As I listen to my daughter's introduction of herself in her college
audition videos, I can't help but be reminded of the introduction she so
effectively learned when taking karate. I don't imagine that either her
love of performing or her confidence in presenting herself began there,
but it probably didn't hurt to voice that introduction over and over
before presenting in a karate class or at a large tournament.
As I continue to watch, I see how much of life in general goes into her
performance. It's hard not to see signs of the triumphs of her young
life and of the difficulties she has faced along the way. It's hard not
to see hope--hope for a positive outcome, hope for success, hope for the
future.
When I applied to college, the life and the confidence (was I confident?)
and the hope were all poured into pieces of paper--typed essays and
filled out forms and lists of school activities and accomplishments.
While I may have had some interviews, I largely relied on what the
papers and the numbers and the teachers said about me, and I largely hoped that
was enough.
I listen to my daughter's introduction of herself in her college videos,
and I am glad that in so many ways, she is way more confident than I
was. Because these days, in college admissions and in life, the pieces
of paper and the hope aren't always enough. So, if you can start with a
strong introduction of yourself (in karate, in person, or on tape),
perhaps you're already a few steps ahead of the game.
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