Good Life Award - Winners
2008
Good Life Award Writing Contest
Honorable Mention
Jonathan Garber
8th Grade, Magsig Middle School
| Many teenagers often dream of very detailed and complicated life goals. My goals, however, are more simplistic and to the point. Maintaining a balance between being successful in my career, having a loving family, and nurturing loyal friends are my life goals. As a tennis player, I know that the game of life and the game of tennis have many correlations. Moments of success followed by moments of struggle, quickly changing events, times of perseverance, and a strategy are needed to be successful in life and on the court. Knowing these similarities between life and the sport I love, I can create a fantastic plan for my goals for my future. One of my life goals is to be successful in the career that I will eventually choose. Satisfactory study habits, preparing my homework assignments daily, and learning from my teachers all establish a good work ethic which should help set a tone for success in my career. Tennis also requires good skills, mental match preparation, and attentiveness to my coaches’ teaching. The most significant roadblock to having a career filled with success would be not learning the value of determination and perseverance during my teenage years. Developing a loving family is another one of my goals. Being a supporting family member, contributing to the good of the family, and understanding the needs of other family members are all important qualities that I would possess. Being part of a doubles tennis team requires these same qualities. Showing support, understanding, and helpfulness on the court all relate to this part of my goal. Two significant roadblocks to having a loving family are being close minded to other’s feelings and laziness. These same roadblocks are a recipe for disaster on the tennis court as well. Refusing to listen to a new strategy from a coach or partner and not practicing a 100% can ruin the success of a doubles ”family”. Finally, nurturing loyal friends is an equally important goal. To have loyal friends, and to be a loyal friend, I need to be respected and be respectful. I have made many friends with people outside of school through tennis. Even though we are very competitive on the court, we respect each other and remain loyal friends no matter how the match ends. I believe the most important roadblock to loyal friendships is showing disrespect to each other. Disrespect has no place in the game of life or in the game of tennis. Even though many teenagers dream of complicated goals, I believe my goals are simple. Having a career in which I am successful, having a loving family, and having loyal friends are all my most important goals. The analogies between the game of life and the game of tennis help me visualize the path I am on toward my life goals. |