Uniquely American: The Pursuit of Happiness I believe in the pursuit of happiness, the ability to chase after your own passions and goals for personal fulfillment. I believe that this pursuit is a quality that is unique to America. I believe the ability to pursue is what brings me happiness. Throughout my younger years, during elementary school and middle school, I participated in many different extracurricular activities from sports to music. I pursued, volleyball, basketball, tennis, swimming, judo, gymnastics, ice-skating, horseback riding, piano, violin, guitar, choir, tap, ballet, jazz, and street dance. I leapt like a frog from activity to activity, always in search for something new to try. Having the opportunity to try so many …show more content…
My family had been involved in tennis long before I was born, being that my dad and brother both played. I believe my parents were ecstatic that I chose to pursue that sport. I believe that playing tennis brings me happiness. I can feel the rush of adrenaline; from the moment I bounce the ball two to three times, toss it up into the air, and jump into my serve with my racquet face making perfect contact with the ball. My whole focus centers on the tennis court, nothing else exists in that moment but my racquet, the ball, and the opponent standing on the other side of the net. During each rally, I am constantly strategizing for the opportunity to run up to the net and volley; standing at the net with your arms out in front of you ready to close in is when you feel you have ultimate control of the court. Being able to execute a point, such that your opponent cannot make contact with a ball, is called a winner. When I hit a ball that my opponent is unable to return, a wave of contentment and relief floods my body. Points like these are what make all the hours of practice, melting underneath the blazing sun, feel all the more worth it. I can hear my teammates yelling, "Nice shot, Racheal," from off the court and I can feel a tiny grin curling on the sides of my