Personal Reflection Essay: Overcoming Challenges and Existentialism

This essay is a personal reflection on the author's experiences and insights. It discusses the importance of overcoming obstacles in understanding the value of life, drawing from a personal experience of facing a challenging presentation. The essay also explores the concept of existentialism through the character of Mersault in Albert Camus' "The Stranger," with the author relating to Mersault's rejection of societal hypocrisy and commitment to personal principles. Furthermore, it examines the influence of family, neighborhood, and school on the author's perception of equity, diversity, and inclusion, highlighting specific examples of how these values have been learned and practiced. The author reflects on how these influences can contribute to alleviating the marginalization of communities by promoting one-to-one interaction, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive community building.

Running head: PERSONAL REFLECTION
Personal Reflection
Name of the Student-
Name of the University-
Author note-

1PERSONAL REFLECTION
1.
How can human beings hope to gauge the true value of life without overcoming
obstacles? The answer is not in the affirmative. Obstacles and failures are part of our daily lives.
Without any kind of obstacle, it is not possible for human beings to comprehend the value of life.
Obstacles, especially motivational obstacles, teaches us to harbor patience and face the myriad
situations and problems in life (Charles). I had learnt this lesson due to my personal experience. I
had faced innumerable obstacles. However, each time I had tried my best to avoid facing or
overthrowing the obstacle or learning from failures.
During one of my regular yearly presentations, I had faced a challenge that helped me to
learn one of the most important lessons in life. Students were asked to prepare presentation in
groups. I had decided to prepare a presentation along with my group of friends. However, I had
failed to elaborate about the various nuances of the chosen topic to my friends. This had led to
confusion that had erupted before the start of the presentation. Before the start of our
presentation, one of my friends withdrew from participating in the presentation activity. He had
cited the reason that he was not confident about the topic or his speech. Followed by this, I had
tried to resolve the issue by helping him. However, nothing could persuade him to participate in
the presentation. Followed by this, the other participating friend had also withdrawn from
participating citing the same reason. I was flabbergasted. I was unable to decide about the future
course of action. Flustered and angry, I decided to face and overturn this challenge. I had decided
to conduct the presentation without the help of others. While I was checking the slides and
written material of the two members, I had realized that I had utterly failed to explain the topic to
my friends.

2PERSONAL REFLECTION
I had decided to edit and incorporate the necessary changes before presenting my ideas to
the judges. Within the span of an hour, I had included the necessary changes. Needless to say, I
had mustered enough courage and strength to complete the presentation without any external aid.
After the completion of the events, I was informed that my presentation stood apart from others
and the judges were pleased by my solo performance. This experience had taught me that human
beings need to face and overthrow the various obstacles and challenged that can come in the way
of their success. Overcoming this challenge taught me that I harbor the capability to face every
challenge without any external interventions. This incident had also made me realize that
learning from various obstacles and challenges can prove to be useful in attaining future success.
I had also learnt that group activities require proper communication amidst the members.
Communication is crucial for the fulfilment of group activities (Ferreri, Stefanie and Shanna).
This challenge had also taught me that with the exercise of discretion, I can cross any hurdle.
Hence, I can say that apart from my achievements in test scores and courses, I possess the ability
to tackle stressful challenges in a proper and concrete manner.
2.
One of the most important characters exhibiting traits of existentialism is Mersault in
Albert Camus’ The Stranger. I can relate to the character of Mersault. He is presented as a
character who does not believe in the societal hypocrisies and external show of feelings. I can
easily relate to this character because I do not prefer any kind of pretension or hypocrisy vested
in the modern world. He does not believe in external show of emotions at his mother’s death
(Vllangr'yz). Camus presents Mersault as an ‘outsider’ who does not confirm to the pretensions
and mannerisms of society. I can relate to this character because even I fail to adopt pretentious
nature or attributes in my daily activities.

3PERSONAL REFLECTION
In addition to this, Mersault does not try to conceal his true emotions at any point of time.
Just like Mersault, even I fail to conceal my true and inner thoughts. Mersault’s true inclinations
towards his own feelings is reflected in my temperament. In my opinion, I share similar traits and
I can relate to Mersault due to my inherent nature of staying true to my own emotions and
principles. Rarely do I deviate from my accepted principles and feelings. In The Stranger, the
protagonist mentions that at one point of time, everyone wants his or her loved ones to die at one
point of time. I relate to the ideas and perceptions harbored by this character because even I view
the world according to the lens of Mersault. I believe that human beings are prone to destructive
feelings at some point in their lives. Thus, I can mention that I can relate to Mersault due to the
similar temperament and beliefs.
3.
My family, neighborhood and school had influenced my perception about the ideas of
equity, diversity and inclusion. Growing up in a family that has always emphasized on the ideas
of equity and inclusion, I have learnt the various nuances of these concepts. For example, I had
learnt about the value of equity and inclusion when my mother had decided to distribute
chocolates to every kid according to the size of the bags. In this way, every kid was included in
the distribution of chocolates. This is reflected in my deeds where I try to practice equity in
various aspects. In my school, I had been influenced by the diverse cultural ethnicity of the
students. For example, in Austin International School, students of various cultural backgrounds
are present (Austininternationalschool.org). I have learnt that inclusive diversity is crucial to
gauge the various nuances associated with each culture and I have tried to include culturally
diverse friends in my activities. Living in Massachusetts, I have learnt from my neighbors the
relevance of practicing equity amidst the diversity through inclusion.

4PERSONAL REFLECTION
ODI strives to practice these aspects in alleviating the marginalization of communities
(Diversity.va.gov). My influences can help in the addition of a unique ideology that can help
these communities. For example, I can contribute by inculcating the idea of one-to-one
interaction with the culturally diverse individuals who have been deprived of the basic rights. I
can also employ equity in distributing help to the persons according to their needs. Further, I can
also try to collate the marginalized sections at one place, irrespective of their cultural lineage to
distribute the required help.

5PERSONAL REFLECTION
References
Austininternationalschool.org (2019). Vision, Mission, and Core Values - Austin International
School. [online] Austininternationalschool.org. Available at:
http://www.austininternationalschool.org/about/vision-mission-values.cfm [Accessed 17 Jan.
2019].
Diversity.va.gov (2019). ODI Mission & Vision. [online] Diversity.va.gov. Available at:
https://www.diversity.va.gov/about/mission-vision.aspx [Accessed 17 Jan. 2019].
Ferreri, Stefanie P., and Shanna K. O’Connor. "Redesign of a large lecture course into a small-
group learning course." American journal of pharmaceutical education 77.1 (2013): 13.
Taylor, Charles. "What’s wrong with negative liberty." Liberty Reader. Routledge, 2017. 141-
162.
Vllangr'yz, Sebastian. "‘GOD’MUST DIE THAT MAN MAY LIVE AN INTERPRETATION
OF CAMUS’: THE STRANGER AND THE PLAGUE." (2015).