It's All About Perspective by Lily

It's All About Perspective by Lily - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I were fortunate enough to go back and give my younger self a pieece of advice I would tell them not to hyperfocus on the litte things and realize how much they truly matter. I struggled with worrying about every minor inconvenience in my life. All I should have done was be grateful for the experience I was gaining. Even when we have unfortunate things occur in our lives, we should not take them for granted but instead be thankful for the oppurtunity to grow in them. I realize now the moments when I would worry were so worthless. Worry helps no one.

I still struggle with worrying sometimes, but I remember the moment I realized it was all for nothing. On my 15th birthday I got a pilot's log book. The next day I flew a plane with my instructor, before I even got my permit to drive a car. The moment we took off I was worried I would mess up in the critical situations, but once we hit a steady altitude it was as if everything turned off from the world. I was in the sky flying and it is a moment I will never forget because eveything seemed so small.

My experience taught me how small my problems were and put them in a new perspective. I will forever be thankful for that flight and the lesson it taught me. I also learned the reason we struggle is not for us to worry, but to rise above our problems and conquer them. I hope in all I do I will help others learn this vital lesson.