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Shannon Higgins
ERWC Period 1
Mrs. Shcarf
4 May 2015
Integrity
Integrity cannot be defined by a single moment of time or a single action of grace
rather it is the motives behind your actions and reasoning for how you treat others. It does
not waiver but remains on a firm foundation unique to each and every soul. I will not boast
of my unending kindness or say I have adhered to the integrity I believe within my soul, I
can only strive to be stronger than I am today and place others’ lives in front of my own. If
an entire structure relies on the integrity of its design to protect it, it must mean that that
durability and integrity is living for the cause of others not itself. I wish to live my life as the
palace of Versailles; in all of its magnificence and splendor (with even some ridiculousness)
its sole purpose is to bring joy to others. Though like its maker Louis XIV I am still selfish in
nature I have strived and will continue to melt down the selfishness of my heart and live
solely for the benefit of others and Christ my Savior. I am the palace of Versailles, and this is
why.
An infinite layer of indestructible marble layers the palace of Versailles, beautiful
and never changing. God is the structure of my entire being. Upon him I build all my walls;
whether they are beautiful or cracked my foundation remains constant and forgiving. It is
the fact my marble floors cannot be ripped away from me that I rely on them. I live my life
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to be as this structure. I want to be like my savior. I want to be the floor. I want to be those
beautiful marble floors. Those beautiful marble floors that take last placed and may be
stepped on but remain strong. I will remain strong but strive to be last, to be a servant, to
be a path which those in need may rely and walk upon. Like God, integrity is selfless and it
is for this reason I wish to be last place. Taking last place does not mean you cannot be
successful in life for instance my plan is to be a dentist. The life of a dentist may not sound
very glamorous but they make a very generous income. While over half of our world is
living in a poverty of less than 10,000 a year I will be earning 150,000 a year. In the eyes of
economy this is nowhere near last place. To understand we must look through a higher
lens, paper and coins will fade but the structure of my life is eternal. Being a dentist I will
come in contact with many people and it is through these people I will be able to show
them my intricate marble floors. Some people need food and water while others may need
your joy and smiles. Through my work I will be able to give both my resources and heart to
the people around me. I will falter and fail but I will always have those beautiful and grand
floors to rest upon when all else diminishes.
Unlike many other castles in France and globally, Versailles has a flavor of
extravagance and a style that is impossible to ignore. Ever since I was young people would
be intrigued with my extravagance and odd personality, if I had a dollar for every time I
had someone tell me “You’re weird” I could no doubt buy the real palace of Versailles. I
think everyone has oddities that make them unique but some show them to others and
others hide their true personality. I believe it takes a level of confidence and strength to
show these imperfections. These beautiful oddities of my life are like the hall of mirrors at
Versailles. At face value it is breath taking and hard to look away from much like all the
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qualities I pride myself in, however under close examination the mirrors project what you
want to hide from the world across the room and in every direction. You cannot change
what you see in the mirror only continue to walk forward down the hallway appreciating
the intricacy of its design. A quality some people are drawn to is how goofy I am. I will
dance freaky in public settings or make jokes that nobody quite understands and I am not
afraid to look ugly for the sake of comedy. A quality that when I see I wish I could take a
gold chair and smash all the mirrors that show this ugly side to me is my temper. When I
am angry it is as if I cannot control my words or actions and the amount of times I get angry
or upset are far too many. I can only look to my marble floors for strength. It is an ugly side
of me but something those that truly care about me will look past to see the gold lining
around my reflection. A gold lining that helps calm the fire of my temper is my ability to
forgive. Though I see many things I need to improve on I am most proud of this quality
because I believe it is the strongest example of love. It is easy to be friends with someone
who only gives you what you want; it is when they upset you that true friendship is shown.
For Jesus Christ gave his life on the cross not because of what I have done but out of
forgiveness. I am willing to give forgiveness to anyone who asks it. Another aspect of my
personality is my drama. Not in a cat fight sort of way but as you can tell with even the way
I write I am very dramatic in my words and actions. This emotional tap helps me to
sympathize with other but can sometimes be seen as weak (seeing as I can cry pretty dang
easily). But I do not see my emotional nature as weakness, I believe it takes real strength to
let people peek into the internal hallways of your mind and allow yourself to feel the pain
of others. With all of these qualities whether good or bad I have much joy for life. I live with
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passion in everything I do whether fierce aggression or love or friendship. An attractive life
is one of joy. I am blessed to say I am full of joy.
As Oscar Wilde put it, “life imitates art far more than art imitates life”. Like the
paintings, sculptures, and entertainment of Versailles, the arts and friends give a
completion to my life. Building design is nothing without cohesion. Finding a way to be
creative, whether it be making up dances for cheer, writing poetry, or painting in my free
time, has always helped me relax as well as feel a connection between the spiritual side of
me and physical beauties of the world. It puts me at ease and adds a spice to an otherwise
trivial life. You could argue that a person’s sport is their own form of art because they are
using their bodies for expression. I dance constantly whether around my house or in public.
Not only is dance a stress reliever but it brings happiness to each moment along with the
music it’s accompanied with. Louis XIV use to entertain his nobleman at the palace of
Versailles with an extravagant display of art, plays, music, and even just the fun of sharing
laughs with the person next to you. I find great joy in spending time with my friends
especially my best friend Azalea. The place of Versailles is gorgeous beyond compart but
without people within it to share its entertainment with it would be cold and lonely. The
arts and my relationships with people create wholeness in my being.
My strength comes from my family. I am blessed to say I have five loving siblings
who have taken care of me my entire life and parents who will be celebrating their 34th
anniversary this year. They are the dependable and beautiful walls of my palace and there
is no way to express my gratitude to them with mere words on a piece of paper. I am the
youngest of five with two older sisters, Brittany and Jessica, and two older brothers,
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Stephen and Nathan. I grew up in Vancouver, Washington where I played in the rain and
was taken care of by an entire household. When I was six years old we moved to the
country town of Stilman Valley, Illinois and when I was twelve we moved yet again to
Temecula, California. With all of these inconsistencies I am glad I have had such a strong
group of individuals to rely on and look up to. Through all these moves it has taught me to
adapt and be accepting of the different cultures of the world. My oldest sister, Brittany, has
taught me strength through her example as an opinionated woman who is willing to work
hard to get what she wants. As I grew up and continue to grow up she makes sure to
support me as I strive to accomplish what I want in life. My second oldest sister, Jessica, is
the perfect model of generosity. I have always looked up to her and even wanted to be her
at times, not only because she is stunning but because she was always so easily kind to
others. I have always felt she was like a second mom to me. She use to brush my hair as a
baby, she taught me how to do makeup, she taught me how to draw, and she was even
there to bring me help the first time I became a “woman”. To this day she still makes me
walk on the farthest side of the sidewalk from the road, showering her love and sacrifice for
me. My oldest brother Stephen has been an example of a likeable and easy going
personality. People love to be around Stephen because he possesses a relaxed fun that’s
easy to enjoy. Whenever I need someone to cheer me up or make me laugh I can go to him.
Nathan who is closest to my age is my rock. He is so caring yet strong I cannot help but
admire him. Last winter he lost his best friend in a tragic motorcycle accident and did not
choose to sulk and lash out but instead extended more grace to the people around him; he
to this day takes care of his friend’s three younger brothers and heartbroken fiancé. As for
my parents I am blessed that they have taught me about the Lord and remained together
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my entire life because it has given me stability and hope for my aspirations of starting a
family. I can’t think of a better way to strive for integrity than to look at these amazing
individuals that surround my entire life and encapsulate the walls of my palace.
The beams and roof of Versailles insure that all the magnificence is protected an
able to accomplish its purpose. Education is the durability of my life plan through which I
would not be able to accomplish all that I wish to do without. From the moment I went to
my first day of preschool I have loved going to school. Though recently this passion has
faded due to chronic senioritis I am already bursting at the seams just thinking about
attending the University of California, Riverside to study biochemistry and one day be a
dentist. It is not just an occupation but what I can do through it. Being a dentist I am able to
afford supporting my future family, travel the world, give my children the same
opportunities, and give to those in need. Without education I would not be able to achieve
any of this. Not only do I really enjoy learning and studying new things, education is vital to
achieving my life goals. Also all the people you meet on your educational journey is an
opportunity to extend grace and exercise integrity.
Finally, like the twisting and turning gardens of Versailles my family and teachers
have been a sense of direction in my life; no matter how complicated the flowers and
bushes curve I will continue to venture outside the palace walls with the help of family and
teachers I can now call friends. My family has always given me direction in my personal
journey to grow as a responsible adult but often lacked information about school or
applying for certain things I needed. My counselor Mr. Sypniewski has been a tremendous
help in steering me on the right path of admissions and I believe played a huge role in the
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acceptance to my university. Even when I was younger my fifth grade teacher inspired me
to start writing poetry and I the main reason I write with such passion as still do today. I
am very lucky to have had teachers that have not only helped me in my skill but have
treated me as a friend not just a student. All of these individuals encourage me to live out
my goal of obtaining my doctorate. Without their wisdom and words of encouragement I
would be lost in a maze of shrubbery and ignorance.
Though my life may never be as stunning as the palace of Versailles it will last
forever and I will spend forever trying to become the woman God, family, and friends are
rooting for me to be.