s a freak makes me sad, and annoyed that they have the audacity to stare.

After this 2 minute and 36-second phone call, my grandpa has helped me define what’s most important to me at this time in my life: family, wisdom, and empathy. Although these things are important now, I realize they can change and most likely will.

When I’m an old woman, I envision myself scrambling through a stack of storage boxes and finding this paper. Perhaps after reading words from my 12-year-old self, I’ll ask myself “What’s important to me?”

Lily Hersch is a sixth-grader at Crest Academy in Salida, Colorado. Lily is an avid indoorsman, finding joy in competitive spelling, art, and of course, writing. She does not like Swiss cheese.

  “Tell It Like It Is” Interview Winner

Jonas Buckner

KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory, Gaston, N.C.

Lessons My Nana Taught Me

I walked into the house. In the other room, I heard my cousin screaming at his game. There were a lot of Pioneer Woman dishes everywhere. The room had the television on max volume. The fan in the other room was on. I didn’t know it yet, but I was about to learn something powerful.

I was in my Nana’s house, and when I walked in, she said, “Hey Monkey Butt.”

I said, “Hey Nana.”

Before the interview, I was talking to her about what I was gonna interview her on. Also, I had asked her why I might have wanted to interview her, and she responded with, “Because you love me, and I love you too.”

Now, it was time to start the interview. The first

question I asked was the main and most important question ever: “What three things matter most to you and you only?”

She thought of it very thoughtfully and responded with, “My grandchildren, my children, and my health.”

Then, I said, “OK, can you please tell me more about your health?”

She responded with, “My health is bad right now. I have heart problems, blood sugar, and that’s about it.” When she said it, she looked at me and smiled because she loved me and was happy I chose her to interview.

I replied with, “K um, why is it important to you?”

She smiled and said, “Why is it…Why is my health important? Well, because I want to live a long time and see my grandchildren grow up.”

I was scared when she said that, but she still smiled. I was so happy, and then I said, “Has your health always been important to you.”

She responded with “Nah.”

Then, I asked, “Do you happen to have a story to help me understand your reasoning?”

She said, “No, not really.”

Now we were getting into the next set of questions. I said, “Remember how you said that your grandchildren matter to you? Can you please tell me why they matter to you?”

Then, she responded with, “So I can spend time with them, play with them, and everything.”

Next, I asked the same question I did before: “Have you always loved your grandchildren?” 

She responded with, “Yes, they have always been important to me.”

Then, the next two questions I asked she had no response to at all. She was very happy until I asked, “Why do your children matter most to you?”

She had a frown on and responded, “My daughter Tammy died a long time ago.”

Then, at this point, the other questions were answered the same as the other ones. When I left to go home I was thinking about how her answers were similar to mine. She said health, and I care about my health a lot, and I didn’t say, but I wanted to. She also didn’t have answers for the last two questions on each thing, and I was like that too.

The lesson I learned was that no matter what, always keep pushing because even though my aunt or my Nana’s daughter died, she kept on pushing and loving everyone. I also learned that everything should matter to us. Once again, I chose to interview my Nana because she matters to me, and I know when she was younger she had a lot of things happen to her, so I wanted to know what she would say. The point I’m trying to make is that be grateful for what you have and what you have done in life.

Jonas Buckner is a sixth-grader at KIPP: Gaston College Preparatory in Gaston, North Carolina. Jonas’ favorite activities are drawing, writing, math, piano, and playing AltSpace VR. He found his passion for writing in fourth grade when he wrote a quick autobiography. Jonas hopes to become a horror writer someday.

From The Author: Responses to Student Winners

Dear Emily, Isaac, Antonia, Rory, Praethong, Amanda, Lily, and Jonas,

Your thought-provoking essays sent my head spinning. The more I read, the more impressed I was with the depth of thought, beauty of expression, and originality. It left me wondering just how to capture all of my reactions in a single letter. After multiple false starts, I’ve landed on this: I will stick to the theme of three most important things.

The three things I found most inspirational about your essays:

You listened.

You connected.

We live in troubled times. Tensions mount between countries, cultures, genders, religious beliefs, and generations. If we fail to find a way to understand each other, to see similarities between us, the future will be fraught with increased hostility.

You all took critical steps toward connecting with someone who might not value the same things you do by asking a person who is generations older than you what matters to them. Then, you listened to their answers. You saw connections between what is important to them and what is important to you. Many of you noted similarities, others wondered if your own list of the three most important things would change as you go through life. You all saw the validity of the responses you received and looked for reasons why your interviewees have come to value what they have.

It is through these things—asking, listening, and connecting—that we can begin to bridge the differences in experiences and beliefs that are currently dividing us.

Individual observations

Each one of you made observations that all of us, regardless of age or experience, would do well to keep in mind. I chose one quote from each person and trust those reading your essays will discover more valuable insights.

“Our priorities may seem different, but they come back to basic human needs. We all desire a purpose, strive to be happy, and work to make a positive impact.” 

“You can’t judge a person by what you think , you can only judge a person by what you know .”

Emily (referencing your interviewee, who is battling cancer):

“Master Chief Petty Officer James has shown me how to appreciate what I have around me.”

Lily (quoting your grandfather):

“Kindness makes the world go round.”

“Everything should matter to us.”

Praethong (quoting your interviewee, Sandra, on the importance of family):

“It’s important to always maintain that connection you have with each other, your family, not just next-door neighbors you talk to once a month.”

“I wonder if maybe we relearn what is most important when we grow older. That the pressure to be successful subsides and that valuing family, health, and happiness is what ends up saving the world.”

“Listen to what others have to say. Listen to the people who have already experienced hardship. You will learn from them and you can even make their day by giving them a chance to voice their thoughts.”

I end this letter to you with the hope that you never stop asking others what is most important to them and that you to continue to take time to reflect on what matters most to you…and why. May you never stop asking, listening, and connecting with others, especially those who may seem to be unlike you. Keep writing, and keep sharing your thoughts and observations with others, for your ideas are awe-inspiring.

I also want to thank the more than 1,000 students who submitted essays. Together, by sharing what’s important to us with others, especially those who may believe or act differently, we can fill the world with joy, peace, beauty, and love.

We received many outstanding essays for the Winter 2019 Student Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we’d like to share some excerpts that caught our eye:

Whether it is a painting on a milky canvas with watercolors or pasting photos onto a scrapbook with her granddaughters, it is always a piece of artwork to her. She values the things in life that keep her in the moment, while still exploring things she may not have initially thought would bring her joy.

—Ondine Grant-Krasno, Immaculate Heart Middle School, Los Angeles, Calif.

“Ganas”… It means “desire” in Spanish. My ganas is fueled by my family’s belief in me. I cannot and will not fail them. 

—Adan Rios, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

I hope when I grow up I can have the love for my kids like my grandma has for her kids. She makes being a mother even more of a beautiful thing than it already is.

—Ashley Shaw, Columbus City Prep School for Girls, Grove City, Ohio

You become a collage of little pieces of your friends and family. They also encourage you to be the best you can be. They lift you up onto the seat of your bike, they give you the first push, and they don’t hesitate to remind you that everything will be alright when you fall off and scrape your knee.

— Cecilia Stanton, Bellafonte Area Middle School, Bellafonte, Pa.

Without good friends, I wouldn’t know what I would do to endure the brutal machine of public education.

—Kenneth Jenkins, Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla, Wash.

My dog, as ridiculous as it may seem, is a beautiful example of what we all should aspire to be. We should live in the moment, not stress, and make it our goal to lift someone’s spirits, even just a little.

—Kate Garland, Immaculate Heart Middle School, Los Angeles, Calif. 

I strongly hope that every child can spare more time to accompany their elderly parents when they are struggling, and moving forward, and give them more care and patience. so as to truly achieve the goal of “you accompany me to grow up, and I will accompany you to grow old.”

—Taiyi Li, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

I have three cats, and they are my brothers and sisters. We share a special bond that I think would not be possible if they were human. Since they do not speak English, we have to find other ways to connect, and I think that those other ways can be more powerful than language.

—Maya Dombroskie, Delta Program Middle School, Boulsburg, Pa.

We are made to love and be loved. To have joy and be relational. As a member of the loneliest generation in possibly all of history, I feel keenly aware of the need for relationships and authentic connection. That is why I decided to talk to my grandmother.

—Luke Steinkamp, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

After interviewing my grandma and writing my paper, I realized that as we grow older, the things that are important to us don’t change, what changes is why those things are important to us.

—Emily Giffer, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

The media works to marginalize elders, often isolating them and their stories, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with their additional years of lived experiences. It also undermines the depth of children’s curiosity and capacity to learn and understand. When the worlds of elders and children collide, a classroom opens.

—Cristina Reitano, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.

My values, although similar to my dad, only looked the same in the sense that a shadow is similar to the object it was cast on.

—Timofey Lisenskiy, Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, Calif.

I can release my anger through writing without having to take it out on someone. I can escape and be a different person; it feels good not to be myself for a while. I can make up my own characters, so I can be someone different every day, and I think that’s pretty cool.

—Jasua Carillo, Wellness, Business, and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore. 

Notice how all the important things in his life are people: the people who he loves and who love him back. This is because “people are more important than things like money or possessions, and families are treasures,” says grandpa Pat. And I couldn’t agree more.

—Brody Hartley, Garrison Middle School, Walla Walla, Wash.  

Curiosity for other people’s stories could be what is needed to save the world.

—Noah Smith, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Peace to me is a calm lake without a ripple in sight. It’s a starry night with a gentle breeze that pillows upon your face. It’s the absence of arguments, fighting, or war. It’s when egos stop working against each other and finally begin working with each other. Peace is free from fear, anxiety, and depression. To me, peace is an important ingredient in the recipe of life.

—JP Bogan, Lane Community College, Eugene, Ore.

From A Teacher

Charles Sanderson

Wellness, Business and Sports School, Woodburn, Ore. 

The Birthday Gift

I’ve known Jodelle for years, watching her grow from a quiet and timid twelve-year-old to a young woman who just returned from India, where she played Kabaddi, a kind of rugby meets Red Rover.

One of my core beliefs as an educator is to show up for the things that matter to kids, so I go to their games, watch their plays, and eat the strawberry jam they make for the county fair. On this occasion, I met Jodelle at a robotics competition to watch her little sister Abby compete. Think Nerd Paradise: more hats made from traffic cones than Golden State Warrior ball caps, more unicorn capes than Nike swooshes, more fanny packs with Legos than clutches with eyeliner.

We started chatting as the crowd chanted and waved six-foot flags for teams like Mystic Biscuits, Shrek, and everyone’s nemesis The Mean Machine. Apparently, when it’s time for lunch at a robotics competition, they don’t mess around. The once-packed gym was left to Jodelle and me, and we kept talking and talking. I eventually asked her about the three things that matter to her most.

She told me about her mom, her sister, and her addiction—to horses. I’ve read enough of her writing to know that horses were her drug of choice and her mom and sister were her support network.

I learned about her desire to become a teacher and how hours at the barn with her horse, Heart, recharge her when she’s exhausted. At one point, our rambling conversation turned to a topic I’ve known far too well—her father.

Later that evening, I received an email from Jodelle, and she had a lot to say. One line really struck me: “In so many movies, I have seen a dad wanting to protect his daughter from the world, but I’ve only understood the scene cognitively. Yesterday, I felt it.”

Long ago, I decided that I would never be a dad. I had seen movies with fathers and daughters, and for me, those movies might as well have been Star Wars, ET, or Alien—worlds filled with creatures I’d never know. However, over the years, I’ve attended Jodelle’s parent-teacher conferences, gone to her graduation, and driven hours to watch her ride Heart at horse shows. Simply, I showed up. I listened. I supported.

Jodelle shared a series of dad poems, as well. I had read the first two poems in their original form when Jodelle was my student. The revised versions revealed new graphic details of her past. The third poem, however, was something entirely different.

She called the poems my early birthday present. When I read the lines “You are my father figure/Who I look up to/Without being looked down on,” I froze for an instant and had to reread the lines. After fifty years of consciously deciding not to be a dad, I was seen as one—and it felt incredible. Jodelle’s poem and recognition were two of the best presents I’ve ever received.

I  know that I was the language arts teacher that Jodelle needed at the time, but her poem revealed things I never knew I taught her: “My father figure/ Who taught me/ That listening is for observing the world/ That listening is for learning/Not obeying/Writing is for connecting/Healing with others.”

Teaching is often a thankless job, one that frequently brings more stress and anxiety than joy and hope. Stress erodes my patience. Anxiety curtails my ability to enter each interaction with every student with the grace they deserve. However, my time with Jodelle reminds me of the importance of leaning in and listening.

In the article “Three Things That Matter Most in Youth and Old Age” by Nancy Hill, she illuminates how we “live among such remarkable people, yet few know their stories.” For the last twenty years, I’ve had the privilege to work with countless of these “remarkable people,” and I’ve done my best to listen, and, in so doing, I hope my students will realize what I’ve known for a long time; their voices matter and deserve to be heard, but the voices of their tias and abuelitos and babushkas are equally important. When we take the time to listen, I believe we do more than affirm the humanity of others; we affirm our own as well.

Charles Sanderson has grounded his nineteen-year teaching career in a philosophy he describes as “Mirror, Window, Bridge.” Charles seeks to ensure all students see themselves, see others, and begin to learn the skills to build bridges of empathy, affinity, and understanding between communities and cultures that may seem vastly different. He proudly teaches at the Wellness, Business and Sports School in Woodburn, Oregon, a school and community that brings him joy and hope on a daily basis.

From   The Author: Response to Charles Sanderson

Dear Charles Sanderson,

Thank you for submitting an essay of your own in addition to encouraging your students to participate in YES! Magazine’s essay contest.

Your essay focused not on what is important to you, but rather on what is important to one of your students. You took what mattered to her to heart, acting upon it by going beyond the school day and creating a connection that has helped fill a huge gap in her life. Your efforts will affect her far beyond her years in school. It is clear that your involvement with this student is far from the only time you have gone beyond the classroom, and while you are not seeking personal acknowledgment, I cannot help but applaud you.

In an ideal world, every teacher, every adult, would show the same interest in our children and adolescents that you do. By taking the time to listen to what is important to our youth, we can help them grow into compassionate, caring adults, capable of making our world a better place.

Your concerted efforts to guide our youth to success not only as students but also as human beings is commendable. May others be inspired by your insights, concerns, and actions. You define excellence in teaching.

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Essay on My Purpose in Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Purpose in Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Purpose in Life

Introduction.

Life is a journey filled with lessons and experiences. My purpose in life is to learn, grow, and contribute to the world.

I believe that learning is a lifelong process. I strive to gain knowledge every day, which helps me to become a better person.

Personal growth is important to me. I aim to improve myself continuously, overcoming challenges and growing stronger.

Contribution

I want to make a positive impact in the world. I aim to help others, and through this, fulfill my purpose in life.

In conclusion, my purpose in life is to learn, grow, and contribute.

250 Words Essay on My Purpose in Life

Life is a journey of self-discovery and purpose. It is a voyage that leads one to the realization of their significance in the grand scheme of existence. My purpose in life, as I perceive it, is to contribute positively to the world, continually learn and grow, and inspire others.

Positive Contribution

In the vast expanse of the universe, our individual existences may seem insignificant. However, I believe that each one of us has the capacity to make a positive impact. My purpose is to contribute to society’s welfare, be it through volunteer work, professional endeavors, or simply spreading kindness and understanding in my daily interactions.

Continuous Learning and Growth

Life is a continuous learning process. Each day presents new opportunities to grow, learn, and evolve. I am committed to lifelong learning, not just in the academic or professional sense, but in personal development. This involves embracing challenges, cultivating resilience, and fostering a growth mindset.

Inspiring Others

Lastly, I aspire to inspire. I believe that one of the most profound ways to make a difference is to inspire others to discover their own purpose and pursue it with passion. This could be through sharing experiences, leading by example, or providing support and encouragement.

In conclusion, my purpose in life is to contribute positively to the world, continually learn and grow, and inspire others. This purpose is not static but evolves as I journey through life, constantly shaped by experiences, insights, and personal growth. It serves as a compass, guiding my decisions and actions, and giving meaning to my existence.

500 Words Essay on My Purpose in Life

Life is a journey of self-discovery and self-fulfillment. It is a quest to find our purpose, the unique role we are meant to play in the grand narrative of existence. My purpose in life, as I see it, is to contribute positively to the world, to inspire others, and to continuously grow and evolve as a person.

Contributing to the World

I believe that each of us has a responsibility to make the world a better place. This does not necessarily mean grand, sweeping changes. Even small actions can have a profound impact. For me, contributing to the world means using my skills and talents to help others. As a college student, I have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and expertise in a particular field. My aim is to use this expertise to solve problems and create solutions that can improve people’s lives. Whether it’s through research, innovation, or direct service, I want to leave a positive mark on the world.

Another aspect of my purpose in life is to inspire others. I believe that we all have the power to influence those around us, to encourage them to strive for their dreams and to become the best versions of themselves. This can be achieved through leading by example, sharing our experiences, and showing empathy and understanding. I strive to be a source of inspiration for my peers, not by being perfect, but by demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges, and by showing that it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

Personal Growth and Evolution

Lastly, I see personal growth and evolution as a significant part of my life’s purpose. We are not static beings; we are meant to grow, learn, and evolve. This means constantly challenging myself, stepping out of my comfort zone, and seeking out new experiences. It also means introspection and self-reflection, acknowledging my weaknesses and working on them, while also recognizing and nurturing my strengths.

In conclusion, my purpose in life is a multifaceted one. It involves contributing positively to the world, inspiring others, and continuously growing and evolving. This purpose is not fixed; it is dynamic and will likely evolve as I journey through life. Nonetheless, it serves as a guiding light, helping me make decisions and navigate through life’s complexities. I believe that by living in alignment with this purpose, I can lead a fulfilling life and make a positive impact on the world.

This is my purpose, but each person’s purpose is unique to them. It is up to each of us to discover our own purpose, to find that unique path that leads us to fulfillment and allows us to contribute to the world in our own unique way.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Life
• Essay on My Happiest Moment in My Life
• Essay on My Best Day of My Life

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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• InterviewPenguin.com – Your best job interview coach since 2011

Interview questions answered: What do you want to accomplish in your life?

Life’s an amazing adventure , at least for the lucky of us, who weren’t born in a slum or with some incurable disease. And while the question about the existence of eternal life will always remain a mystery, another thing is certain: we are here, on planet Earth, and we have a life to live. But what should we do with it ? What should we aspire to accomplish? Sooner or later, we will ponder this uneasy question. And sooner or later, you will have to answer it , in a job interview, or in a school admission interview.

At the end of the day, the hiring managers (or the admission committee at school), do not expect to hear that you want to put a dent in the universe . But they want to hear about some goals and ambitions, as they reflect your values , and these are of a great interest to your future employer… What’s more, people who aim to achieve something–whether within their work or with their life, are the best employees . Because they have a reason to live, to go to work, and this reflects in their everyday motivation and attitude to work.

Let’s have a look at 7 sample answers to this question, or to its alternatives, such as “ What is your ambition in life? ” or “ What do you want to become in your life? ” My list includes both typical and unconventional (or philosophical) answers , and I hope you will find there something to use in your interview. Or at least it should inspire you to come up with some ideas…

7 sample answers to “What do you want to achieve in your life?” interview question

• I just want to get the most out of the opportunities I’ve been given . To become the best version of myself . I believe that many things we cannot change–such as our genetics, or the upbringing we had–this has a huge impact on us. Also the place where we were born, whether we were lucky on good parents and role models, and so on. But once we grow up and make our choices , we get plenty of opportunities to change something to better in our own lives, and in lies of people we have contact with, be it at work or in our private life. I do not want to let these opportunities pass, without taking them.
• I just want to be happy in my life, that’s my ambition, a simple definition, but it encompasses a lot of things. I want to have a healthy family, provide for the people I love, make some difference in a company where I work , stay healthy, and so on. Of course all these things demand some sacrifices, discipline, hard work. But I know that when I commit myself to my goals, I am happy making sacrifices, and doing the hard work. On the contrary, if I go to work with no other reason than to earn money , I won’t be happy…

* May also interest you : Answers to 15 most common interview questions .

• To be honest, I do not dream of any big accomplishments . It’s just not my way of thinking of life. I try to enjoy the present moment, to give my full attention to an activity I am doing right now –be it answering a phone call of a customer, peeling potatoes, running up the hill, or talking to you here in an interview. It’s not always easy to do, but it’s worth trying in every second of our earthly existence. Ambitions to change something in the world are an invention of our ego , and will eventually make us unhappy, always. Because even the biggest achievement is just an instant gratification and we will always want. That’s not a way to be happy in life. It’s a road to an abyss.
• I would like to change something to better in the indigenous community . I understand how difficult the life is for many of them, and that politics isn’t in their favor. But here I am, with my mission, trying to achieve equality , or at least make living a bit easier for them. That’s why I chose social work for my studies, spent years living with the indigenous people, and eventually applied for a job with your NGO . My personal mission is my reason to go on living and trying hard each day, because I believe I try to achieve something truly important in my lifespan.
• I simply want to maximize my potential as an athlete . To train hard, to do all the exercises, quality recovery, right diet, you name it. In order to do it I have to belong to a truly professional team, one that has only the highest ambitions , and do not want to play the second league in the races. That’s why I decided to apply for a scholarship at your university . I know the coaches here, the commitment of people in your athletics squad, and of course the results you achieve with your athletes. I believe that I can achieve my goals while studying and training here.
• Eventually, at some point of my life, I’d like to run my own business, a prospering hotel or restaurant. That is my long term ambition, to run a place where people won’t come only to eat, or stay. A place where they will come for an unforgettable dining experience . But I am too young to pursue this ambition, and I have no money to start with. At this stage of my professional career, I simply want to learn, gain experiences , and eventually get ready for pursuing my dream in the future. Your hotel is an ideal place to gain such experiences.
• I can answer your question with one word: balance . I am seeking balance in life, and I am sure that almost everyone does the same , though they may sometimes struggle to express it properly. The right balance of being humble and confident , balance of my work and family life, a good balance of activities during the day, and, before anything else, a mental balance, a certain state of consciousness rid of negative emotions , such as envy, anger, worry, and so on. It’s not an easy goal to achieve, I know. And maybe it is a lifelong journey , something that will always remain just an ambition, and ideal we try to reach but never will. Nevertheless, I will continue trying…

* Do not forget to check also: Where do you see yourself in five years from now?

Show some excitement for your dreams

Regardless of whether you talk about work-related goals, or some higher ambitions, you should speak with enthusiasm in your voice . They won’t believe you otherwise.

They should get an impression that you see a meaning in your life , or at least are certain there is a meaning, and you continue searching for it. And, in an ideal case, you should connect your employment in the company with this meaning . It’s not always possible to do, and it depends on the position you try to get. Check sample answers no. 4 and no. 5 for your inspiration.

* Special Tip : This isn’t the only difficult question you will face while interviewing for any decent job. You will face questions about prioritization, dealing with pressure, dealing with ambiguity , and other tricky scenarios that happen in the workplace. If you want to make sure that you stand out with your answers and outclass your competitors, have a look at our Interview Success Package . Up to 10 premium answers to 31 tricky scenario based questions (+ more) will make your life much easier in the interviews. Thank you for checking it out!

Numbers in the question: 10 things you’d like to accomplish in your life, or what you want to achieve in 3-5 years from now

Interviewers can make the question more difficult by adding a modifier to it. For example a time horizon (3, 5, or 10 years), or an exact number of things you want to achieve in your life (I’ve seen this several times as a topic for an essay students had to write as a part of a school admission process). the first one, time horizon, is the easier of the two. Just be realistic, and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same goes with your career. Think about those three or five years–what you can learn, what job you can have, what you can achieve for your employer, your family, for yourself.

If they ask you to name 10 things you’d like to accomplish, I suggest you to aim for variety . You should include on your list some goals for your personal and family life, for your health, for your work, and perhaps also some philanthropy. Needless to say, if you are religious or spiritual, such goals should also make the list. Let me give you just a very brief example (you should elaborate on it in your own essay):

• Achieve Inner harmony and satisfaction.
• Happiness and peace in my family.
• Build active and fruitful relationships with both my friends and colleagues.
• Never stop learning new things in life.
• Keep both my physical and mental health as good as possible, for as long as possible.
• Make a positive difference in a local community, perhaps with some charity work.
• Run a marathon under 3:30, or achieve some other endurance feat in my life.
• Leave my mark on the marketing industry, a field I’d love to work in.
• One day raise my children to become good people.
• Always stay humble yet confident that I can change something in the world to better.

Do not be afraid to philosophize in your interview

“What do you want to accomplish in your life?” is quite a philosophical question , and you should not hesitate answering it with a philosophical answer, pondering the meaning of life, thinking about your place in the world, etc.

You can even say that you do not dream about any achievements. As long as you base it on your personal philosophy (such as living in a present moment, see sample answer no .3), they will be satisfied with your answer. What is more, unconventional interview answers will help you stand out from the rest of the job applicants. In many cases, standing out is the most important thing in the interviews…

Ready to handle this one? I hope so! Continue your preparation for the interviews with one of the following articles:

• This job is repetitive. What will you do to stay motivated?
• How to dress for an interview?
• What are your weaknesses?
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What I Want To Be In Life (Essay Sample) 2023

Table of Contents

Introduction

Is It Safe to Pay Someone to Write An Essay and Is it realistic to expect a low-cost, High-Quality Essay from a Cheap Paper Writing Service ?

There is a reason why life coaches are in demand these days: everyone wants to live purposefully and make their days count.

It is true that discovering one’s purpose and source of happiness may be challenging. But it’s also true that by knowing what you want to do in life and constantly reflecting on them, winning in life can be realized.

What do you want in life? If you also have a similar paper to do on what you really want in life, Hire an Essay Writing Service to help gather your thoughts for you. Feel free to explore the rest of our site for essays on other interesting topics.

Essay Example on What I Want to Achieve In Life

Life is about striving. Everyone wants something that gives purpose and happiness. That’s why I believe it is important to reflect from time to time about what our life purpose is and what we are doing to pursue it.

Whenever I reflect on what I want to be in life, I examine the present roles I have and think about my desires.

What do I want in life? This paper will serve as a blueprint for my future plans. This will point me in the right direction, goals, and approach given my current resources.

It is my hope that looking back on this life plan will keep me motivated to accomplish tasks and pursue victory in all that I do.

Reflecting on My Role as a Student

As a learner, I strive hard to excel in my academics. I am aiming for great grades to build my credibility.

I also want to leverage my academic successes to expand my professional network based on the career path I have chosen. I want to accomplish a BSN or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. I want my knowledge to be used to provide compassionate care for critical patients.

My conviction is that good health should be on the top of everyone’s list of priorities. I am passionate about supporting others regarding this. I plan to do this not only by getting good grades but also by studying for my licensure. I will aim to top the NCLEX-PN and approach it with a can-do mindset.

Reflecting on My Role as a Family Member

I currently support my dad, mom, and siblings in small ways. I assist them in our own business whenever I can. I look after my nieces and nephews, as well as making time during the weekends for my siblings.

I plan to gift my first salary to my parents in the future. I want to show them that I appreciate their love for me. By continuing my studies and performing my duties at home, I believe that I can keep my family happy.

I know that this goal keeps me motivated. It also strengthens me whenever life gets complicated. Therefore, I should always keep the welfare of my family in mind in everything that I do. I hope to make them proud someday when my dream is finally realized.

Reflecting on My Role as a Member of My Community

I believe one important aspect in a person’s overall success is a person’s ability to give back. It is also important to recognize the role of community in maximizing one’s potential. I find that the people I admire the most are generally good citizens of their hometowns and countries.

I am considering volunteering at the local hospital to add value to my neighborhood. It will not only benefit my nursing career. It will also make me become more sensitive in addressing the community’s actual needs.

I believe that building relationships with those nearest me is essential to having a peaceful home and a more purposeful way of living.

There are several things that I strive for in life. I can see now that there are many steps I have to take to achieve completion. The road ahead will be laden with challenges, but I am prepared to face them with a positive perspective. I know that becoming successful does not happen overnight.

As I keep my eye on the prize, I will make it a point to remember one thing: it’s not about the money. It’s about making an impact on the world through the profession I’ve chosen. I will pay attention to the opportunities before me and put to work all the things my mother and father taught me.

I will work hard and always remember my purpose as I run after my dreams. I am determined to change lives through my skills and passion. I will make the most out of my school days and learn as much as I can to prepare for the years ahead.

In a couple years, I will reread this piece as a way of checking in on myself and my plans. I have high hopes that whatever I will be doing then will be aligned with what my heart is telling me today.

Someday, I want to be able to tell my kids that I identified a goal, ran hard after it, and made it happen. I hope I make them proud.

What Do I Desire Most In Life (a Short Sample)

When I think about what I want to do in life, I always go back to my True North: my passion. More than becoming a registered nurse, I really want to help people. I want to be in a position where I can easily access resources to do this. I also want to be equipped with the practical and technical skills to help people get better.

More than good grades, the best ways for me to get there is through hard work, a good rhythm, and a solid support system. This is why I am so grateful for my parents. With them as my motivation, I have focus and every incentive to succeed in my goals.

While not everyone agrees with the path I have decided to take, I am convinced that it’s the right life goal for me. Whether or not I am able to get financial aid, I will do my best to graduate with honors and make my teachers and friends proud.

Most people will have an opinion on how I choose to do things, but I am choosing whose opinions matter the most. I will filter out the rest according to how they align with my values.

How to Write a Conclusion Paragraph on What I Want to Be?

Look over what you have written so far and note the most salient points. String those thoughts together in a summary, synthesizing benefits and challenges, and coming up with a final reflection.

5 Examples of Needs and Wants In Life

Here are five different answers that people can give when asked about their needs and wants:

• a job they love,
• financial security,
• fulfillment,
• a family of their own,
• and inner peace.

Note that while these are general answers, you are more likely to uncover a variety of combinations depending on life experience.

Advice from EssayBasics :  buying term papers online at our reliable service is a good way to save your time.

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How Do I Want to Live My Life: My Vision for a Meaningful Life

• Category: Life , Sociology
• Topic: My Future , Personal Life

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