Do you believe in miracles?

I’m not talking about how the dictionary defines it, as ‘such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of god’. A miracle is not only when a dead person is raised to life, or all of sudden we can fly.

We are living in a miraculous world, and living with miraculous signs. Miracles happen all the time in our lives, especially in my life. I have had many miracles happen in my life. I was fortunate enough to come to America and go to american schools, these are all miracles to me.

I want to define myself as a roly poly. Roly poly is a toy that rights itself when it is pushed over. It is weighted on the bottom and whenever it is pushed over the weight makes it stand right back up. It is the perfect thing to describe my life. I went through many hardships, like when a roly poly wobbles to stand back up after being pushed down.

In February 2005, I was admitted into the homeschooling program which is very unusual in South Korea. My dad wanted me to be homeschooled very much, so I had to get out of public middle school. I used to be a boy who was the most talkative and loudest in class.

I usually did all the volunteering in class and helped my teacher the most, and I was always chosen to be the classroom president. But once I started homeschooling, I felt ashamed. People looked at me through sunglasses because I might be the first student in South Korea to ever be homeschooled. When I had to go to the grocery store during school days, everybody looked at me strange and asked me why I wasn’t in school or if I had been expelled.

A few months later, I was afraid of meeting people, even seeing people. I did not want leave my room. I didn’t have the confidence to see anyone. I began to doubt the meaning of my endeavoring past. When my friends talked about their pleasant childhood memories, I had nothing to talk about. As they told their stories, I regretted all the time that I spent time at home, instead of traveling, frolicking outside, or having fun with my friends and family. I wanted to erase the fact that I had stayed up all night instead of having sweet dreams and childhood fantasies in my memory.

While I almost fell into a bottomless pit of depression, my parents kept praying for me. But I realized that something was seriously wrong. Perhaps I grew up a little. I started thinking about my future. I took a look around and found that other students were doing well, learning more, and maturing. Even less talented students improved more than I had. Upon this realization, I felt my pride considerably wounded and wanted to fulfill my vast potential.

At this time, I remembered a quote, “Sperandum estinfestis.” This Latin quote means, “have hope when you face adversity.” I knew that I could achieve again. Immediately, I reformed and pledged myself to make a whole new start with a quiet resolve. Then, I decided America was my new starting point and began planning to go there. I explained my scheme to my parents. They spent a few days in thought and said, “We are proud of you making your own way. We approve of your plan.” I was so glad at their response.

Finally, I decided to come to terms with my childhood memory; I would make it serve as a stepping-stone for future success. Now, when I face difficulties, I remind myself of my tough childhood as well as my extensive potential, and use them as my source of strength. I had failed the exam of my life, but with my dogged perseverance, I finally passed, and now its your turn to knock on the door of thousand of miracles to open.