by Lorna

by Lorna - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

I am scared of optimistic people. Those with the ability to manage a smile in hardships, in contrast to my
growing pessimism. Causing me to believe that they engage in toxic positivity and naivety.
But by serendipity, I came across stories from three individuals who captured my curiosity. Motivational
speaker W. Mitchell a burn victim and survivor of a motorcycle and plane crash. Guitarist Tony Melendez who
has a birth defect from thalidomide. And Youtuber and Writer Rachel Esdaille who has cerebral palsy.
***
They all shared a commonality in their pursuit of passion. Through them, I saw the value of resilience
and faith in the wake of hardship. I learned the importance of self-belief and acceptance of self.
***
The summer before senior year I watched two varying media. A sports comedy show and a TED talk. To
my surprise, they were the missing piece to the puzzle of my implicit bias.
In The Sports Comedy - Ted Lasso:
I was very confused by the protagonist's response to public ridicule, often thinking he was too gullible to
notice. With the way he dealt with things I assumed he was a happy-go-lucky guy that just reels in joy. But I
was wrong. I learned he was in the midst of a divorce and dealt with anxiety attacks and grief.
Unexpectedly I realized the importance of mindset and attitude. That although you can’t control your
life's trajectory or how people treat you you can control your response. Instead of being judgemental Ted Lasso
chose to be curious and didn’t see other people's attitudes toward him as a reflection of him but them as an
individual.
***
In the Ted talk: “Why thinking about death helps you live a better life” - Alua Arthur
The quote: “What must I do to be at peace with myself so I may live presently and die gracefully,
holding both at the same time?” stands out to me.
Alua Arthur highlights the importance of embracing present moments, finding worth in daily actions,
and acknowledging morality to release the ego’s grip. In her segment on “Feeling Everything,” I learned the
importance of holding on to both positive and negative experiences and feelings and that they are the wake of
human experience.
I candidly decided to delve into self-reflection, a process that proved to be challenging as I actively
sought memories of positive moments. I recollected moments of community and shared joy, such as creating
abstract and floral art for my classmates or the entire cafeteria harmonizing with “Keyshia Cole - Love” in 12th
grade, which brought me a wave of warmth. Similarly, I reminisced on simple yet precious moments like
sharing cupcakes, crafting funny Mad Libs, and engaging in heartfelt laughter with my family.
Simultaneously, I confronted painful instances, from hurtful comments and instances of casual racism to
feelings of loneliness, insecurity, and self-doubt. This journey through the highs and lows of my past revealed a
crucial realization: as my pessimism grew, so did my reluctance to accept and forgive others, a pattern that
proved detrimental to my well-being.
***
To say the least, my “fear” has subsided. Through this reflection, I've come to understand that the key to
personal growth lies not only in embracing the positive moments but also in acknowledging and forgiving the
painful ones. Through gratitude, forgiveness, and a desire to grow through self-assurance I step into the path of
optimism each day. By fostering curiosity instead of passing judgment, I unlocked a deeper understanding of
both myself and others. So to answer your question a piece of advice that I would give my past self is that optimism is not just a disposition; it's a conscious decision that holds the power to create a positive impact in my life and the lives of those around me.