“You had better go and apologize to Trang,” said my parents. “No! I did not do anything wrong!” Trembling with outrage, I rushed out of my house. I was always afraid of making decisions. Born in a traditionally and religiously conservative Vietnamese family, I was taught to comply with all the elders’ request. All throughout my childhood, I followed everything others commanded me without question. Partly because I believed the adults had everything in life figured out; the other part was fear of authority and criticism. Due to my timidity, I distanced myself from everyone until secondary school when Trang and Su befriended me. I was very happy at that time. Nevertheless, in 8th grade, I discovered that Su frequently belittled Trang and me …show more content…
Hopelessly lost and sad, I ran ceaselessly so that my parents could not chase after me. After a while, my legs started to give up on me, my breath became heavy, my face flushed with all the blood rushing to my head. I had to slow down. When I was finally able to catch my breath again, I opened my eyes and looked up. There was a river in front of me, serenely drifting away. The constant stream, that absolute certainty of the flow was in stark contrast to my stream of thought, and my state of utter confusion. Not only did the tranquility of the river bring back all good and bad memories but also it calmed me down. It is foolish to once believe that my best friends’ perspectives were more accurate than those of my mine, including their views that I should never and could never reach greatness. They often attempted to impose their system of logic on me and have control over my opinions. If I opposed their positions, they would team up against me and bring me down to their level, so I would eventually be convinced by them. The powerful tool they always used to suppress my opposition was …show more content…
Needless to explain myself to anyone, time would bring clarity and tell whether I was that kind of person. Standing here, drowning in misery and letting Su have her way to defeat me that easily is stupid. I would not let that happen. While dusk was setting in, the river kept flowing, I had my decision. I turned around and headed back home. On that golden moment, a thirteen-year-old me had made my very first choice to stand for what I believed, regardless of being all alone against the world. Turning around and leaving behind my past, I have constructed a new identity bold enough to survive and thrive not only through that adversity but also throughout my whole life. I am no longer need to ask permission of someone or follow of others’ wishes that against my will. Choices are in my hand. I have to take charge of my own life, to my own self and learn to be responsible for all my