I Believe in Change

Rifan Tastari

Instructor Schmidt

Eng. 118

2 July 2013

Essay #1

I believe in constant change; I shouldn’t accept mediocrity, for I am capable of great things.

In my middle through high school I wasn’t the best of students. I rarely do my school work, seldom go to school, and when I was there I wasn’t participating enough. The past six years was a tough year, mostly because I didn’t do what I wanted to do the most: jump-in and try new awesome things.

Back then I wasn’t fond with the idea of change. Ironically most of my life I have to deal with constant change: I don’t remember staying at one place more than five or six years, hence I have to find new friend, community, and interact with new people in general. Some of my biggest changes were: in 2000 I moved from Pekanbaru, Indonesia to—ironically—san Ramon, California. I moved back to Indonesia in 2003 and in 2006 I move from Pekanbaru –the country or “village” if you would—to Jakarta, Indonesian’s capital. There where I experience, by far my worst ups and down.

I was timid and self-conscious on what other thinks of me. I became slightly juvenile. I remember that I was attending school only 67% of school. In spite of all that I was one of the students who have a better grade. And in a community where you can count the people who doesn’t smoke some kind of smokable-incense, and participate in these-so-called “tauran” (literally means school war) I’m proud to be one of those few.

In spite of all that, deep down I always aspire to do great things.

Not until I move to America (San Ramon, CA) where I truly change. The nice thing about a new place is we can recreate our self—for better or worse. “Everything I’ve ever done was out of fear of being mediocre” Chet Atkins, Atkins’ quote is what inspire me to change; live the live I want, without regret.

November 2012, though I barely know anyone in the community, I was nominated President PERMIAS SFBA (one of the largest Indonesian Student Organization.) By far I’m the youngest member and president. And now I’m running for PERMIAS National’s Secretary-General.

All of those I would never achieve if I was still in my comfort zone. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us” Marianne Williamson. I believe in change, do what you want the most, and amaze yourself in the process.

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