In this blog post, we will take a moment to reflect on the meaning of a true role model as we learn about passion, consideration, and a spirit of challenge from our closest siblings.
“How should I live my life?” Everyone wonders about this at least once in their life. These questions are usually answered by observing the lives of others, or how they live in the world. We establish our values by looking up to people around us or famous figures as role models and strive to follow in their footsteps. While writing this essay, I thought about who I wanted to be like. Although there are many wonderful people in the world, I realized that the person who has had the most direct and significant influence on my life is my younger brother. My brother and I loved Lego when we were children, but unlike me, who easily lost interest, I remember my brother spending hours playing with Lego. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but looking back now, my brother’s behavior taught me a valuable lesson. Seeing my brother, who was similar to me yet different, made me think a lot.
My family traveled a lot to gain various experiences. My brother was never afraid of new challenges and experiences. For example, when we went camping together, he was always the first to set up the tent and learn how to build a fire, easily adapting to new environments. Watching my brother, I learned his spirit of challenge and adaptability. This was a great inspiration to me, and whenever I took on a new challenge, I thought of my brother.
Having always looked ahead, I was admitted to the university I wanted to attend, and after nine long years in New Zealand, I returned to South Korea, where my parents had also returned. I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back now, I feel very sorry for my brother. Even though it is an important time in his life, I feel bad that I am not able to support him while he is studying far away from his family. I’m sure he feels lonely, but I admire his determination, and there are two things I want to learn from him.
The first is passion. It is very difficult to pour your passion into something you love. Especially when you are held back by the opinions of those around you, there are many times when you cannot do what you really want to do. Unlike me, who gets caught up in worrying about what other people think of me and ends up not finishing what I start, my brother pushes forward with determination when he wants something, and this made me reflect on myself. For example, my brother once participated in a debate contest at school. Although he didn’t win, I was impressed by how he firmly expressed his opinions in every debate. This made me wonder whether I was doing everything I was doing because I really wanted to. When I thought about it, I realized that I had been living my life based solely on results. Was it right for me to be disappointed when I didn’t get the results I wanted? I think if I had been passionate about something like my brother even once, I wouldn’t have been disappointed with the results. I don’t think I’ve ever been so absorbed in one thing that I forgot about everything else. From now on, I want to pour my passion into the things I love, little by little, without caring what other people think.
Seeing my sister’s passion, I also learned how to find what I truly want. My sister is always honest with herself and constantly strives to find what she loves. In contrast, I feel like I have been living to meet society’s expectations. However, seeing my sister made me think about what I truly want, and I realized that the process of finding it is important.
I am usually quiet and introverted. In contrast, my brother is very outgoing and easily approaches people around him. I want to be like my brother, who is sociable, trusted by those around him, and easily makes friends. For example, unlike me, who becomes silent in front of people I don’t know, my brother easily strikes up conversations. When we first went to New Zealand, my brother and I got lost, but because of my introverted personality, I couldn’t ask anyone for directions. My brother, on the other hand, asked strangers even though he couldn’t speak English very well. Seeing him like that, I felt ashamed of myself. I felt like I couldn’t do anything even though I was his older brother. However, I realized that if I changed my personality a little, I could easily approach people. Instead of waiting for others to take the first step, I would take the first step myself. I want to change my personality little by little and become someone who others can rely on and trust, just like my brother.
My brother also has a big heart and cares about others. Whenever I was having a hard time, he always supported me and worried about me as if it were his own problem. Seeing my brother like this, I learned to care for and understand others. My brother’s warm heart and thoughtfulness touched me deeply, and I decided to become like him.
The thoughts and lives of many great people, such as Einstein and King Sejong, have had a big impact on me. However, the person who has had the most direct influence on me is closer than I thought. Although he is younger than me, I want to take my brother, who has so much to teach me, as my role model. I will continue to live with what I have learned from my brother in my heart. I hope to grow together with my brother and become a better person.
