“You are not intelligent enough. Your goals are too unrealistic, you seek after an illusion. You
have an unapproachable demeanor, smile more.” Faults are something each individual possesses
and it is usually a topic much dwelled on as we strive for a form of perfection. We must race
against time to emphasize our beauty, maximize our talents, and create an idealized persona.
According to Dictionary.com, the definition of weakness is, “an inadequate or defective quality,
as in a person's character.” If I were to view most of my inadequacies with this perspective, I
would be much more negative, displeased, and angry at the world for having to conform to a set
of standards. As a result, my definition of weakness challenges the previous in a more positive
light. To me, weaknesses are diverse traits that give each person differences from each other,
highlighting their skills and personality.
Imagine, we live in a world where the abstract concept of weaknesses does not exist and everyone is perfect. Where is the diversity? Where are the traits that make us each special? Just because another person might excel in a subject or ability that you lack in, does not make you inferior to them. These “weaknesses” accentuate our future goals and indicate the pathway in which we should strive for. The “dumb” kid will become the future football star you watch on your televison every weekend. The overly political person might just become the lawyer who defends you in court. The too “sympathetic” individual will be the person saving the environment creating a safer future for you and your kids. Having an inclination towards a specific characteristic should not be deemed as a defect. Possessing weaknesses does not in the slightest make you weak. They offer lifelong passions, goals to work on, and diversity in an ever growing society.
In my own personal life, one of my greatest challenges was trying to become great in the sport of volleyball. Beginning this activity my freshman year of high school, I was already plagued with inexperience. For the position I play, I was considered short, not extremely athletic, and sloppy due to a lack of proper training as I was new to the sport. Any typical individual would view these weaknesses with a negative connotation, suggesting I quit right there and then. In my mindset, I viewed these faults as challenges and worked harder than anyone I know. Day in and out my mental toughness and physical abilities improved drastically due to the work ethic I implemented. Not only has this hard working character trait I have crafted become my greatest gift, it stemmed from the numerous weaknesses I possessed. I was fortunate enough to become way better than I could ever imagine or anticipate due to my endeavors.
If we view our faults in such a pessimistic attitude, they will have the opportunity to consume our very lifestyles and change us for the worse. Weaknesses accentuate our given talents while also providing a lesson of humbleness. Accepting and acknowledging our areas of critique allow us to become responsible and empowers us to become even stronger. Weaknesses do not make you weak; they just emphasize our differences, diversity, strengths, and future challenges. After all, a life without challenges is a life filled with an absence of experiences and passion.
Imagine, we live in a world where the abstract concept of weaknesses does not exist and everyone is perfect. Where is the diversity? Where are the traits that make us each special? Just because another person might excel in a subject or ability that you lack in, does not make you inferior to them. These “weaknesses” accentuate our future goals and indicate the pathway in which we should strive for. The “dumb” kid will become the future football star you watch on your televison every weekend. The overly political person might just become the lawyer who defends you in court. The too “sympathetic” individual will be the person saving the environment creating a safer future for you and your kids. Having an inclination towards a specific characteristic should not be deemed as a defect. Possessing weaknesses does not in the slightest make you weak. They offer lifelong passions, goals to work on, and diversity in an ever growing society.
In my own personal life, one of my greatest challenges was trying to become great in the sport of volleyball. Beginning this activity my freshman year of high school, I was already plagued with inexperience. For the position I play, I was considered short, not extremely athletic, and sloppy due to a lack of proper training as I was new to the sport. Any typical individual would view these weaknesses with a negative connotation, suggesting I quit right there and then. In my mindset, I viewed these faults as challenges and worked harder than anyone I know. Day in and out my mental toughness and physical abilities improved drastically due to the work ethic I implemented. Not only has this hard working character trait I have crafted become my greatest gift, it stemmed from the numerous weaknesses I possessed. I was fortunate enough to become way better than I could ever imagine or anticipate due to my endeavors.
If we view our faults in such a pessimistic attitude, they will have the opportunity to consume our very lifestyles and change us for the worse. Weaknesses accentuate our given talents while also providing a lesson of humbleness. Accepting and acknowledging our areas of critique allow us to become responsible and empowers us to become even stronger. Weaknesses do not make you weak; they just emphasize our differences, diversity, strengths, and future challenges. After all, a life without challenges is a life filled with an absence of experiences and passion.
Sources
“Weakness.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/weakness.
“Weakness.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/weakness.
This piece is inspiring, as it allows you to view yourself in a more positive light. I liked how you used your own experiences to emphasize the points you made.-Katryna Kerth
ReplyDeleteI really like this piece. It goes well with the idea that you don't grow unless you are uncomfortable. Being weak in an area just allows for another reason to push even harder to be better. -Joy Campbell
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this piece the thought that everyday we as people wake up and try to strive for perfection almost made me feel like we are not comfortable and content in our own bodies. Weakness does not mean something is weak it means that the world is pushing you to strive more and the writer did a great job describing the abstract concept of weakness.
ReplyDeleteThis is very eye opening and really takes you on a journey of the type of lives we live, the thinking processes we go through,and how even our weaknesses can also be our greatest strengths.
ReplyDeleteYour piece is a great example that regardless of experience and natural talent, knowing how to better yourself and grow will lead you to the stars.
ReplyDeletethis piece really resonates with me as I started playing football freshman year. I know that regardless of who has more experience, hard work and acknowledging your faults can take you far
ReplyDeleteThis was an inspiring piece and very well-written. I really agree with you, I think weaknesses do not make you weak and it just makes us work harder and lead us to who we are supposed to become. This piece gave me a positive outlook on my weaknesses.
ReplyDelete-Johanna Medina
I loved the way you approached this piece. The way you turned those characteristics that people have today, and turned them into a fantastic possibility in the future. I believe everyone should read this piece when they are feeling self doubt and don't believe in themself. -Trenton Robles
ReplyDeleteA recurring theme of mindset and perspective is in the month of January, and yours really pushes the barrier of the perspective on one's will. Being weak and realizing the weaknesses in you is the first step to being a better person. - Kahea DePonte
ReplyDeleteThis piece was really good and I like how you showed that weaknesses don't define who you are as they make strive to reach your goals and become better in life. The use of your own experiences really captured your thoughts and I agree with the last paragraph about the things weaknesses bring to life.- Rafael Outley
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! It made me think of this question from many job and scholarship applications: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" With your explanation, your weaknesses are also your strengths. Thank you for opening my mind to this sentiment.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece, loved the message shared throughout. I completely agree that we need challenges in our life to fuel us and our passion but that doesn't make us weak.-Leah Robbins
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the second person point of view in this piece because it made the piece feel like there was a person talking to me personally, telling the reader that their flaws make them who they are. The overall message of the piece was creative and well though out. -Nikki Cisneros
ReplyDeleteGreat topic and your writing effectively brought your message forward. It's true the we should view these faults in a more positive aspect. Your piece is inspiring for others who may feel inferior in certain aspects of themselves. I also love how you brought in your own experience of having a "weakness" that you were able to surpass and strive to be greater.
ReplyDeleteThis piece is such an inspiring work of art. It takes life as a different perspective which I love. Sports are also such a simple but effective way to get your point across. I love it! - Chris Vergara
ReplyDeleteThis piece really struck a chord with me. It paints a picture that we don't need to strive for perfection because we wake up that way. Your own experiences helped bring that idea home because it let me know that other people my age go through what I go through
ReplyDeleteYour piece was really inspiring and I enjoyed reading it. I agree with how you view weaknesses and I think this can show others to have a positive outlook as well. - Monica Morales
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your piece as you dive deeper into a concept that everyone is not usually comfortable talking about. This brought me to a closer realization that far too many people try to be perfect, or as close to being perfect as they can get. You highlighted the many truths about this topic. Great job.
ReplyDeleteThis piece is fantastic. I think this is a great lesson for everyone to realize as they move on through life. This is also very well written and uses very sophisticated and thought-provoking diction. Great Job Taylor!
ReplyDeleteYou did a tremendous job writing about weakness in a positive way, it was very inspiring for me. I could especially relate to your experience when starting to play volleyball, for I too lacked many basic skills and athleticism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how your weakness are apart of you and they truly don't define as weaknesses, also I like how you touched on the fact that your weakness can be your key to success if you let it be. This is a very inspiring piece and I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you're telling people that it's okay to have this feeling. It doesn't make you feel low and helpless, you're actually showing them that weakness is another lesson in life where it actually helps you grown and strive for more than what you have.
ReplyDelete~Jackie Aguilera