Personal Narrative: Rubik's Procedure

My tennis coach and piano teacher will never be able to fathom why I spent so much time for this moment. My heart was trying to escape my chest when the speakers called my name, as hours upon hours of frustration were dedicated to what would be (hopefully) only 20 seconds. My trembling hands began flat on a timer, and the judge unboxed the puzzle that engulfed my life for nearly all of high school. I picked up the Rubik’s cube, and began to solve. My first speedcubing competition was in December of sophomore year. My journey was on its way, as I picked up the hobby the summer before high school started. I was fascinated by the cube’s simplicity, despite its inherent complexity. Algorithms and recognition and muscle memory must work in perfect …show more content…
Although I was cut after the second round, as I heard my time, it registered in my head that my growth was already a burning pride of mine. 10 minutes used to be a “good” time, but through practice and even more practice, I began to feel success. The cube began as a hobby, and it still is. My schoolwork prevailed as my top priority, and it was especially hard to squeeze in a couple solves in between piano performances, or tennis team meetings. My progress slowed down as the days passed, but there was nothing I loved more than to see the colors of the stickers blur together through the twists and turns. Practicing the cube trained my dedication, and showed me the meaning of sacrifice for success. Life is not dissimilar to a Rubik’s cube. In my future I hope to be a cardiologist, and I know that med school will involve a “puzzle” of stress, studying, and failure. I am inspired by my progress with the Rubik’s cube; I can overcome these hurdles with grit and dedication. There will be times when I must start on the bottom, and after years of work, only make it halfway to the top. But to be able to persevere and better myself in the process, that is what I thrive