Shoot for the Moon by Kaylin

Shoot for the Moon by Kaylin - November 2014 Scholarship Essay

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

Most people, including myself, read a quote, become instantly inspired, and then toss it aside without another thought. This is the tragic truth. Something was different about this quote however. I went from seeing it for the first time, to having it show up in some of the most unexpected places. It was everywhere--and is—everywhere, as if it is seeking recognition and remembrance. Every time I read it, I feel inspired. My heart glows with the expectation this quote holds and my mind basks in the peace that it implies. It suggests that the right mind will never see failure. It reestablishes that this world is an ongoing ladder to countless opportunities. Even if someone tried stepping too high; she still will have made it somewhere.

As if this wasn’t enough, this phrase showed up in a different form. My family was gathered around our oak table with glimmers on our faces. As we served ourselves helpings of Chinese delicacies, I passed out the fortune cookies. With purpose, I cracked it open and read my fortune. “Reach for the high apples first. You can go back to the low ones anytime.” It all made sense. I am meant to understand and embrace the wisdom that both of these quotes impart. Some may argue that is was simply a coincidence but prefer to think of it as a divine act. I was meant to read this. I was meant to share this with people.

‘I understand my place now.’ It all truly makes sense. I was meant, by God, to go out and give this concept called life all I have got. I am meant to fight for what is right, and I must live selflessly forever devoting my life to others. This quote had such an impact on my life that I would want every incoming high school freshmen to be exposed to it. I feel as if they could apply it to their schoolwork, activities, and their lives in general. This is a form of advice that would allow them to strive to be the optimal person that they can be. This is the type of inspiration that would carry outside of their high school lives and, for them, into this unexplainable concept of the “real world”.