"IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY!" shouted my dad's boisterous voice, his demeanor was maleficent at first, but then his lips spread into a wide smile, his dialogue ending the friendly argument with laughter. My family, enjoying a nice homemade meal together while Wheel of Fortune plays loudly on the television, joined in the fun. Sarcastic, borderline rude, comments filled the air in between the enthusiastic puzzle-solving attempts. Although his statement is haughty, arrogant, and stubborn, which perfectly represents my dad, it also has an admirable note of confidence. This bull-headed look on life would rub off on me, but a significant experience would soon change it. As I grew up, that haughty, overconfident attitude stuck with me.
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I had never played competitive tennis before, but I, of course, knew I would be the best. When I got home that night, I boldly stated that I was the best player there, that no one was better than me. I was quickly moved to play on the JV team, as a seventh grader, which only supplemented my confidence. Even though the other players were much older than me, I still thought I was the queen of the world. However, as the season went on, I started to lose matches. I was befuddled. I was the best; how could I ever lose? I was greatly upset by these losses because I was also a very competitive kid, another trait I inherited from my father. These losses heightened my awareness, and I began to realize that I wasn't who I thought I was. I became overly critical of myself, and I became obsessed with the idea of being perfect. I started comparing myself with every person I met, and I was especially jealous of my closest friends. Suddenly, I had this feeling that I was never enough, not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough. Around this time, I realized that pure confidence is a piece of gold, a beautiful, valuable, rare element that is difficult to obtain. Something that, once it is gained, should never be lost. It is sought after, it's unique color shining brightly. Unfortunately, it is also very soft, and humility is able to dent and misshape it with the weakest of blows. Jealousy can act like mercury, …show more content…
I had worked hard over the summer, improving my skills and technique, and I hoped my confidence would come back. It didn't, and the season didn't go as well as I had hoped. My performance fluctuated, every success followed by two failures. The green-eyed monster returned, and I became very withdrawn and insecure. I kept wishing, praying that the arrogant, bull-headed, persistent little kid I once was would somehow appear again. I felt the need to lie, to pretend that I was better than I was, and I began to believe it. However, I still didn't fully believe in myself, and the stabs of jealousy came
I had never played competitive tennis before, but I, of course, knew I would be the best. When I got home that night, I boldly stated that I was the best player there, that no one was better than me. I was quickly moved to play on the JV team, as a seventh grader, which only supplemented my confidence. Even though the other players were much older than me, I still thought I was the queen of the world. However, as the season went on, I started to lose matches. I was befuddled. I was the best; how could I ever lose? I was greatly upset by these losses because I was also a very competitive kid, another trait I inherited from my father. These losses heightened my awareness, and I began to realize that I wasn't who I thought I was. I became overly critical of myself, and I became obsessed with the idea of being perfect. I started comparing myself with every person I met, and I was especially jealous of my closest friends. Suddenly, I had this feeling that I was never enough, not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough. Around this time, I realized that pure confidence is a piece of gold, a beautiful, valuable, rare element that is difficult to obtain. Something that, once it is gained, should never be lost. It is sought after, it's unique color shining brightly. Unfortunately, it is also very soft, and humility is able to dent and misshape it with the weakest of blows. Jealousy can act like mercury, …show more content…
I had worked hard over the summer, improving my skills and technique, and I hoped my confidence would come back. It didn't, and the season didn't go as well as I had hoped. My performance fluctuated, every success followed by two failures. The green-eyed monster returned, and I became very withdrawn and insecure. I kept wishing, praying that the arrogant, bull-headed, persistent little kid I once was would somehow appear again. I felt the need to lie, to pretend that I was better than I was, and I began to believe it. However, I still didn't fully believe in myself, and the stabs of jealousy came