What sparks the drive for some to do well? How can this drive change the course of life for people? Simply put, drive is inspired through character. That is, drive is risen in those who want to achieve a goal. Such drive and dedication to hard work is encompassed in the life of Shahamed Razza Samia. This man, my father, is dedicated to his success. He has drive to do better for himself and his family, all while battling cancer. My father comes from a poor family that was always moving. Because of this he grew to appreciate the values of life and learned to understand that it is essential to work toward his goals. Such hard work and ability to conquer issues is motivating, for I look to emulate the hard work and respect for work my father has, along with the incredible strength to face issues he contains.
Among the different traits that I envy, my father’s dedication to work is beyond exceptional. He approaches life with a structure, taking care of work before considering leisure or fun. Because of this structure, he has had great success. This drive to work hard is highlighted when I interviewed him, seen when I ask him “How do you manage fun and work?” going on to answer “Honestly, I don’t. When I need to get my work done, I do it. Fun time happens, but after I handle the tasks I give myself”. This is evident in his actions. This ability to deny pleasure and handle responsibility is truly inspiring, as it drives me to emulate this approach to success.
Along with the dedication to work my father has, another key attribute in which I envy is his strength and support he gives unconditionally. My father truly encompasses a strong man and what it means to be supportive. He is generous with his support, constantly working to make me happy. This trait is admirable, for he wants his presence to be felt. This is seen when he speaks on family, stating “I do all of this for my family. Son, work is not fun, but makes you happy. It makes you feel fulfilled, and that you deserve what you have. My family is the result of my work”. Such sheer support is present from my father, which I long to follow, for he truly supports his family and strives to preserve the happiness in those surrounding him.
The support my father gives those around him is impressive, but his pure selflessness is undeniably present in his character as well. He does not ever think of himself first. Constantly, my father worries about those around him and their well-being before his own. This trait is rare, as most humans are selfish. Because of this rarity, selflessness is an attribute I intend to develop, as it demonstrates character and depth. For example, my father’s selflessness is captured when he states again, “I do all of this for my family”. He demonstrates how his work is for others, not his own pleasure. This selflessness is inspiring. It shows the true passion and joy my father has in sparking happiness in others. Not only is this selflessness essential for character, but also for communication. That is, selflessness is important in conversation, as it allows the listener to make more of a connection, leading to more focus. This selflessness is a major part of my dad’s character which I strive toward. It is powerful and inspires others to act accordingly. My father inspiries me every day to care for others because of his success.
Among the various qualities my Dad demonstrates, his power to fight through hardship is unquestionably his strongest quality. I do not have this skill, which I envy deeply. In June of 2017, my father was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. Conquering this problem was difficult, but accomplishable to him. He simply said it was the same way he conquered his other hardships through life. He was poor growing up, and had the same will to fight toward success, as he states “I knew I needed to go to college to make something of myself. I was poor growing up. Because of that, I needed to make my life more successful than my siblings.” In this same way, he too conquered cancer. Through his hard work and dedication to changing lifestyle habits, diet, and stress, he made slow progress. This slow progress eventually turned into success, as he eventually found himself out of the chairs taking chemotherapy into monthly health check ups to make sure it was not coming back. This struggle was hard for him, and pushed him beyond imaginable points. This ability to push through the darkest of times is vital and essential in conquering these problems. I envy this ability and strive everyday to emulate his strength in everyday life. Making a living from nothing and battling cancer, my father demonstrates the attributes of a human I long to emulate.
From the dedication to work my father has to the ability to conquer his own problems, my father is my hero. He inspires me everyday to do better for myself, as I constantly compare my issues to his growing up. My father revealed the factors that drove him to be successful, making a better life for himself while supporting a family, all while being the most selfless and caring man he can be. For the majority of my life, I did not truly know why my dad inspired me, but just knew that he did. I did not believe his true selflessness and other qualities would inspire me the way they did, illuminating the path towards the man I want to emulate and someday become.
Afro kid with a voice 