Personal Narrative: My Search For Meaning

The world is inherently a harsh place. By the age of four, I was well aware of many of the evils that pervade the Earth. In Colombia, I saw children sleeping on the streets, guerillas killing civilians without any hesitation, and animals being treated like mere objects. Having lived in a country where I observed more suffering, violence, and poverty than peace, security, and happiness, led me to believe that the cruelty I witnessed could not be altered. At the time, I wondered how a child like me could significantly impact the world around me. I found myself bringing home more than a few sick animals and giving my school lunch to the less fortunate on more than a couple of occasions. Still, I felt frustrated because despite my efforts I could
not stop all the suffering around me. I continued to help others to the best of my ability but felt as though my actions did not suffice. I found solace in my thoughts – a place that consisted of much more good than evil. I treasured the tranquility I found there. However, I still hoped to someday find that same tranquility in the world around me. I hoped to live in a world where injustice is not the standard.
When I moved to America, the way I viewed the world changed. I was introduced to the possibility of improvement. I saw a difference in the way people live and behave, and an overall better quality of life than the one I had previously known. The country I was born into is more than a country with corrupt establishment and lack of order. Colombia is where I had the opportunity to see past a governing body and into the lives it affected. It is also, where I had once believed that injustice is a permanent state of existence. I now understand that the circumstances of the world are not fixed and can always be improved. For as much sorrow as I have seen, I have also witnessed acts of kindness and justice, and people working together to achieve a greater good.
My transition in location and in mindset allowed me to build a strong foundation for myself.
I have acquired a mentality that is aware of the fact that life requires struggle. But I am also aware that struggle can be overcome. Life is not perfect. However, imperfection does not demand that I sit back and watch evil take its course. I believe that I, along with every other individual, have the power to make a difference. I also understand that the difference an individual makes does not have to be massive in order to hold value. If I can make a difference in the life of one individual, I believe any challenges that I may encounter to be
worthwhile. In college, my understanding of myself and of the people around me expanded. I fell in love with learning and particularly with the study of philosophy as it explores many of the questions I had struggled with from an early age. As much as I love the study of philosophy, I especially love its application to reality. Philosophy has taught me to construct logical arguments and view them from an impartial perspective. More importantly, it has refined my ability to think coherently and sensibly about the issues of the world.
Reflecting on a time when I was unable to conceive the notion of improvement, I strive not only to constantly improve myself but the world I live in as well.
My memories of the days when I saw people walk past children and animals in great distress, without giving them a second look, serve as a constant reminder of my role to help those in need. I know that much like the world we live in, the law is not perfect, but I also know that law has the remarkable ability to make the world less of a harsh place. It is in the field of law where I see the same improvement that had once been a figment of my imagination being made into a reality. The possibility of being part of a justice system that strives for social and environmental improvement reminds me of the world I had initially hoped to be a part of as a
child.