Can you renew yourself?

Abby Tomlinson, Staff Reporter
February 2, 2012
Filed under Opinion

Everyone has a certain aspect or quality about themselves that they would like to change. Whether its weight, height, quiet or overly loud, there’s always someone who wants it to change. Is it really possible to completely change yourself?

   Everyone has their qualities and their faults. Some can be kind and smart, with selfish and greedy as their faults. Most have something that they would like to change. Can you change? You can volunteer at a shelter to make yourself feel less selfish, or donate money to feel les greedy, but does it really change the way you are? Sophomore Anna Mauth says,” I don’t think you can change yourself. The people around you have an influence on you that can make you act different around them. Everybody acts different around different groups of people. You’re not going to talk to your parents the same way that you would talk to your friends.”

   My opinion is that, in a way, yes it does, but also, no it does not. The way you are is the way you are; there is really nothing you can do to change that. But by recognizing the things you would like to change and trying to improve them, in a way you are changing those qualities. You could be the most naturally selfish person in the entire world, but if you realize it and donate a thousand dollars to homeless shelters every year, you are doing something to change.

   Everyone has their faults. The important thing is what you do with them. If you use your faults for your own personal gain, then they remain faults. But if you use those faults to make the world a better place, they are no longer faults, but become strengths.