Symbolism, Imagery, and Theme of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost Ess

Symbolism, Imagery, and Theme of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost How can an author effectively convey a universal message to the broadest audience possible? Simple. The author must simply create a completely impartial narrator, devoid of sex, status, or age. The Road Not Taken is a poem told by an impartial narrator who has come to a crossroads in his/her life. The crossroads is represented by a forked path that leads through a forest. The setting is also impartial; the forest is anytime and anywhere the reader desires it to be. The narrator is forced to make a life-decision, thus changing the course of his/her life forever. Symbolism and imagery are used effectively to reinforce the main theme of the poem.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One instance of symbolism in the first stanza is "And looked down one as far as I could / To where it bent in the undergrowth;".   This symbol shows to me that the person who needs to make this life decision is trying to peer into the future to see what the outcome would be if he takes a certain path.   Ã‚  He cannot see past the immediate future, hence the ref...

Marketing Excellence: BMW Essay

? 1. What are the pros and cons to BMW’s selective target marketing? What has the firm done well over the years and where could it improve? When I see someone riding in a BMW, I know that they must be making good money. The stereotype for people who drive BMW’s is that they are rich, and these are the people that the people over at BMW target. The pros to targeting the higher income population is that they will be targeting people who are more likely to purchase their product. Since BMW is known as a luxury car, people who have lower incomes are less likely to purchase from them. The cons to the selective marketing are that by not advertising to lower income people, they have nothing to be motivated for. Someone could see a BMW ad, and be motivated to one day own one. Since the market is specifically the wealthier incomes, the lower income population may not be as aware of BMW. I see commercials for Mercedes all of the time now, and I know that I can’t afford one yet. As soon as I’m able too, I plan on making it a priority to purchase a Mercedes. The firm has done a great job of improving its vehicles over the years. They have added so many electronic features to its cars to stay up to date with technology. BMW also has come out with high-performance SUV’s for people with larger families and who are more active. To improve, I would suggest that they maybe create a model for the lower income population. Considering the majority of the population is middle-class or lower, there is a whole untapped market for BMW to reach. 2. BMW’s sales slipped during the worldwide recession in 2008 and 2009. Is its segmentation strategy too selective? Why or why not? I would say that their strategy is not too selective. During the recession, everybody struggled. So to blame BMW for their strategy that had made them so successful in the first place would not be fair. I believe that their strategy could’ve actually helped them during that time. Since BMW is so selective, they are only targeting people that have money anyways. So money that they spend on advertising wasn’t necessarily being wasted.

Sikhism and Hinduism Comparison - 1506 Words

The Status and Role of Women in Hinduism and Sikhism Renee Thompson 996976438 Professor Shiu Monday July 4th, 2011. Religion plays a crucial role in the daily lives of millions of people. This is even more evident in India. Hinduism and Sikhism are two very prominent religions in this nation (Pinkham, 1967). These two religions are closely linked but also have many distinct practices. Issues of the position of women in society, attitudes towards the caste system, and methods of worship are critical aspects of both religions. Among the many distinct practices that are shared between the religions of Hinduism and Sikhism is the status of women. In Hinduism, women can attain a certain status in that they can either become a nun or†¦show more content†¦Nonetheless, within the Hindu religion, women’s roles have evolved over time and women are going against the social norm of their tradition and their way of life in hopes of being treated in the same manner that Sikh women are within Sikhism (Desai, et al., 1995). Hindu women’s traditional roles in the household in India have chan ged over the past century. The influence of Western scholars as well as Sikhism views on women has brought change to the overall status and role of women in Hinduism so that Hindu women can be recognized in the same way that Sikhism women are. Western scholars who have studied Hinduism have written many books and articles on the sacred scriptures including reviews on the Vedas (hymns and ritual texts) and other religious scriptures that at one point were restricted from Hindu women. As a result of these reviews, the ongoing reconstruction of the social status and roles of Hindu women has brought about many new changes in Hinduism. Some of these changes include changes in education, health measures, problems of early marriages, the positions of widows, and the representation of women in governing bodies (Desai, et al., 1995). For example, within Hinduism now,Show MoreRelatedA Comparison of Sikhism and Hinduism Essay1329 Words   |  6 PagesA Comparison of Sikhism and Hinduism What is religion? There is much debate to the exact definition of religion but according to the book Introduction to World Religions, â€Å"It is commonly used to refer to those beliefs, behaviors, and social institutions that have something to do with speculations on any, and all of the following: the origin, end and significance of the universe; what happens after death; the existence and wishes of powerful, non-human beings such as spirits, ancestorsRead MoreWhat Is Spiritual Conditions May Impact The Success Of Patient s Treatment And How Helpful Human Faith?1394 Words   |  6 Pagescan be.The aim of this paper is to share the spiritual perspectives of people with diverse faiths and to analyze those with Christian philosophy of faith and healing. People from distant beliefs, which include Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam were interviewed. Summary of the interview, comparison of diverse belief systems and writer’s personal insights gained from the interview s are discussed in the paper. There are various religious beliefs, values and traditions among people around the world. NursingRead MoreRamayana1154 Words   |  5 Pageswhich is The Ramayana. The Law of Dharma will show in three mini scenes from the book and shown how it is represented to the real world. Finally, it will finish up with a brief comparison with Christianity and the Law of Dharma. Dharma is a key and center concept to the Indian philosophy and religion which is known as Hinduism. This religion dates all the way back to 5500 BCE which is found to be in the Neolithic and early Harappan period. The literal meaning by the term Dharma is â€Å"that which upholdsRead MoreSalvation And Moksha Vs. World Religions1862 Words   |  8 Pagesthe tradition of fasting. This is a sacrifice from several things during month number nine of the Muslim year called Ramadan. Fourth is the giving to the poor. It is required by Muslims to give a percentage of their money to the needy. Similar to Sikhism, giving back to the poor is an important part of Islam. The final and fifth pillar is the pilgrimage every Muslim must take, if possible, during their life to Mecca. There are many aspects of what is referred to as the hajj that pay respect to AbrahamRead MoreThe Culture of Beauty Essay873 Words   |  4 Pagesbeauty. The Western beauty is described as white, usually tan, thin, la rge breasts, small waists, and delicate features. Mostly all present day people from various races prefer a Western ideal of beauty. This idea of beauty is commonly used as a comparison tool no matter what race religion, or culture a person is. The Western culture and the never ending evolution of beauty has a huge impact on the Eastern ideal of beauty. More and more Eastern men and women have started to style and dress themselvesRead MoreDomestic Policy : Chinese Political Transition914 Words   |  4 PagesPopulation growth rate: 1.4% (2011, World Bank) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years (2012, World Bank) Literacy rate: 63% (2006 World Bank) Religions: Hinduism (80.5%), Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism 1.9%), Buddhism (0.7%), Jainism (0.5%), Zoroastrianism , Judaism Human Development Index: 0.554, 134th in the world (2012, UNDP, for comparison: 101th China, Pakistan 145th, 146th Bangladesh) economic data GDP: 1.758 trillion dollars (2013, IMF) GDP per capita: 1,414 dollars (2013, IMF) GrowthRead MoreComparisons of Creation Myths Essay2092 Words   |  9 Pagesimportant social and psychological force in the near East, specifically Akkad, in the period of the first Semetic Kings, c. 2500 B.C.,† showing another similar trait – a god or set of gods exists to create in each story (626). Joseph Campbell makes a comparison of how both Genesis and the Book of the Dead of Egypt share the same idea of their bodies belonging to their god in some way, or being reabsorbed into them at death (630-631). Others, like the Japanese and Iroquois creation myths, claim the EarthRead MoreEvaluate Postmodernist Explanations of the Role and Functions of Religion in Contemporary Society.1606 Words   |  7 Pagesserving the interests of men. Karen Armstrong argued that religion has not always been patriarchal and that in early history women were considered central to spirituality and archaeologists have found numerous symbols of the great mother goddess, in comparison there were few portrayals of male gods. With the advent of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, monotheistic religions largely replaced polytheistic religions. In all these cases god was portrayed as a male. Jean Holm argues that in the public sphereRead MoreWorld Religion5936 Words   |  24 PagesFOR ALL GROUPS  · What is the Green Movement and why is it considered to be the new global religion? Name________________________ Class Hour_______ CHAPTER 3-HINDUISM STUDY QUESTIONS (Pages 75-95) Group A 1. What features of geography might have contributed to Hindu religious sensibilities? 2. What features have enabled Hinduism to develop freely in many directions. 3. What were the chief features of Aryan religion? 4. Briefly describe the content or focus of the Vedas. Group B 1. DefineRead MoreValues of Different Religions3001 Words   |  13 Pageson a specific day at a specific time but only when they can, commonly on a full moon day. There is no hindrance to work according to Buddhist principles since they have no restriction on foods and they can go to the temple when they can. * Hinduism: A monotheistic religion that has one God but many representations of the same God. We are here facing a conflict where Hindus can pray either in family or at a local temple but it is not mentioned on what frequency basis. Tuesday and Fridays supposedly

Fluorescent Light Science Experiment

Learn how to make a fluorescent light glow without plugging it in! These science experiments show how to generate static electricity, which illuminates the phosphor coating, making the bulb light up. Fluorescent Light Experiment Materials fluorescent bulb (tubes work best. Its okay if the light is burnt out.)Any of the following:Saran wrap (plastic wrap)plastic report folderpiece of woolinflated balloondry newspaperanimal fur or fake fur Procedure The fluorescent light needs to be perfectly dry, so you may wish to clean the bulb with a dry paper towel before starting. You will get brighter light in dry weather than in high humidity.All you need to do is rub the fluorescent bulb with the plastic, fabric, fur, or balloon. Do not apply pressure. You need friction to make the project work; you dont need to press the material into the bulb. Dont expect the light to be as bright as it would be plugged into an outlet. It helps to turn off the lights to see the effect.Repeat the experiment with other items on the list. Try other materials found around the home, classroom, or lab. Which works the best? Which materials dont work? How It Works Rubbing the glass tube generates static electricity. Although there is less static electricity than the amount of electricity supplied by wall current, it is enough to energize the atoms inside the tube, changing them from a ground state to an excited state. The excited atoms release photons when they return to the ground state. This is fluorescence. Usually, these photons are in the ultraviolet range, so fluorescent bulbs have an interior coating that absorbs the UV light and releases energy in the visible light spectrum. Safety Fluorescent bulbs are easily broken, producing sharp shards of glass and releasing toxic mercury vapor into the air. Avoid applying a lot of pressure to the bulb. Accidents happen, so if you snap a bulb or drop one, put on a pair of disposable plastic gloves, carefully use damp paper towels to collect all the pieces and dust, and place the gloves and broken glass in a sealable plastic bag. Some places have special collection sites for broken fluorescent tubes, so see if one is available/required before putting the bulb in the trash. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling a broken fluorescent tube.

The Legal Drinking Age Of The United States - 965 Words

In the United States, when a man or women turn eighteen they are considered an adult. Being eighteen, they are not acknowledged as teenagers anymore. They have more freedom and more opportunities to become independent. Some of the opportunities an eighteen years old are given are the right to vote, open bank accounts, lease their own apartment or join the military. They have equal opportunities like adults over the age of twenty-one. However, anyone between the age of eighteen through twenty are not allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages or attend bars because they are considered underage. Anyone between the age of eighteen and twenty should not be denied the right purchase alcoholic beverage. They are mature and well aware of the consequences alcohol leads to. Allowing the legal drinking age to lower to eighteen, it will decrease unsafe drinking activities, decrease misdemeanors, and also decrease the percentage of drunk driving accidents. People are considered adults by the time they are eighteen they should have the equal right as any other adults, despite of their age. To begin with, reducing the drinking age to eighteen will reduce the percentage of unsafe drinking activates. Fraternity house party is an example of an unsafe drinking activity. There are under no supervision and majority of the people that attend are underage of the legal drinking age. Underage people tend to attend fraternity houses because it allows them to drink without anyone authorization evenShow MoreRelatedThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States Essay1385 Words   |  6 Pagesbefore when they went out drinking. It is a common fact that most teenagers have had a drink of alcohol before their twenty-first birthday. Most teenagers drink regularly or in some cases, binge drink. Nobody can prevent underage drinking. When people tell a teenagers they cannot have something, it inclines them to want it even more and teenagers will go to extreme lengths to obtain it. In 1984, Congress passed the law stating the legal drinking age in the United States was twenty-one (Alcoholism)Read MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States1270 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the world, the age when a child becomes an adult is at the age 18. Most people gain the right to vote, start to work for themselves, drive in certain countries. All of this being said, an additional privilege is the ability for one to be able to legally drink. The United States is one of the only countries who ´s legal drinking age is separate from the declared age of an official adult under the law. The idea of putting restrictions on a â€Å"legal† adult, makes the issue more complicatedRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States Essay1500 Words   |  6 PagesThe legal drinking age in the United States was ruled to be 21 in 1984, setting the country apart from almost all other western nations. These past 30 years have contained as much problems regarding the consumption of alcoh ol as one of the country’s biggest failures ever, the 18th amendment, otherwise known as prohibition. Also, the legal drinking age in the United States can be considered violation of states liberties, as the national government, albeit with good intentions, has intervened and onlyRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States2408 Words   |  10 PagesThe Legal Drinking Age The legal drinking age in the United States is 21, while in other countries the legal age ranges from 16-18. The argument in the United States is, â€Å"Should the United States lower its drinking age?† There are many sides to this argument but research has given many good points to back up both sides of the question. First issue is the difference between a teen’s brain with alcohol and an adult’s brain with alcohol. Another concern is that drinking at a younger age can help teachRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States1479 Words   |  6 Pages The legal drinking age in the United States has been argued for many decades. The current minimal legal drinking age is twenty-one but some want to lower between eighteen and twenty. The main focus of the research conducted and opinions of people are based on the minimal legal drinking age of eighteen. The research is taken from the 1970s, when the twenty-sixth Amendment was passed in the Constitution (Wage naar, 206). It was stated that eighteen is the â€Å"age of majority†, so thirty-nine of theRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States920 Words   |  4 Pages The legal drinking age has always been a debatable topic that people argue about all the time. Alcohol has been a drug problem for the majority of our young adults all around the world. The goal is to decrease the effects of underage drinking In the United States by keeping the legal drinking law 21. Every state had the right to their own legal drinking age, therefore during the 1970 1980’s some states had 21 while others had 18. This problem was carried over when teenagers got behindRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States1345 Words   |  6 PagesWith food, there comes a variety of cultural differences with beverages. One of the most popular drink markets in the United States is energy drinks. This industry has grown significantly in the past ten years, and many of the companie s are household names, such as Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar Energy. While they have mainstream success in the United States, many countries look down on these products because of their use of certain supplements, such as excess amounts of caffeine of taurine. SomeRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age Of The United States1783 Words   |  8 PagesPersuasive-Research Essay The legal drinking age in the United States is 21, while in other countries the legal age ranges from 16-18. The argument in the United States is â€Å"Should the United States lower its drinking age?† There are many sides to this argument but research has given many good points to back up both sides of the question. First thing is the difference between a teen’s brain with alcohol and an adult’s brain with alcohol. Another thing is drinking at a younger age can help teach culture.Read MoreThe Legal Drinking Age For The United States Government Essay1196 Words   |  5 Pagesmultiple policies that should be taken into high consideration for the United States government. However, one specific topic that needs to be addressed is the legal drinking age. As of now, the legal drinking age in America is 21. To some residents, this law is considerably reasonable. To others, having the drinking age of 21 seems unnecessary for multiple reasons. Most people would agree th at having the current drinking age allows for more responsible teens and young adults. Yet in most cases, thisRead MoreThe Legal Drinking Age At The United States Of America1698 Words   |  7 Pagesthe legal age to drink alcoholic beverages in the United States of America. Some otherwise intelligent people want to lower the legal drinking age to eighteen rather than keep it at twenty-one, the current federally mandated drinking age. In Time Magazine Mary Cary, author of Time to Lower the Drinking Age, puts forth the position that lowering the drinking age would actually be beneficial to society. Though lowering the drinking age to eighteen may lead to solutions to underage drinking, many

The Pepsi Generation Free Essays

Nancy Perry The Pepsi Generation MKTG305-01 Marketing Management Unit 4 Individual Project October 30, 2011 Abstract It takes many years to build a brand name. Pepsi is no exception. This paper discuses what Pepsi means in today’s market and how it has evolved over time. We will write a custom essay sample on The Pepsi Generation or any similar topic only for you Order Now It also discusses the evolution of Pepsi’s target market and their competition. Celebrity endorsements can sell products and this paper discuses Pepsi’s endorsers as well as their competitions. The Pepsi Generation Introduction Pepsi Cola has been around since the 1893. Invented by pharmacist Caleb Bradham, Pepsi was originally named â€Å"Brad’s drink†, it was renamed Pepsi Cola about ten years later (Bellis, n. d. ). The Brand in Today’s Market Pepsi is found everywhere. It is known by everyone. What started out as a drink designed to be enjoyed and to help in digestion has turned into a conglomerate that encompasses so much of our lives, our vocabulary and so many products that we see in our pantries. Today the Pepsi brand more than just a soft drink. It is also breakfast, juices, teas, side dishes, snacks, cereals and oatmeal’s, energy drinks, and even water (Brands, 2011). Pepsi products are found in grocery stores, convenience stores, discount retail stores, and restaurants. The Pepsi logo is found on everything from children’s toys to racecars and is a recognizable symbol all over the world. The Brand’s Evolution Pepsi has come a long way since its creation in Caleb Bradhams kitchen. Pepsi Cola went bankrupt in 1923 and was later purchased by the Loft Candy Company who tried to sell it to Coca Cola. Pepsi’s first jingle was broadcast across the nation in 1940 (Bellis, n. d. ). in 1966 Pepsi is sold in Japan and Eastern Europe for the first time. In 1970, sales exceed the $1 billion mark with 36,000 employees (Our History, n. d. ). the 1980’s saw Pepsi become the largest beverage company in the world with more than 300,000 employees (Our History, n. d. ). By 1990, Pepsi had acquired Frito-Lay, Gamesa, Smarfood, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 7Up, and many other enterprises (Our History, n. d. ). The Brand’s Target Market: Today and Yesterday In the early years of Pepsi, the target market was limited to the customers who frequented Bradham’s Pharmacy in New Bern. Sometime around 1910, Pepsi started an ad campaign featuring women and celebrities (Caleb Bradham (1867-1934), 2011). This was a very successful move on Mr. Bradham’s part. Women have always been the deciding force behind household purchases, and celebrities grab the attention of the consumer. Pepsi’s target market today is geared for a younger crowd. The celebrities that are employed to be in today’s commercials are well known to the younger generation. Of course, commercials are not the only way Pepsi attracts young people. Pepsi sponsors concerts for musicians that are popular with young people. They provide scholarships, arrange educational trips, they give away items like bicycles, cd players t-shirts, and concert tickets (Pepsi Market Targeting, 2010). Positioning Of Competitors Pepsi’s biggest competitor is Coca Cola. Positioning by distribution would not help Coca Cola since Pepsi is found virtually everywhere Coca Cola is found. Price positioning also would not help Coca Cola because their prices are about the same as Pepsi. Benefit positioning is a good way for Coca Cola to position itself in the minds of consumers but Pepsi has one thing going for it that Coca Cola does not: Pepsi has food products in its list of goods and Coca Cola does not. Target positioning is Coca Cola’s strongest method. They target the same young people that Pepsi does, the 15-25 year old range (Target Market of Coca Cola, 2010). Coca Cola targets upper lower and lower class students and family oriented people with busy life styles who are fun loving and who loves entertainment. They are looking for people who are part of the mobile generation who are on the go and enjoy listening to music and watching television (Target Market of Coca Cola, 2010). Coca Cola and Pepsi and similar products but they do have their differences. Advertising reinforces these differences, which can affect sales and pricing. Advertising also protects the brands from their competition. However, there is a downside; an increase in competitive advertising can have an undesirable effect on the overall sales of each of the brands (Linton, 2011). The Celebrity Face of the Brand: The Fit and the Target In 1984, advertising history was made as Michael Jackson and his brothers appear in Pepsi commercials. Other celebrities like Lionel Richie, Tina Turner and Michael J. Fox soon followed in Pepsi commercials (Our History, n. d. ). Rap singer MC Hammer and Ray Charles appeared in commercials in 1991. All of the celebrity endorsers for Pepsi were chosen to reach a specific target market. Britney Spears and Beyonce were chosen to reach the younger generation just as Michael Jackson was some twenty years earlier. Ray Charles was chosen to reach older consumers who grew up in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. Other Possible Endorsers for the Brand Pepsi has done a good job keeping up with the times, utilizing the celebrity status of the most popular and well-known people to sell their product. According to TV Guide, the three most popular celebrities are Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Mariah Carey. All three have appeared in Pepsi Commercials. Natalie Portman, Hilary Duff, and Zooey Deschanel have never endorsed Pepsi and would reach their target audience. Hilary Duff is a good choice because of her association with the Disney Channel. Young girls look up to her and young boys think she is pretty. Natalie Portman, whose fame skyrocketed with the release of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, would also make an excellent choice for Pepsi commercials. Zooey Deschanel is appealing to young people because she is an actress, a musician, a singer and a songwriter. The Competitors’ Endorsers Paris Hilton, LeBron James, and Christina Aguilera have all endorsed Coca Cola. However, Coca Cola tends to choose more athletic endorsers, like speed skater Apolo Ohno, and Olympic hockey player Angela Ruggiero (Coca-Cola’s Olympic endorsers, 2011). Coca Cola looks for more active athletic people, who are in good, physical condition. Perhaps because they want Coca Cola to be associated with a healthy lifestyle. They do have healthier alternatives than Coca Cola itself like juices and teas. Conclusion It is common knowledge that celebrities affect brand positioning. Advertising reinforces the brands image and helps to protect it in the brand’s market share from their competitors (Linton, 2011). References Bellis, M. (n. d. ). The History of Pepsi Cola. Retrieved October 28, 2011, from About. com: http://inventors. about. om/library/inventors/blpepsi. htm Brands. (2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from PepsiCo: http://www. pepsico. com/Brands. html Caleb Bradham (1867-1934). (2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from North Carolina History Project: http://www. northcarolinahistory. org/encyclopedia/113/entry Coca-Cola’s Olympic endorsers. (2011). Retrieved October 30, 2011, from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: http: //projects. ajc. com/gallery/view/business/020510coke_athletes/ Linton, I. (2011, June 06). Does Advertising Affect Brand Management? Retrieved October 30, 2011, from eHow Money: http://www. ehow. om/info_8548285_advertising-affect-brand-management. html Our History. (n. d. ). Retrieved October 28, 2011, from PepsiCo: http://www. pepsico. com/Company/Our-History. html Pepsi Market Targeting. (2010, January 13). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from About. com: http://inventors. about. com/library/inventors/blpepsi. htm Target Market of Coca Cola. (2010, June 14). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from Zimbio: http://www. zimbio. com/Coca-Cola/articles/AQ1BESn41bA/Target+Market+of+Coca+Cola TV Guide Most Popular Celebrities. (2011). Retrieved October 29, 2011, from TV Guide: http://www. tvguide. com/top-celebrities How to cite The Pepsi Generation, Papers

Nobodys Perfect free essay sample

The math quiz lay menacingly on the desk below. Although I had been attentive in class and had studied the lesson the night before, my brain was not clicking. My head started to boil with frustration and worry, and my ears turned crimson as the clock’s second hand raced rapidly around its circle. Five minutes left in the period and I had little done. I tried scribbling incoherent numbers and circling random answers to no avail. The clock struck 10:30; the bell blared from the speaker. My classmates began packing their belongings and shuffling toward the door, but I sat frozen, staring blankly at the quiz sitting on my desk. My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. L, walked to my seat by the window and asked that I turn in the quiz. Suddenly, I began to sob and exclaim how exasperated I was at the moment. Tears trickled down my pale cheeks while Mrs. We will write a custom essay sample on Nobodys Perfect or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Litchfield comforted me and explained that the quiz really was not that important. â€Å"But I failed!† I stammered in between sniffles. â€Å"I can’t fail a quiz; that’s horrible!† â€Å"You don’t have to be perfect,† Mrs. Litchfield calmly replied as she moved toward the crucifix mounted on the classroom wall of the Catholic school. â€Å"Look here. Jesus was the only perfect person to walk this earth. Trying to live up to that standard by being a perfectionist is just impossible.† Perfection is not possible. This stark realization had never before crossed my simple mind because until that point, I had not dealt with failure. This experience was a seminal point in learning how to deal with success and failure and how to understand what is truly important in life. Previously, I had put a great deal of pressure upon myself to perform at my peak in everything ventured into, but I began to learn at an early age how to have a balanced perspective in life. My competitive drive and work ethic are still integral parts of my identity, but being number one is not my epitome of success. The process of learning and challenging myself has replaced perfection as a more meaningful and beneficial path. This path was especially emphasized last year through the infamously difficult AP Physics class. In this class, test scores usually averaged out around sixty-five percent, and spending over an hour on a single homework worksheet was not uncommon. To succeed, one needed to thoroughly understand and apply the information and could not merely cram the night before tests. Failing a test once in a while was normal in this class but initially came with frustration. Anger and self-resentment gripped me after the first bad grade, but eventually I realized that failure is not always terrible. Keeping the class in perspective by not letting the adversity of a bad grade phase me, learning from my mistakes, and working hard not to repeat those mistakes made me a stronger student and helped earn an â€Å"A† in the second semester. One person who has always kept my adversity in perspective is my godfather, Uncle Joe. He was born with Fragile X syndrome, an inherited cause of mental impairment that leads to some intellectual incapability. He has always been my biggest fan in my athletic career. Even if I have a terrible game, he is consistently there to encourage and support me. This unconditional support has given me a positive attitude in both athletics and academics. I was placed on the B-team for basketball my freshman year. Although I was disappointed, I did not allow this to bother me and eventually worked my way up to the A-team by the end of the season and started on varsity my junior year. Avoiding dwelling on the negative and looking forward to the next challenge is crucial in my life. Not being afraid of failing has allowed for a great deal of self-discovery. By keeping an open mind to taking tough new routes, I have achieved previously unimagined goals, like the â€Å"A† in physics and start ing on the varsity basketball team. I have learned to live a more fulfilling life by embracing the processes of learning and hard work instead of being preoccupied with perfection. Accepting challenges as a fundamental part of life has made me who I am.