By Jessie Reed, Literature BA Student
What is ambition? What does it mean to you? According to Dictionary.com, ambition is an earnest desire for achievement or distinction, such as power, honor, fame, wealth, and the willingness to attain it. Ambition is a strong desire for distinction and recognition of achievement, doing something that I will always be remembered for even after I leave this world and achieve it. Ambition is a desire or dream of something great in life and working hard to achieve it.
Most people have different ambitions, so the word ambition has a different meaning depending on whom you ask. Some may want to become highly wealthy; some may want to achieve great fame; some may want to be an influential world leader; and some may wish to earn tremendous honor. As for me, I want to achieve something that I will always be remembered for, even long after I am dead and gone. I long to be remembered as a strong, honest, intelligent person with a positive attitude who always did what I could to bring a smile to someone else’s face, giving them hope, courage, faith, and confidence to do and be their best in every situation.
“While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
Since I was seven years old, I have faced many tragedies and adversities. Yet, I have always had the ambition to have a better life and a brighter future. I’ve had to fight tremendous obstacles to achieve my dreams, goals, and desires. Ever since I was a little girl, I have wanted to become a great writer, not to be famous or wealthy, but to encourage everyone who reads my work. I am driven to tell my stories with absolute enthusiasm. I love talking to others about the struggles and tragedies that I have overcome in my life. If I share my stories, I can give others courage, strength, and determination to help them succeed in life.
Ambition is a passion that never fails you and will never let you forget it. I started writing poetry when I was around nine years old. Since then, I have written over one hundred poems. In my first year of college, I finally had one of my poems published in the Nashville Tech Literary Journal ‘The Tetrahedra. In 2014, I wrote and published my first book, The Curse of Princess Deondra: A Fairytale. I am writing two more books; one is a book of over a hundred poems titled True Inspirations of the Heart; the other is the story of my life titled Sleeping with the Angels. I am currently working very hard to get both of them published. In addition, I now own my own company, DeLuxe Writing Experts. I am a very determined and ambitious woman.
Although the road has not been easy, I strive for success as I go through life’s journeys. While I have many regrets about the decisions that I have made, I know that each wrong decision was just a stepping stone in accomplishing my dreams. I have learned what NOT to do and how to make the most out of every day God allows me to live. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone; we all should live each day like our last.
Ambition takes a lot of hard work and determination; you have to set a goal in life and do everything in your power to attain that goal. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot achieve it. Have a desire to learn, keep an open mind, be willing to take risks, know your limitations, and learn from your mistakes. Yet, never look at a mistake as a failure; instead, take it as a chance to do it better. Throughout history, ambition has been a driving force for individuals and society. No matter what nationality, male or female, background, or age you are, you are undoubtedly ambitious in some way. Without ambition, we have no purpose in our lives. Nothing can stop us from achieving what we want in life. Our only obstacle is ourselves and the extent of our ability to differentiate between a worthwhile and self-destructive goal.
The CSEA Student Voice 