final essay of my first semester of college english

Mountains of Life
I have a paper bag. I carry it with me everywhere I go. It accompanies me to class, on vacations, in bed at night, and so many other places. I should mention that my bag is made of recycled paper, because I am eco-friendly of course. My paper bag is my life. Inside it I keep only the most sacred and important parts of who I am. My bag is enormous, although this does not come from being a packrat or holding on to things for longer than necessary. It is because what I have inside my bag is huge. If you were to look in my bag, it would be like peeping into an infinite abyss. There is no telling what you would find there. Although it is a miraculous view, the sight is not uncommon to many people. Inside my bag is a mountain, a huge mountain covered with rivers, rocks, wildflowers, and wind. This mountain is not like any normal mountain though because it is my mountain. Its unique characteristics range from worn and fallen trees to the new sprouts found in spring. The mountain is a constant cycle of all things old and new. This is the treasure found in my simple recycled paper bag.
My mountain is large and strong. It is powerful and can withstand anything. My steadfast mountain may be hit with severe thunderstorms, rainstorms, or fire, and it will continue to stand strong. I believe God delighted in making the mountains above the rest of creation. Just like snowflakes, no two mountains are the same; my mountain is my family. Like tree sap, it sticks together through the thick and thin. My family is unique like the mountains because God created each and every person different in some way or another. My mountain has been weathered; struck by broken relationships, lies, fighting, and work. Though there have been bad days, there have also been sunny, snowy, and beautiful days filled with joy, unity, comfort, and strength. After each rainstorm my family, like the mountains, have also prospered and sprouted new beginnings out of negative effects. This is what I admire so much about my family- though times can get tough we always pull together and conquer anything that is thrown at us.
My mountain’s terrain is unique and covered in rivers flowing in a hundred different directions. The courses and paths are always changing, leading into new places. Though the currents shift and branch off, they continue to flow. The waters push me off into new journeys, both good and bad, but always helping me to move forward. These rivers are the people I consider my friends. Throughout my life so far I have met many new people that have led me down new paths in my life. I have had positive influences that have sent me in areas and helped me to grow and mature. Other rivers have been raging rapids that caused me to backtrack in my life. Together, these rivers have carved their ways in the bank, creating new bends and turns that have led me to where I am today.
Mountains are obviously covered and built out of rock. This is essential for a mountain to stand tall and remain prepared and steadfast. The rock makes it capable for the mountain to be strong against everything. The rock of my mountain is my education. I truly believe this is one of the foundational aspects of my life. Knowing that there are uneducated children and people in the world has caused me to be grateful for God’s blessing of education. Having a strong education has not only prepared me for school work and got me into college, but it has prepared me for ‘real life’. I feel that with what I know right now I will be able to be independent. Teachers have shaped my life over the years and have helped me to develop my conscience. Education has helped me to create my moral standards and values. The rocks of my education help me to stand firm in my beliefs and lifestyle choices.
The wildflowers found on the mountain are one of my favorite parts. God created each one individually with vivid colors, unique size, and shape. Every flower is beautiful and bright. The wildflowers represent every different continent, country, and culture found in the world. People are my passion, specifically their cultures. I find it so amazing that God has filled this earth with so many diverse peoples, yet all are uniquely crafted by His perfect design, giving them immeasurable value. I want to take the time in my life to travel and get to experience every culture on a personal level. It is my life dream to take Christ to the world and to make Him known by all. I love to travel, to see new places, to engage in different culture, and my relationship with God. When I combine all of these together I come out with the idea of a missionary. This is what I want to do. I feel God’s calling on my life to live out His Great Commission to the fullest. I feel that everything in my life has prepared me for this. Daily I pray that He will strengthen my faith and my heart to fulfill His will for my life.
The most essential parts of my mountain are wind and air. Without them it would be impossible for everything to survive. The air rustles the trees, causes the rivers to move, and blows through the petals of the wildflowers. The wind affects everything on the mountain. Without it the mountain would lose its majestic mystery. The wind and air are God. I can breathe it in, and feel it surround me. Just because you cannot see it does not mean it isn’t there. The soft breeze gives me a feeling of peace and comfort. I know that I am not and will never be alone. God’s love is the air I breathe in. With every breath I am filled with Him and our relationship is strengthened. The air is filled with particles of his characteristics: love, peace, kindness, mercy, grace, and joy. Each time the wind moves through the mountain, I remember, I am never alone.
What I enjoy most about all of the aspects in my bag is that the all unite under one common theme: love. In all aspects of my life I am able to observe the beauty that is perfected through love. Within my family we all share a natural bond brought to us from birth. This unconditional love is so powerful. I know that my family will always be there for me and that I can rely on them no matter what. My friends are similar to family because I hold them closest to my heart. I have known them for some time and they have become like brothers and sisters to me. Their companionship means more to me than I can express. In addition to receiving love, I love many things in life. I especially love to learn. Without my education there is no way that I could progress in life. I’m thankful for all that I have been provided with and the ability to learn at a higher level. My love for people and culture is another important area of my life. This is more than a love, but a passion. Above all things, God is the most important form of love in my life. God is love. His love is unfailing, unchanging, and perfect. It is a comfort to know that God will never leave or forsake any of us. I feel that all of the aspects of my mountain unite under the perfect bond of love. Each area weaves with each other to create a beautiful and colorful quilt that covers my mountain year round with warmth and protection.
My paper bag is one of a kind. Its contents are incredible- uniquely created by God. Inside the infinite abyss of my bag is a mountain. In this mountain is my life, covered by rivers, rocks, wildflowers, and wind. My family, friends, education, culture, and God are what hold this mountain together. All things interact and weave through each other forming a shield that can withstand anything. The mountain is fortified for the worst of days and gladly embraces the good ones. This mountain that I keep hidden in my recycled paper bag composes my whole life. I carry it with me everywhere I go. I have a paper bag.