INTEGRITY
Structure
The frame of the bike = my morals and values
A bike can not function without a frame. The rest of the bike is attached to the framework and that’s where it gets its inner strength. This correlates with how my life is based off of my morals and values. From a young age, my parents stressed the “golden rule” to me: I should treat others how I would want to be treated. They taught me to treat others with kindness and to always act with benevolence. While this guidance has helped shape me into the person I am today, the morals I formed on my own are what truly represents my framework. My parents never pressured me into conforming to their view of the world; they allowed me to form my own opinions. I was allowed to explore my own beliefs by experiencing life and making my own mistakes. The two main things I value are open-mindedness and respect. I value open-mindedness because, in the past, I have been bullied for my appearance and beliefs. It showed me that people don’t always understand people when they think that they’re too different from them. This experience really opened my eyes and it made me realize that I never wanted to judge someone just because they weren’t exactly like me. I strive to accept others for who they are instead of who I think they should be. I also value respect for similar reasons. Personally, i believe respect is the most important character trait that someone can have. If you are respectful to others, then you will be aware of how your actions can affect them and in turn it will force you to be kind. If you have respect for yourself, then you can not allow others to treat you like less than you deserve; you will never sell yourself short.
Style
Location the trails are at = my diverse interests
I personally, do not feel like I fit into a specific category of people. I am a mix of many different things and that is what makes up my style. I can go from wearing all black one day, to wearing a pink frilly dress the next week, and then to wearing a bohemian outfit the next. I can listen to hard rock, pop, and even symphonies. I enjoy mountain biking, swimming, reading, writing, painting drawing, yoga, and singing off-key in the shower. I can be opinionated, hard-headed, spunky, and loud at times. However, I am also shy, people-pleasing, passive, and easy-going. I feel like all these sometimes contradictory things truly make me unique. I see all of my diverse interests like mountain bike trails. None of the trails are the same; each trail is full of new scenery and experiences. Despite how different all the trails are though, I still get the same feeling when I ride. I feel free, strong, and invincible. I know that I can be so many things at once, and while that might make me different, that’s the way I like it.
Cohesion
Bike chain = my sister
On a bike, nothing can work properly if there is no chain. No forward movement can be made if the chain isn’t present. The thing that motivates me to push forward, that connects my life and gives it meaning is my little sister. She gives me a reason to make it through the hard days and she motivates me to do better so that I can set a good example for her. Without her, I don’t think I’d have the drive to keep everything moving smoothly. From the day she was born, I loved her with all my heart. I recognize that she is a special person and I want more than anything to protect her from the harshness of the world. I fully realized that she was what held my life together only recently. During the assembly following Every 15 Minutes while children and parents read their goodbye letters to each other, all I could think about was my sister. I couldn’t imagine not being able there to protect her all the time. In that moment, I realized that all I had been doing in life really was for her. I wanted to show her how to succeed and how to be her own person. I wanted her to know how important she was and acknowledge that she can do anything she sets her mind to. My sister is the reason I live my life the way that I do. She is what keeps me moving forward.
Strength
The muscles used = my health
To make a bike move, you have to use the muscles in your body. Sometimes, when the trail gets particularly difficult, the muscles you use are muscles that you didn’t even know you had. After each hard day of riding and relying on your muscles, they feel strained and sore. However, once you’ve recovered, your muscles grow stronger and are able to handle more the next time. In my life, my muscles are my spirit and bravery. Having an illness like lupus has really strained my spirit at times. I have felt like I had no strength left, but by being brave, I’ve been able to build back up my spirit to where it feels like I can handle anything. It sounds strange to say the strength in my life came from a chronic illness that strips me of my physical strength, but it made my inner strength shine out in ways that I never thought possible. Struggling with my health has shown me how much I can persevere through. Dealing with the ugly parts of my illness have shown me the beautiful parts of myself. Because I have battled through this disease, my strength, bravery, and spirit have all grown drastically. I know that I can handle anything life throws at me because my muscles and spirit are strong.
Durability
My helmet = my best friend
On trails, there often comes a moment when you know that you’re going to crash. Either you made a mistake, or the trail surprised you, but here always comes a moment when you inevitably will fall. When this happens, you rely on your helmet to protect you. In order to ensure that you will be protected when you fall, you invest in a quality helmet that can resist even the hardest of crashes. The durability of your helmet can determine how fast you are able to recover from a crash. My helmet in my life is my best friend, Brooke. She goes out of her way to make sure that I am safe no matter what. When life gets hard and I crash, it is never as bad as it could be, because she’s there to break the fall. I know that I can take chances in life because if they don’t work out the way I thought they would, Brooke always is there to pick me back up. I know that she will always support my life choices and that also adds to her durability. Whether or not I change my mind, she is still there to protect me and to look out for my best interests. She is what guarantees that no matter what happens, life will go on.
Direction
Handlebars = my parents
When you’re picking what line to take down a trail, the initial plan comes from inside, but your handlebars are what help steer you in the right direction. My parents are the handlebars in my life. They allow me to make my own decisions, but they are always there to guide me, especially when I have no idea what I’m doing. They allow me to set my own goals, but they then give their everything to make sure i can reach my goals. They have never pressured me into a life path that I wasn’t comfortable with; they have only offered advice and support. I have gained the knowledge and confidence needed to stay on my path to my goals from my parents’ guidance. They are like handlebars because I know that I can form my own path, but they will always be there to grab onto for support and to lead me to safety.
