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Comparing Yourself to an Object
My teacher once told me that no one is perfect; that is why pencils have an eraser. Another quote states that you should map out your future but do it in pencil. Through the two quotes, we see how we should prepare ourselves while anticipating for the future that is bound to change. Like a pencil, we should not make permanent decisions about what we expect since things change. Like the pencil, every time it breaks or goes blunt it needs to be sharpened again, therefore comparing this to my life is that every time I give up by coming to an end or my heart get broken I usually start it up again in any way. Sometimes it works, but sometimes the lead/graphite snaps inside the shell, making it hard to perform its functions. Therefore, through the essay, I want to inform my audience about specific personality traits I have by comparing and contrasting myself to a pencil. The pencil as an object relates to my personality in many ways; however, there are some differences. First, I will discuss how I am like a pencil, and secondly, I will discuss how I am different from a pencil.
Comparing Myself to a Pencil
To bring out how the pencil relates to my personality, I would first like to say that everyone has a purpose in life. Therefore comparing my life to the pencil is that the same way it has a mission; I believe I also have a purpose in this world. The same way a pencil undergoes pain for it to fulfill its purpose is the same way that I have even endured much suffering, hardships, and problems while trying to reach my goals. Lastly, the same way a pencil needs power is the same way I need people who are bolder and brighter than I am to guide and mold me. Therefore, the personal traits that make me compare myself to a pencil relate to my purpose, the pain I have passed through, and the fact that I cannot survive alone.
A Pencil Has Purpose
The maker of pencil made it with a purpose. A pencil is not an object that we twirl around our fingers, but instead, we can do many things with it. From the use of uplifting music to sketching the future, the pencil has many purposes in life. However, when we divert the purpose of a pencil to something else like using it as an ear cleaner, we destroy its existence, and it will endanger our life. Besides, if a pencil is not sharp, we cannot use it anymore. Just like a pencil, I have a purpose in life, and to fulfill it, I have to know first what it is by defining it. Therefore, for me not to destroy my goal, I must keep the focus on one thing (Pedrosa 1). For example, I believe that as a Christian, I have to trust in God because life without God is like a blunt pencil with no purpose.
A pencil needs power
A pencil cannot fulfill its purpose without the help of a hand. It is because the power of the pencil is not from itself but from the hands that hold it while performing its functions. Therefore, for it to make a mark either through art or through music, it needs somebody to hold it in hand. Comparing myself to the pencil, I believe that I can make a mark to every place I go by doing great things. Despite the self-belief, I still need people to guide me in what I do. With the need for power, I always surround myself with people who are bolder and brighter than I am. Therefore, just like a pencil that needs power and assistance to fulfill its purpose, I always get a boosting power from friends and God, who still guides me according to His will.
A pencil undergoes pain
For a pencil to perform its functions, it has to go through the pain of making it sharp. It is because when a pencil remains blunt, it would not be able to perform its functions. The same way it goes through pain; I have also experienced many painful experiences before reaching my goals in life. The same way it bears the pain is the same way that I have learned to take the pains and sorrows that life offers. For example, to achieve my success in business, I had to go through a period of losses and isolation from friends and family. With the saying that what does not kill you makes you stronger, just like the pencil, I have been able to come out of the pain firmly like never before ready to tackle life. Having learned how a pencil and my personality are alike, we will lastly discuss how my personality traits differ from the characteristics of a pencil.
Contrasting Myself to a Pencil
A pencil has Priority
The important thing in a pencil is the inner part that contains graphite. Connecting the inner part and the outer part is what makes it function. Despite the external piece having damage with bites and dirt, it will still function if the graphite is working. However, when it comes to having priorities, my traits differs with the pencil because I believe that my outward appearance reflects my inner self. For example, for people to respect me, I must present myself well by putting on the right clothes and living in a good house. Also, the physical things I have determine my inner happiness.
A pencil is equipped to correct its mistake
A pencil is never afraid of committing errors because it has an eraser. Even though some words always become hard to erase them, it will still make mistakes (Mufo 1). Therefore comparing myself to a pencil in terms of making mistakes, I can say that I am afraid of making mistakes because I lack the best way of dealing with problems. I am always weak at going back to say sorry; therefore, this makes me very careful in what I do. Unlike the eraser that comes with a pencil, I cannot correct all the mistakes I commit. Therefore, to deal with this, I always avoid situations that lead me to errors.
A pencil has perseverance
Despite how many times it might break up, it never gives up. After breaking, it allows one to sharpen it over again. With determination, it can still conduct its functions. Therefore contrasting myself to a pencil, I lack the spirit of perseverance and persistence. Once I face a problem more than one time, I tend to give up. For example, when I was a child teaching myself how to ride a bicycle, I fell more than two times without being able to learn; therefore I gave up, and until now, I do not know how to ride a bicycle.
To wrap up things is that, comparing yourself to an inanimate object can surprisingly bring a lot of insight into who you are as a person. Like a pencil, life gives us the chance to correct any mistakes. Therefore, we should sharpen our insight so that we can see what the world present to us. Keeping in mind how we can learn from the pencil, we should always remember the characteristics we share with it. Through this, we will become the best pencil and be at peace.
Works Cited
Mufo, Lovemore. “Live your life like a pencil.” Brigde, (2015). <https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/live-your-life-like-a-pencil>.
Pedrosa, Tim. “our life is like a pencil.” (n.d.). <http://timyrna.com/tpedrosa/ourlifeislikeapencil.htm>.