This is an essay that I have written for my English class. I feel pretty proud of it and want to share it here on the blog, especially since it revolves around my interests.
I’ve been given many opportunities to grow as a person over the years, especially through awe-inspiring films and very encouraging music. There are two films that helped me develop as a person very highly, in which I will simply refer to them as “Mebius & Brothers” and “Ultra 8 Brothers,” where both films taught me what “not giving up” meant. Also, there have been many songs which contributed to my development, allowing me to have a very strong will filled with optimism. Due to what I have been given, I have been able to motivate people around me as well and help them become strong.
As implied, “Mebius & Brothers” emphasizes heavily on “not giving up until the very end.” Now, the phrase “never give up” has perhaps been overused to death in various literature and media, but this film conveys the message very well that it would make one agree to it wholeheartedly. At one point during the film, when there was a battle happening and the protagonist–Mebius–seemed to have lost, his elders (or “brothers”) tell him that “even if there is only the slightest hope of victory, fight believing that you will win,” and that “the strength of [the] heart makes the impossible possible.” “Ultra 8 Brothers” also emphasizes on “never giving up until the very end,” but on a grander scale. One example in particular was when paramedics and such were trying to save civilians who were seriously injured due to giant creatures wreaking havoc within the city, despite knowing they may not be able to heal nor save every single person, they refused to give up anyway and continued working to their very limit. The messages that each film gave taught me how to keep working my best regardless of how hard or hopeless things may seem.
Though it’s not just the films that gave me opportunities to grow, there was the music, too. The main example would be the song, “Frontier,” by the band, DELUHI, which has the following lyric: “Keep on going, overtake the sorrow, ’cause you will see a world that nobody could imagine. Believe in yourself.” Not only that, but there are many motivational songs to help one grow by rock duo, B’z. Many of its encouraging lyrics were written by the vocalist based on his own life experiences. His lyrics would motivate listeners to “[not] be discouraged by setbacks”, to not lose nor cry but to “try high,” and to “face that endless pain” if one “[wishes] for happiness.” Not only did the songs add in to what I have learned from the films, but also: If I should fail, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I should keep moving forward and continue to do my hardest.
Because of learning such principles, I was also able to motivate and encourage others into trying their hardest. There has been many times where my friends seem to be stressing over the hardship of the schoolwork or life problems they were given. I realized that they need to have self-motivation if they want to succeed, so I would pass down what I’ve learned to them, which encourages them become motivated and strong. Also, because of what I’ve learned, I have been able to create my own words, such as “do not view failure as failure, but view as how to improve” and “be strong, regardless of how hard it is.” Not only do those words benefit them, but they also benefit myself when I run into similar states of stress.
Media such as film and music are capable of giving opportunities to help a person grow. It can be through films telling the audience to not give up until the very end in whatever they do, or music that tells them to have a strong will, enough to overcome any sorrow thrown at them. Those who are given these opportunities can also provide opportunities for people around them to receive these doctrines as well. With all these values being taught through the opportunities given, one can become an even stronger person.
