Mark Twain the father of American literature said, “I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can't find anybody who can tell me what they want.” Helen Keller on the contrary would have told Mark Twain her ambitions and objectives she wanted to accomplish in her life. Helen Keller is an inspirational American symbol because of her ability to achieve her aspirations, regardless of the tribulations she had to overcome. Being deaf, and blind Helen Keller discovered what she wanted in her life and through her passion for writing, and the American literature she found who she really was. Helen Keller demonstrated that finding your identity is not easy but when achieved there is a certain satisfaction that no one can take away from you. I have found my comfort zone and just like Helen it was not an easy task, but finding my identity makes grounded to the world I live in. My identity is who I am, it guides me through life like a flashlight in a dark cave. Without my identity, I am stripped away from my drive, and focus to be whatever I want to be in my life. I am who I am because of my family and the values they influenced me to hold my hat too. My perspectives and beliefs on this world also shape my identity. Lastly, the sacrifices I have witness with my family go through is the foundation in which my identity lye.
My culture, and my values instilled in me through my family is the main reason I am who I am. In “The most important Day” Helen Keller said, “Have you ever been at sea in a dense fog when it seemed as if a tangible white darkness shut you in “ I was like that ship before my education began.” I am also like that ship in a dense fog, but the only way I could escape that fog is through my principles I learned through my parents. As an observing child, I started to see that the only thing you have as a person is your integrity. My parents were the biggest example to me of integrity. They always paid their bills on time, never got into a bad car contract, or house contract. They understood that your credibility is the key to succeed in this world. If you cannot keep you word then no one will trust you. The second trait I learned as a child that made me who I am is honesty. Growing up in Lawrence, a lot of people try to get away with whatever they can. Did not matter if it was a student trying to get away with homework, an athlete trying to skip practice for a sports team, or an adult lying on tax returns, I was surrounded by people always trying to divert from honesty. Artist Kanye West said, “Everything I’m not, made me everything I am”, and in this scenario being surrounded by lies and deceits made me straightforward and truthful. Last but not least hard work, is what I am known for and what my culture is based on. Every day it snows my mom and dad get up every day at 6:00am and shovel their driveway and sidewalk. My parents always go to work, and their always on time regardless if their tired, or feel overworked. I use to think my parents were just structured people with principals, until I realized that their just hard working people with principals and structure. These values instilled in me are the foundations where my beliefs and perspective about this world lie on.
To me life is about following your dreams and catching your ambitions by the throat and not letting it go. In the article “The Most Important Day” Helen Keller said, “ The most important I remember in all my life is the one on which my teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan, came to me.” It was the most important day for her because she had an opportunity to capture her dream through this women. Everyone works hard to achieve what they want. When you play sports, athletes will strive to be the best player on the team. When you apply to a job you want to be selected instead of the other applicants. When you go to school you want to have the highest average in the class. To strive to your goals or to succeed you have to cease any opportunities that are presented to you. For example, if you get an interview for a job, take it as serious as you can and capture that moment to show your employer why you should be hired than anyone else. Whatever your goal is make the best of that opportunity. Having confidence in yourself is essential to your identity. Life is about survival of the fittest. Coming from the city and not having any connections I came to the realization that you have to create your own opportunities. You have to create your own network of peers, and through education become successful. To take on any big goals in your life you have to have confidence and believe in yourself. The sacrifices I have gone through are the reasons why my beliefs about this world are so strong. Though your dreams might hard and challenging if you can cease an opportunity, and have confidence in yourself, you can overcome any obstacle.
My parents came from Dominican Republic to America during their adolescence. They sacrificed their friends, and lifestyles from their homeland to seek a better life for their kids and themselves. The moment they came they started to look for jobs and find a household to live in. My dad put my mom through school and she became a nurse in Pentucket Medical, and my mom supported my dad through his job creating fabric and clothing materials. By sacrificing a life style in Dominican Republic, working hard, being honesty, believing in one another, and ceasing an opportunities they became successful. I am who I am because of my parents. What they have gone through I have no excuse to be whoever I want to be. My ambition, my drive to be someone, and my morals and values are because of my parent’s sacrifices, and values they believe in.
In conclusion, my family, my beliefs, and my sacrifices forms my identity. As I continue to grow in this world, and new experiences come in my life, I know I will only develop as virtuous, hardworking human being always striving to reach his potential. Natalie Goldberg in the article “Be Specific’, said “When we know the name of something, it brings us closer to the ground. It takes the blur out of our mind; it connects us to the earth.” My name is Luis Puello, and I value integrity, honesty, and hard work. My beliefs in this world will keep my strong to overcome adversity and I will sacrifice to achieve my goals like my parents did.
