Diamonds Shine Forever, by Theodora Alexe, student at Zinca Golescu National College, Pitesti
Have you ever wondered what it must be like to wake up on an ice-cold pavement, with perfectly-polished feet impassively rushing by within inches of your face, tormented that you will have to spend the day in a penniless and hungry agitation? Unquestionably, there are far over a thousand misfortune-stricken human beings who feel the oppressiveness of that drab reality which renders them downhearted and emotionally drained.
In this specific world of turmoil and transformation, individuals fiercely struggle to make a name for themselves, bravely and egotistically elbow their way to the top in need of social prestige, crushing moral canons and with ignorance to the wretchedness of people from the lower social layer. Materialistic, they retreat into the comfort of their ivory castles, leaving the hopeless seething with a miserable life. No wonder that when pushed in the boisterous sea, in the pot of the bubbling Universe, where these opportunistic rather than altruistic people crave for financial possessions and professional recognition, the poor remain socially misfitted.
But what is it that genuinely happens when the lights go out, and in the winter of their discontent, the helpless find no flame of hope to guide them out into the joy of livingness? Well, this is the part where super-volunteers save the day with their extraordinary power of love!
Exactly like that of miners, the work of volunteers implies searching, discovering, improving or even dusting off poverty. In resemblance with a diamond in the rough which lacks refinement and needs curved surfaces and rounded edges to shine, gain preciosity, volunteers alleviate the sufferings of injured animals, restore security and the sense of belonging to orphan children or old people, mentor teenagers, or support environment-friendly activities, therefore recompensing the society by instilling its well-deserved harmony and natural glow.The supreme gesture of compassion that springs from their hearts, selflessness, empathy, commitment, or energy are to be associated with the brilliance and uniqueness that diamonds symbolise. Not only because they shine through the lustre of emotional intelligence and active implication do volunteers set life examples of upholding community-enhancing values, but also because their positivity and determination have a tremendously benefic and lifelong impact .
While in the presence of light,diamonds have the impressive force of dispersing the white ray into a spectrum of differently coloured and intensified flashes. As philosopher Mahatma Gandhi mentioned: “Be the change you want to see in the world “, the pure attitude that a volunteer adopts through his/her appreciation and gratification of Earth actually contaminates people, inundating them with the magnificent colours of goodness. That is to say, it impregnates the spirit of generosity, hope, esteem, support, responsibility along with a most bonding sense of togetherness that strengthens any community.
Precisely since the radiance of a rare diamond is inimitable, so is the emotion that a charitable act bestows on one’s heart. After all, what nobler aim is there in life than to uplift your spirit through the fulfilment of helping society?
Acest eseu este castigatorul premiului III in cadrul 2011 Shakespeare School Essay Competition, grupa de varsta 15-19 ani, avand ca tema rolul si importanta voluntariatului. Premiul a constat intr-o taxa de examen IELTS sau Cambridge (FCE, CAE, CPE), oferita de British Council, un curs intensiv de vara de limba engleza de 3 saptamani gratuit la Shakespeare School, un cadou surpriza din partea librariei Carturesti, card de reducere oferit de Puma. Dorim sa o felicitam pe Theodora pentru faptul ca s-a evidentiat din peste 5100 de eseuri trimise la concursul national de creatie in limba engleza organizat de Shakespeare School si ii uram mult succes in continuare!
