Overcoming Obstacles

Obstacles are something people face every day, whether it's a stressful day at work or losing a soccer game, these obstacles are what make us who we are. Education is a very powerful tool that can lead you through different adventures in life; it also pushes you to try hard and become a better person. I plan on furthering my education so I become a better person academically and to guide others in the future.

My Education plans started ever since I was a third grader. One day after a sunny afternoon, I went home and found my dad had been remodeling the living room, right away I went downstairs to put on my work boots and asked my dad if he needed help. My dad always liked it when I would help him so right away, he would have a big grin and his eyes shined so bright, I knew he was ecstatic to have his son give him a hand and with no hesitation he would always say yes. The first thing he would make me do is hold the tape measure. We would measure many studs and then cut them. As I worked I noticed I really enjoyed rebuilding models we destroyed. At the end of the day I

always thought to myself what if I had my own business so I could remodel and build houses from start to finish.

Time flew by as I reached sophomore year my parents started to have many problems with marriage.

I continued to assist my dad in as many jobs as possible but their marriage problems began to be a burden. I thought it would be a small argument that parents have but it started to be a constant every day bicker. Whenever they would have small arguments I would have to go to my room and distract myself from me hearing them, I’d start on homework or play video games but there was always that yelling of my parents arguing. There were times I would have to leave the house and go walk around so I wouldn't be stuck in between their conversation. As I would walk out I felt bad about myself and would think about the future. I would ask myself what if my parents ever got a divorce, would I end up going to college. Who would help me succeed, and support me while I try and accomplish something big in

life?

At first it wasn't affecting my everyday life but soon I would start to see changes. My grades started slipping and I felt as if I was loosing myself. All I wanted was my parents to not argue and to have those fun nights we used to have. Going out for ice cream on a hot summer day, planning a vacation to visit family, or even staying at home and having a movie night. My new distraction became to focus harder on my academics and pull myself together. I knew that my parents would not want me to fail and that became my new motivation, to reach my goals.

One of my goals is to have my own construction business and be able to build houses. Working with my dad has taught me several things. He's showed me that life isn't always easy that there are always bad days and good ones. To me, the most important lesson he has taught me is to not give up. Seeing him work and giving our family everything possible has amazed me. As a child he did not have the same opportunities I will have to continue my education and own his own business. Which is why I believe I owe it to him but most of all to myself. I want to propel myself to larger opportunities and broaden my spectrum in the successful options college and universities provide. Not only that but also build in skills I would like to strengthen.
My leadership skills are one thing I would expand on. I have done several things for my community like attending nursing home visits, sand bagging for the flood out District almost had, been a teacher for young kids, and helping my friends out. My friends from elementary would come over because they knew I had the equipment to fix their chains on their bikes or my dad and I would check their cars I always felt like I had a little business at my doorstep waiting for someone to come with something for me to change or rebuild.

A quote I live by is, "In life there is never shortcuts, you have to work for it". That's a quote my parents always say to me and I believe it. Life is not easy and taking shortcuts will only lead to an ultimate longer path to success. I know that my struggles in high school with my parents almost getting a divorce have affected me but I have surpassed it and feel like an obstacle in college would be something I can do. Having that strong support system, guidance, and the motivation is important. Those are three things I know will inspire me to continue my education. This will be one small step for me and one large step towards my future.