The Italics are mine/Nina Berbervoa

 Word Count: 276

Parker Greene

The italics are mine/ Nina Berbervoa

"The realization of my first strong desire to choose, to decide, to find, to move myself consciously in a chosen direction gave me for my whole life, as I now see it, a feeling of victory not over someone else but over myself, not bestowed from on high but personally acquired" (pg. 69).

This quote is extremely powerful in this reading. The author describes a specific feeling and ultimate realization that she had. One of the most difficult things in life is to admit something to yourself. Oftentimes, there are answers right in front of us and yet we turn a blind eye. Clearly, the author has experienced something along these lines. It must have taken a lot of strength for her to decide on her path and then put effort in to take that path. This is admirable to watch anyone do. I have found that life is full of people to socialize with, choices to make, and paths to follow. I have learned first hand that life is difficult. Everyone you meet has some sort of impact, whether that be big or small. Ultimately, all of these people and choices with help lead us to our path. What if you do not like the path? What if it does not feel right, but instead, feels terribly wrong? I am sure the author asked herself these questions throughout her life journey. Thankfully, this reading illustrates that she was able to move beyond these questions to propel herself in the right direction. She did what she was meant to do in life, and she is proud of that.