The Art of Moving Forward by Janae

The Art of Moving Forward by Janae - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I reflect and take a glimpse into my past, I see not only a scared young girl, but a strong person who kept going no matter what. Regardless of what obstacles ventured her way; the mental and physical strain it took to keep pushing forward—that young girl never gave up. And looking back, I’m so grateful for being that strong person who still withheld a pint of hope even when matters felt meaningless. So, when I take a stroll down memory lane to visit my younger past self, I will tell her a personal message that I’ve held very dearly, even now. It is a mix of quotes, both infamous and personal, that has shaped me into the person I am and lets me know—to never give up.

I will tell my younger self: “Que sera, sera—what will be, will be. Accomplish your goals, make that sacrifice, and let nothing stop you from being the best you can be! Live your life knowing you did the best you could do. No matter how difficult life’s obstacles may become, you must stay true to yourself in the end. When in doubt, take a deep breath in—and out—everything will be okay. You must make the best out of the least, make the best out of the best, and make the best out of the rest of life’s occurrences. There will always be times in which life seems tough, but your goal in life is to never give up. Remember the 3 P’s—be patient, be positive, and trust in the process of life itself. Trust in trust.” And most importantly, trust in God and the path He has set for you. Never lose sight of the Lord. Never lose hope nor faith. Stay strong, stay loved, and stay blessed. You’ve got this.

Within my past experiences and encounters, there were times when I lost sight of what it was to live and be. I lost sight of the person I was aiming to become and got sucked into a deep hatred for both the world and myself. I began losing myself, succumbing to a depression that no one was aware of. I was afraid, and I was alone—lonely. So to give myself this piece of advice is to lift a heavy weight off my shoulders by replacing it with love and understanding. No matter what may drift in or out, no matter what good or bad may come, things will always be okay. Stay strong when things seem to go off path, and most importantly, remember that failure is not a loss, but a redirection into a better plan.

I’ve gone through many struggles growing up, and I know that telling myself these pieces of advice will aid me in becoming a much stronger person than I was. It will allow me to gain the understanding that not everything is my fault. That it’s okay to cry, always let it out. And at times, we do give up. We do lose ourselves in the process of gaining understanding, wondering what, when, where, why, and how. But what matters most is how we pick ourselves up and overcome it.