A positive influence can quite literally push a being forward without ever physically moving them. It is not only symbolically, but also in the form of his legacy that my grandfather has always been the helping hand available at my lowest points. The chain I received from him as a toddler and have always carried since acts as not only a solution for every dark cave I get lost, but also a hand that pushes me forward and has essentially shaped my life by emphasizing the importance of righteousness.
A while back, I was a very naive and nonchalant toddler. I would almost say I was the physical embodiment of carelessness and procrastination, only in it for the fun ride. An obvious flaw of mine inspired fear in the eyes of my family as my path towards any type of success wasn’t exactly shaped perfectly. My grandfather in particular expressed his worry as he’d basically devoted the moments we had together towards seeking for my well being. The diligent man relentlessly explained how hard work and great values would be the key to my desires. Despite my ignorance, he truly understood me and never doubted my capabilities and potential once in his life. Shortly before he passed away, my grandfather gifted me a gold cross that was far more powerful than I could have ever imagined. Turns out, my grandfather never left me, and his preaching I will never forget.
First, the cross has been a constant reminder that motivation and willingness to hammer away will always dig me out of any dark cave that entraps me. Though a very metaphoric statement, it quite literally does push me through any challenge I may encounter. For example, exams may be one of the most stressful periods of time one may endure. However, my cross never fails to keep me calm and remind myself how simple this may be(even if it requires lots of effort). My grandfather is always there whispering in my ear that my hard work only makes my path towards my desires shorter which essentially serves as immense motivation. Distractions simply fade away as I envision success which becomes more and more defined as my effort level increases. Quite honestly, my gold chain is basically a cheat sheet for any exam.
“However, something held me back before I even had the chance to follow through with my malicious intentions”
Though a hand pushing me forward may be advantageous, I have always resented cheating as my grandfather constantly emphasized the necessity of displaying righteousness. Being morally right serves as not only self satisfaction, but also helps me maintain a sane mind and eyes that see the world clearly. Any malevolent actions have only hurt my grandfather in the past as he’s told me countless times about the one time he lied. The man worked like an animal as an immigrant in Montreal, and for that he treated himself to some extra food from the bakery where he worked. Some mornings, the manager would be perplexed as my grandfather would fake a surprised look when realizing the food has magically vanished. The smart scheme was ripped apart one day costing him his job and basically the only form of support he had for his family. But how could such a simple and basically harmless act cost him years of pain as he searched every little corner of the city for a job that would hire a thief? A complex question that could only be solved by a moral mind. A realization such as this one could only help me in every aspect of life. Though it may not be stealing, any immoral action could have larger consequences than expected. In fact, they are identical to illusions in the sense that the true outcome is never obvious. Whenever I meet someone for the first time or acquire a deeper relationship with an individual, my grandfather is never shy to remind me that being empathetic and polite will only benefit my relationships and therefore, my life.
The entirety of my life has been positively impacted by the morals he preached. My relationship with a certain individual was created thanks to my grandfather reminding me to be a virtuous person. A while back, I witnessed an act of bullying on a hockey team I had just been introduced to. Kids taunted and teased a particular boy and were pleased by the sight of his face filled with tears. Like imps, they would not stop and enjoyed every second of it. As an outsider, I felt it was necessary to join in order to be a part of the team. However, something held me back before I even had the chance to follow through with my malicious intentions. My grandfather, of course, enlightened me and allowed me to display empathy as I helped the young boy and chose to remain an outsider. The kid I helped is now my best friend.
Essentially, the gold cross, though tangible, represents my grandfather preaching the importance of diligence and righteousness as I grow to accomplish a fulfilling life. Could a cross such as mine perhaps clear the minds of criminals or ignorant beings as they attempt redemption?
This essay was maybe one of my weaker essays of the year. It is something that I have to work on because i had to use a lot of symbolism and metaphors in order to describe what i was trying to say rather than directly saying it. I think i could have spent more time working on grammar and ideas as they could have been a lot clearer.