Luis Young

Luis Young

By Luis Young

Just as advertised, being a teenager is not all that simple. We live our lives heavily focused on what others think, do, and say—rarely does one stop and consider the implications. Do we really like the clothes we wear, the foods we eat, and the music we listen to? Do we have any real friends? Do we even know who we really are?

Throughout my time in high school, I’ve strived to discover who I really am and what I am capable of doing. Every assignment, class, and person I’ve encountered has met the real me, as I truly am. Little by little, I have grown to love and appreciate the man I’m becoming; this includes my tangle of flaws and imperfections. Nevertheless, no one, not even I, can lay claim to having a true grasp on who Luis Young is. I am constantly evolving, gaining new insight and opinions, making new experiences, and acquainting myself with the world and life itself. For this reason, it is hard to sum up the true qualities of any man in mere words; since even the deepest plow into a man’s life will only scratch the surface, given that we as human beings naturally take on multiple roles and personalities in our lives, in an attempt to unearth the creature hiding beneath all the layers of Polo, Abercrombie, and Hollister. Regrettably I too follow this mold, but I acknowledge and embrace it, on my voyage to self-discovery.

In the midst of all this teenage angst, however, there is only one thing I can ascribe my path of self-discovery to…love. Forces steer the lives of each individual, whether its joy, sorrow, jealousy or greed, the drive is still there. It’s what keeps you grounded and gives you a sense of balance and reassurance. In my case, it has always been love—a love for myself, a love for family, a love for challenge, a love for life. One way or another, every step I take is an act of love; life is the need too fill a void that separates us humans from the animals—love fills the gap. It moves me to give the best of myself and push the limits of what I can handle and become. It reminds me of my responsibility to be an able and caring grandson, nephew, son, brother, and in so, a role model.

I am fully conscious of the fact that I have others looking to me for an example, namely a 10-year-old brother who is in the process of learning right from wrong. Due to this I cannot let my character waver, I will not allow myself to be the bridge that steers him in the wrong direction: love looms over me and prompts me to make a concerted effort towards everyone proud. This is what moves me, it is my passion, my duty, and it is something I deeply love.                                                                                                            

Yet, just as it is my job to teach my brother right from wrong, it was God who embedded these values within me. I needed that small nudge towards the right direction to see what’s important in life. Family, friends, and faith are pivotal to man’s life on earth; but the right to independence also plays a key role, guiding me in my decision to take the reins and make a full step into responsible, committed, Christian living.

In spite of constant peer-pressure, I do not drink, smoke, or take part in any habit that would be harmful for my health or my principles. There are those that might disagree with me, make fun of me, or even insult me for this, for my bias towards a good night’s rest on a Friday night, rather than a blurred memory of drinks and dimness with complete and utter strangers. Though I don’t have a full grasp on who I am as of now, all I know is that I am not ashamed and I will always stay true to whomever that person is. As a wise friend once said: “It's important to both stand out and fit in.” Self discovery is epitomized in this piece of advice, that resonates in the minds of all teenagers looking to find a balance in life.     

To be frank, I don’t really know whether I like the clothes that I wear. I often wonder if I eat the foods that I eat because I genuinely enjoy them, or because I’m looking to imitate others. And sometimes I even question my musical taste, and whether it reflects me, or those around me. You see, my parents constantly remind me that I am no longer the same buck-toothed, innocent boy I used to be (in matters of both style and principles, of course). Yet the way I see it, it is all part of becoming a man. It’s this search for identity and meaning—which produces great rebellion and blunder—that embodies what it means to transgress from child to adult. And even then, who’s to say that adults know for sure who they are and what they are capable of? Is it possible that they too have gotten lost under all their equivalents of Polo, Abercrombie, and Hollister? Ultimately this poses the question, does anyone actually know who they are? Luis Young would beg to differ.