Brainstorm for Advance Expository Writing, Essay Example

Arriving on campus

My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as we pulled into the parking lot of the dormitory. I remember looking up at the building and wondering how was I going to make this my home. My parents were equally frightened and excited. As I gathered my bags and luggage, I could feel the warm tears welling up in my eyes. I had promised myself that I would not cry, but I knew I could not hold back that flow of emotions that I was feeling. I gazed over at my mom and I knew that she was thinking and feeling what I was. Looking through the tears, I felt that all I knew was just as blurred as my vision.

My Destiny

Many people believe that life is what one makes it; I agree.  In other words, one can choose his/her own destiny. I believe I chose that destiny on that bright, sunny day as I stood before the unknown.  Nonetheless, so much of one’s life is centered on the legacy of one’s fore parents. My parents had stressed how important a college education was.  From the time of birth until death, one is know by his/her family name. My parents always reminded how important it was that I did not ever do anything to shame our family name. This fact can affect a person both positively and negatively.  Most people live by standards, morals, and cultures that have been instilled in them. For example, most people will not do something that they feel bring shame to their family name. As a result, so many people live their lives trying live up to a good family name or restore a good name that has been tainted by some error. Sadly, many people live their entire lives without pursuing goals or becoming who they were intended to be because they fear being ostracized by family members.  If a family has flourished for many generations, younger members of that family are pressured to be successful in the eyesight of older members of that family. Often, what older members deem as successful is not what younger members see as being successful. Many older people believe that younger members must follow in the footsteps of the older members. Often that means taking on a family job. For example, sometimes that can mean becoming a teacher, lawyer, doctor, or business owner just because the family is known for that particular trade.  I felt all of these pressures on my shoulders that day.

Maintaining My Standards

When parents want to raise children who are grounded in strong values, motivated, and determined, they must possess these qualities themselves. My parents were very strict and instilled many values in me. I knew that I would be tested and tempted to do things that my parents would frown upon. How would I be able to stick to my guns?  Values direct every aspect of one’s life. For example, one who has great values will be charitable. They will help when they can.  That means giving time and money to worthy causes.  When children grow up seeing a parent who does this, they too will be charitable.  However, if a family trying to teach this to their children by word of mouth and not be actions, the outcome may not be pleasing. Children pay attention to everything because they are watching it from untainted eyes. I watched my parents live the life they had talk to me about living. I felt proud of who I was and the family I had come from. Although this was a new environment, I knew that I would be able to find my place and make my mark on this new world. Families with strong, practiced, values, even in the face of adversity will ensure that their legacy will be carried on by future generations. I was overwhelmed with emotions, but I was optimistic. I knew that I could do this. I would be successful and I would make my family proud. I looked at this new environment as an opportunity to make a difference and impact on the lives of others.