THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE
By: Maelette O. Masbate
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit”, the famous Philosopher, Aristotle, once said.
I’m a low-maintenance kind of person, an average student to be specific. Getting a passing grade is more than enough for me. Though I always tried to avoid having a failing mark, I never whine nor agonize about receiving a grade lower than 2.5… but that was long before; back when I was still struggling to become the next Florence Nightingale; and when I was still pompously wearing my dirt-free, all-white uniform going on shifts from one community and or hospital to another.
But ever since I decided to relocate my search for knowledge and changed my career path from being a ‘life-saver’ to being a ‘life-giver’ like Shakespeare or Marilyn Monroe perhaps, I then began to seek and strive for excellence. After my period of adjustment as a new-comer in the University, I have ascertained that I too can get good grades, better grades in fact, if only I would strive harder and believe in myself that I can really do it.
I know that it’s not impossible for me to achieve my goals, that’s the reason why I never gave up on my self. True enough, after three semesters of almost reaching the cut-off average, on my second semester of my second year as a Mass Com student, I finally found my name on the ever famous ‘Dean’s List’ (DL). I know for some it doesn’t make any difference or it’s just out of the ordinary, but for me it had been one of my life’s crowning glories. From then on, I never stopped my hunt for fineness and thanks to the guidance of my great man up there, my God; I have been a consistent Dean’s Lister.
Some people would ask me why I’m doing such, like trying the best I can to stay on top, and without having to think deeply I would answer them in an instant, “This is the only way for me, as of now, to return and give back all the things, material or not, my parents have provided and done for me ever since the first day of my existence.” Although in a way my being a DL gives me self-satisfaction and helps me in boosting up my morale as well, but more than that, the pride and joy that I can see on my parents’ eyes every time I tell them the good news is way better and sweet than any achievement in the world there is. The feeling is like winning a million-dollar lottery times ten!
There’s this depressing side of being above the average though, sometimes it gets too strenuous and heartbreaking. Since they’ve gotten used with the idea, it seems natural for them for you to get good grades; like you’re expected to be the best because they believe that you’re the best. My parents might not have pressured me through words but the trust and confidence they’ve placed on me is more than enough to shake me and pushed me to finish what I’ve started.
But then again, no matter how fervent I am in giving back my parents what they deserve; I still believe that what I am going to do with my life solely depend on me. Even though I can get caught up with making sure I have no failing grades at times, but still I know how to have fun and be crazy sometimes. Remember, I was once a low-maintenance person, I can always pay a visit to the old me once in a while (except with the quality of work though, hehehhehe…)!
xoxo,
Mae =)
Mae =)
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