Personal Narrative: An Air Compressor Chose My Life

Growing up in a large family and a busy lifestyle as an athlete has shaped me into who I have become today. My life has been about being the best student, athlete, teammate, brother, son, employee and husband I can possibly be. Being involved in various sports with several different teams, going away to school, getting married have all been big parts of life for me some newer than others but all big in their own way. My life has always been about fighting through adversity to achieve a common goal at no matter what the cost getting to the finish line is something that must be achieved no matter the circumstances. Growing up I was always taught to work hard to achieve your goals no matter what it takes quitting is not an option. If you get yourself in to something and commit it’s up to you to finish what you started. Growing up in a big household with four brothers and sisters there was never a dull moment as something was always happening. It was enjoyable to grow up with so many personalities in my house it taught me how to deal with different issues that others face each day, and to always take others into consideration when making decisions. Being the second youngest in the family I saw my older siblings move out and took it upon myself to be the role-model for my youngest sister and show her that if you make smart and rational decisions good things come from doing so.

The day my parents drove into the driveway with a Jeep was one of the most exciting days in my life. Although it would be six long months before I actually had a driver's license, the Jeep represented freedom. Still to this day, I am grateful for the privilege to roll down the top and blast my music. But, I’m still a kid with a desire to one day go from zero to sixty in less than three seconds. The Jeep is enjoyable but I hope one day earn enough money to buy a Dodge Hellcat for many reasons.

In conclusion, winning is always a great way to end a competition but it isn’t the only option. By accepting and expecting defeat a person will learn to have self confidence. In which teaches them to never abandon hope. Hanging on to hope allows people to not be ashamed of losing. Without shame or embarrassment everyone is truly enjoying the time spent with his/her

It all started as a passionate love towards the sport, then came as a dream to be one of those guys you see on t.v riding their bikes down a mountain, then became reality, and then….I was there on those mountains. Breathless. Just staring down below me as if I was a bird looking down from the clouds. I could taste the pine from the trees below and beside me. The taste was so surreal. And for a split second I couldn't believe where I was, and who I had become. I was so happy to be where I was, and was sure my mom was looking down on me today, and smiling from ear to ear seeing her son fulfil his dream.

As I got turned onto my back, fighting for my life, the referee’s hand slaps the mat, and my career of wrestling was over. Throughout all the times I worked out and practiced as hard as I could, my only desire for wrestling was to go to states. Knowing I had the potential, my wrestling coach used life lessons to motivate me throughout the obstacles I faced. Although I never went to states, the lessons I’ve learned from the sport apply to any desire I have in life today. Furthermore, I’ve learned that “some desire is necessary to keep life in motion” to accomplish the goals I have in life.

During both tennis and Mountain biking I learned how to cooperate and work as a team, and how to work hard from hours of riding in wind, rain, heat, and cold climbing yet another endless hill to achieve my goal. Both the tennis team and mountain

Tournaments were usually on the weekends when my parents could not get off of work to watch. Although this was difficult for me, it has shaped me into who I am today. I have evolved into a much more independent person. When my family was not there to support my every decision, I learned to do so myself, forced to become self-reliant. I don’t have to rely on others to reach a goal or get the job done, but take it up upon myself. Because of this independent nature, I am confident in myself and decisions, and can control my own destiny. I have the ability to choose what actions to take and where I want to go in life, all because of self-reliance. This is beneficial for me because at a young age, I was already prepared for the real world and what was to come once I left for college. Although, when the family does get together, I learn to be grateful for what I have, and my independence leads to a more neighborly

I went into cross country with everything to gain and nothing to lose. That was a major help in forming myself into the role of team captain. Regardless of how hard it seemed at times I kept remembering that these weren’t just short term morals and things I was working toward; they would help me the rest of my life. No matter where I go in life and what I end up doing, I plan on continuing to have an admirable work ethic and aspire to be a good leader in whatever situation I’m thrown

From the second grade through college I competed on various sports teams, with track and field as the primary sport. Although athletes compete as individuals I learned that nothing can be accomplished without a team effort. I also served as the Business Manager for my Virtual

The author has had a lifetime of experience with athletics in multiple sports as an athlete, as a coach, and now as an athletic director at a high school. As an athlete that was highly competitive, his mindset was to always work hard and do whatever it took to win. About a year after all of his college eligibility has been completed his good friend took a job at a high school in San Bernardino as a water polo coach and asked him to come out to the pool to teach his boys a few things. The author took on an assistant coaching position from that point on for the next 6 years because he loved teaching the athletes what it was to not only be a competitor but to be a competitor the right way, through hard work and respecting the game. He eventually took over the program and progressed from a coach who wanted to desperately win to a coach that wanted his kids to be successful at everything they attempted to do above all else. That mindset has spilled over into his job as an athletic administrator at a new high school.

When I was in seventh grade my mother, against all odds, convinced my awkward, out-of-shape self to join the football team. In spite of my initial begrudging attitudes, by the season’s conclusion, I had made numerous new friends and enjoyed the experience of playing a sport enough to join track and field that spring. Eagerly, I continued with athletics in high school, training vigorously during the off season. Like a character leveling up before a boss fight, I trained with intensity, lifting weights four times a week, gradually improving on my personal records each time until I was far stronger than I had ever been. I had heard the vague platitudes since I was a kid, but sports truly taught me the meanings of commitment and discipline. As the years passed, the brotherhood formed between my teammates and I became unbreakable. I believed without a doubt that every one of my teammates would give his all for me, and I would do the same for them. Because of athletics, I have become healthy, mentally and physically stronger, and I have friendships I will cherish

Though I have dedicated a substantial amount of time and energy into a multitude of sports over the years, it has been easiest for me to be aware of the lessons that I have taken away from

Every individual choice made throughout someone's entire life ultimately come together to make up who they are. Personally the situations I have been in, the people around me, and the activities that I participate in have affected me the most. Since I was a small child, I have had a negative home experience overall. Through the challenges that have been placed before me, ranging from struggling with parents who are addicted to drugs to becoming adopted, I have never given up on the dreams I yearn to achieve. I have learned that with hard work and tolerance nothing is impossible. The determination to complete all that I intend to do has been one of my most prominent traits. Not only has this mindset allowed me to thrive in school, but in athletics as well. I have become more ambitious because of the competitions, and most importantly, more selfless because of the teamwork that is required to partake in the organization.

My self esteem and independence were tested on numerous occasions as I was hoping to investigate and improve in this sport. After months of practice, games, and research, I was able to learn more than just about the sport itself. The experience influenced me because I became more aware of myself (skills and struggles), my teammates, and other teams though various aspects. I grew in many aspects in this long but significant journey as I spent hours putting in time and energy in this

As I’m nervously pacing back and forth, listening to the clattering and banging of the air conditioning system, I continuously think of how the events of tonight could go. Thoughts of unforetold incidents and malfunctions are racing through my mind. What if the she doesn’t show? What if there’s not enough food or I mess this up in some grand way? I decided to stop thinking about it and be productive. I accompany Freddie, the mechanic who is fixing the air conditioning for tonight. “Hello, Freddie. How are things coming along? Would you like any refreshments?” I force through anxiety filled thoughts of the night, socializing has never been a strong point of mine. “That would be great, thanks Mister.” Freddie is a smart man, but not much for