I have lived a thousand lives, I’ve traversed the seas, battled dragons, and pulled off great jewel heists. I have fought mythical creatures, and taken down bad guys. Books and video games have given me great adventures. As a kid growing up in western Pennsylvania I did not get out much. Physically I was mostly in the same exact place year after year. But my mind has been through lifetimes of experiences. Books and video games have taught me a lot thorough the years. I believe that there is a lesson to learn from anything, and anyone. They have contributed greatly in developing the person I am today. A dark skinned elf taught me about prejudice. A little girl with a giant as a best friend taught me about accepting what was different. A gangster from a bad neighborhood taught me to stand up for myself. Thousands of adventures have happened before my eyes, and in my imagination. Those adventures have taught me about bravery, compassion, love, hate, and many more human experiences. I have fell in love with characters, and hated characters. I have lived and I have died. I have lost things after hours of hard work. I have cried; I have laughed.

The mental and emotional stimulation I have received from the countless hours of book reading and video game playing, have grown my mind into a creative workhorse. I can pull things from lifetimes of tangible and existential ideas. As an engineering technology student, and as a writer this ability is very useful, and always makes my life fun. Coming up with ideas or finding passion for something has never been a challenge for me. With books and video games a child can see the world from their own little personnel corner of that world. I have seen the city streets of Beijing, and the mountains of Skyrim.

Furthermore, books and video games have given me freedom. My childhood bedroom was a time machines that took me to the past, present, and to vast multiverses. I can express thoughts eloquently, and be brave in doing so. When times get hard, I hear dozens of great speeches and I can keep pushing forward. When I need to get through difficult things in life many great generals, warriors, and enlightened ones cheer me on. I’m told to be strong and to have pride, but also to be humble as well. Sometimes we need reminded of what we can accomplish with just heart and determination. But the biggest lessons I have learned, is to always be myself no matter what, and that I can always try again. In real life I may just be sitting with a book or sitting at my gaming laptop, but my heart and soul are off in another world. The lessons in these adventures and experiences will give me many tools I can use on my own real world adventures and life experiences. My imagination, and creative library will help me succeed in anything that I am passionate about. And if I fail, my books and video games will give me the tools to find a new way through life. Read, game, and dream on. The world is sitting before you. Experience all it has to offer.