(A lot of people have been asking me to post this essay, that I'd written a few years ago, so finally, here it is. It was a part of my Language Comprehensive Exam, and got me a good grade. The topic was "In the light of an experience, write an essay with your views, on one or more aspects of growing up.")

 

Growing up

           For all those who have watched some of the latest TV shows and movies, the term "defining moment" needs no explanation. However, for those don't know about the phrase, it is used for a certain event, occasion, stimulus or thought, which changed a person for life. So profound is the impact of this 'moment', that each person admits to have changed in a way, that they can never go back to being who they were before it.

As Marge Piercy rightly says in the poem 'Breaking Out', "(This) is not a tale of innocence lost, but power gained". Here, she is speaking of her defining moment and  there are many of us who may not realize it, but the truth is that we are all equally impacted and molded by the things we perceive and process from around us, our of which, some are more significant than others.

Personally, my defining moment, if I had to pick one, would have been the day I wished the person who had caused me pain and hurt for over an year, a "Happy birthday", with a genuine sentiment. This woman, who claimed that all her deeds were "For my good", had been the root cause of my distress, and that of my family, for over a year. Since she was an authority, there was little any of us could do, and thus, she had the joy of being a spectator of the misery she caused to me. 

However, a few years ago, I happened to get a notification on a social networking site, that it was her birthday. Although I did speculate about whether or not I should wish her, the fact that she was online at that point of time, struck a chord within me that motivated me to go ahead and wish her. I must admit that the cordial expression of gratitude from her side of this deal, was rather unexpected. Yet, when I logged off from the networking site that day, I had a triumphant smile on my face.

I realized that the unnecessary, demurring hatred within me and the fact that I could be conceited if I wished to; yet chose not to, made me realize that there was more to this gesture of me wishing her, than met my eye. Realization dawned on me that day, that if I could be nice to one of the people who have scarred me for life, there was so much more I could do. Thus, I can vouch for Max Learner's saying, "The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt."

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If you agree with what I have written up there please leave me a comment. Further, I would love to hear from you about "defining moments". So, until next time, Adios! 

- Teen Adventurer