The Other Wes Moore: My Mentor

 

Wes Moore talks about his mentors and how they changed his life, he credits them for guiding him to a better path, achieving his dreams and goals. In one way or another, his mentors helped him get out of that bad environment in which he found himself and made his life improve in every way. At first didn't realize that they treated him a certain way because they wanted the best for him, maybe he felt they were unfair or annoying for treating him that way. However, over time Wes was able to recognize that everything was for his good and that it was worth it because he managed to overcome himself and not fall into the same mistakes that young people his age made, and that led them to their perdition.

Like Wes, I have also had people who have influenced my life and helped me achieve many things. Sometimes I think that if it hadn't been for them, I wouldn't be where I am. As you can imagine, my parents have been my mentors. My dad always taught us that we must study to be someone in life, he always bought us (my sisters and I) everything we needed to go to school, we couldn't miss a color, a piece of cardboard, or a book, he always made sure that we had the best education and resources possible. He studied and graduated in accounting from one of the best-known universities in the Dominican Republic, and he always wanted us to go to university too. My mother was also responsible for making us see that education and values are an essential part of life and that having a profession is worth more than we think. She did not have the opportunity to finish school because at that time they did not give importance to studies and they put her to work at an early age, however, my mother always helped me with my homework, and she helped and still helps me every day to be better, to not give up, to always try again and again until I achieve my goal. She drives me every day and she always tell me this phrase "Your efforts today will be rewarded tomorrow." I think that without the help of my parents, I would not be in college today.

Although I would like to say that everything is thanks to them, it is not like that. I had two teachers who undoubtedly had a significant impact on my life. The first was my mathematics teacher in the Dominican Republic, that teacher helped me whenever he did not understand a topic, he took his time to make sure that I understood everything perfectly; He advised me, he always told me that I could do that and more, that he was very intelligent and that if I put my mind to it he would go far. He encouraged me to participate in different mathematics competitions with other schools, he helped me so much that thanks to him I was part of the 6% of outstanding students in the entire country in the 2015-2016 school year. I obtained certificates and recognitions for my excellent performance, thanks to that teacher the doors to the best universities were open for me, with scholarships included. This professor was not only my academic mentor, but he was also my advisor. I was going through difficult times at that time with my family and friends, he always noticed when I was not well and always talked to me and gave me the best advice, he made sure that I was fine and that my mental health was not in trouble. danger. He is one of the reasons why I want to be a teacher, to be able to connect with my students, create an impact on them, make a change in society, and be that person that someone needs.

Then I had another teacher who helped me throughout my university admission process. My AP Spanish teacher here in the United States from the first day she cared about me (I didn't know anything about how the educational system worked here or how to apply to universities). I remember that every Thursday after class she stayed with me showing me different universities to which I could apply, after I decided on one, she helped me apply, she was attentive to the entire process, and she also helped me get financial aid and all the resources necessary for me to study after graduating from high school. She can't imagine how much I thank her for her help, without her I wouldn't be studying or maybe I wouldn't be as advanced as I am now.

Both made my academic life different but good. They were strict with their homework and exams, and when they had to correct me for some bad behavior, they did it, but with all the love in the world they helped me get ahead and achieve more than I thought. Every time I can I visit them and let them know how important they are in my life.

I feel like we all have people to give credit to for believing in us, for not doubting, and for always being present in the good and bad times. Like Wes, I also made mistakes, but I also found people who guided me on the right path and who always believed in my ability.

What music played a special role in the other Wes Moore’s life? What role does music play in your life?

What music played a special role in the other Wes Moore’s life? What role does music play in your life?

Music played a vital role in Wes's life, it made him feel identified because the lyrics made his mind forget what was happening around him. Music was his escape and what made Wes connect his two worlds (that of school and that of his neighborhood). Music in itself is a relief for the soul and an escape for the lives of many because it identifies many situations that the person may be going through or that have happened to them.

For my part, music is essential in my daily life, I use music to drive to work, to the gym, when I go for a walk, to clean the house, when I am happy, or sad, and even when I am angry I listen to music, when I am stressed because music manages to change my mood, improve how I feel and makes me stop thinking about the bad situation that may be happening. Music also helps me have fun times with friends. I feel that music serves me in all moments and states of my life.

I feel that Wes uses music to connect his two worlds and to be able to understand a little how to unite the double life that he leads. It is evident that for Wes music is the midpoint in which his school and personal life become one, and that also for other young people of his time could feel identified because the lyrics told the reality that young people lived and how society is damaged by drugs, alcohol, and cocaine have destroyed what little good was left in the society of that time. They also mention how music helps you relax and that was what he did with Wes, even if his mother was talking to him, he would put on the music and not listen to anything that was happening around him.

For my part, music relaxes me and makes me forget those things I don't want to think about. When I'm driving, music prevents me from getting stressed by traffic or some recklessness people commit while driving. The same when I'm at the gym, I focus more on my exercises when I have my music and it prevents me from getting distracted. Wes and I have something in common and that is that we use music to avoid stressing ourselves with everything that happens in the environment and to be able to connect our different worlds into one.

What activities do you enjoy doing while trying to cope with difficult situations?

 Just as Wes used basketball to distract and avoid everything that was happening around him, the same way I used to exercise and write. When I feel like I need to escape reality or that I need to clear my mind, I go to the gym and train for hours because that keeps my mind from overthinking, or from saying or doing things I don't want to. The gym makes my mind go blank and I only think about the exercise I am doing or how I am progressing, it relaxes me and then gives me peace of mind to be able to think better about the situation I am going through, it clears my mind and somehow way it helps me feel better.

Likewise, writing about what happens to me calms me down. When I'm angry, sad, depressed, or even happy, I write how I feel in a Word document, but I write it as if it were someone else as if it were someone else and not me. Sometimes I do it in poetry or rhymes, creating a story, and other times I just write them down to get them out of my head. I rarely reread them because I don't like to think about what I once felt or thought. This helps me avoid making wrong decisions, relaxes my mind, and calms anxiety. Whenever I go through difficult times, I don't like to talk about it with anyone and I keep what happens to myself, but there comes a point where I can't take it anymore, so I decide to write it down, that makes me feel like I'm sharing it with someone. more and release my burden or my pain.

Wes used basketball to avoid seeing his reality, to avoid being part of all the crime that was around him, he used it as a way to escape disaster, and I think many of us use different activities with the same purpose, to avoid what is happening to us, to get away from reality and to forget all the problems a little. Many times, I also use music and dance to forget what is happening.

There are many ways in which I avoid or deal with difficult situations, but most of the time I don't talk about them with anyone, I write them down, or I lock myself in my own world. I know that's not healthy, but everyone has their own way of dealing with things. But writing, exercising, and dancing are things that clear my mind and often help me think of solutions to problems or how I can improve so that this situation does not happen to me again.

Are we products of our environment or products of our expectations?

 Are we products of our environment or products of our expectations?

This is a question that many of us may have never asked ourselves, but that undoubtedly gives us a lot to think about. The complexity of this topic does not allow us to offer an exact answer. The environment in which we grow and live greatly influences our lives and can determine what our future will look like, although this does not apply in all cases because people's expectations and goals can vary and do not have to be 100% related. to the environment in which they grew up (that's the complicated part). Many times we believe that because a person lives in a low-income community, or because they have a dysfunctional family, their destiny has already been marked and there is no turning back. However, it all depends on the person's expectations and goals.

 

We are a product of the environment that surrounds us because it teaches us a way of seeing life, it teaches us about unity, respect, love for others, it educates us and sometimes it shows you what you don't want in your life. Our environment does not define us but it shows a part of who we are, it shows our roots, some of our customs and attitudes, etc. However, this environment cannot predict and assert what our lives will be like. For example, former President Obama comes from a humble family with few resources. Most likely, no one thought that he could become president
of the USA, but his dreams, goals, and hard work allowed him to do so because his expectations were high.

 

On the other hand, we are also the product of our expectations because we can become what we dream of and want. Our expectations have a great impact on everything we do because they can drive us to achieve them or they can demotivate us and make the goal seem further away, which causes many people to give up. The expectations we set for ourselves are what motivate us to achieve the goal, they are what define who we will be in the future. However, there are circumstances in which our surroundings do not help us meet our expectations. For example, when I lived in my country of birth, I played sports and was very good at them, mainly volleyball, but I did not have the opportunity to belong to a formal team or to play in an important match because I had to work to help. to my family, my expectations were high, but my environment was not the best, or perhaps the moment was not right. I didn't have the time or support from my family to be able to play sports due to our economic situation, but even when I had free time I went out with friends, and we practiced a little.

Returning to the initial question, I think that we are a product of both because both our environment and our expectations significantly impact our lives, and both can say a lot about us without having to speak. That is why it is important that we have clear expectations so we can choose the environment we need and whether we are working to achieve those things we want and need.