Digital Feature Writer Abigail Holloway’s “This I Believe” graphic is shown. Holloway discussed how her collection of quotes from various movies, books and TV shows have impacted her. “Not only are we the people in our personal lives, we are our favorite celebrities, we are our favorite books and movies, we are even the conversations we eavesdrop on in public. We are constantly taking in new information and new ideas we can apply to our own lives,” Holloway said. Graphic by Lea D’Angelo
Digital Feature Writer Abigail Holloway discusses her belief that people are influenced by the world around them.
Hi, I’m Abigail Holloway, a senior and the Digital Feature Writer for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This is “This I Believe.” These are essays that discuss the origin, importance and rationale behind people’s personal belief systems. Students will share personal essays discussing how those beliefs affect their everyday lives, times they may have been challenged and how they may impact the lives of those around them. This is “This I Believe.”
“What’s behind you doesn’t matter.”
This quote, from the late Italian racing Driver and Entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari, sits at the top of a list of quotes in my notes app.
I’ve always loved quotes. Growing up, I was constantly filling books with highlighter lines and leaving sticky notes of quotes from books and movies all around my room. Eventually, when I got to high school, I decided to start a list on my phone so I could look at these quotes whenever I felt like one could be useful to me.
One of my favorite quotes, the one that influenced my life is “You are the sum of who you surround yourself with.” but something I’ve heard repeated by friends and family throughout my life. The idea being, a person is influenced by the people they surround themselves with.
But I think it goes deeper than that.
Not only are we the people in our personal lives, we are our favorite celebrities, we are our favorite books and movies, we are even the conversations we eavesdrop on in public. We are constantly taking in new information and new ideas we can apply to our own lives.
When I watch my favorite movie “Moonlight,” and hear Juan (Mahershala Ali) tell Little (Alex R. Hibbert), “Let your head rest in my hand. I got you.” It’s more than just a line in a movie. It serves as a reminder to trust those around me and let them help me when I need it.
“I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it,” a quote from fashion mogul Alexander Mcqueen teaches me to think less about the opinions of others, and focus more on my own individuality.
When I’m reading “None Shall Sleep” by author Ellie Marney and coming across the line “You see how impossible things were,” it reminds me that I can accomplish my goals, no matter how hard they seem at the moment. Sometimes, something is only impossible until it’s done.
And “You’re only given a little spark of madness, you mustn’t lose it,” a quote from actor Robin Williams, shows me the importance of following my heart and staying true to myself.
People are made up of everything around them. The people we know, the TV we watch, the books we read, they are all an influence on who we become. Whether or not you write about it in your notes.
So, I work to make sure the things that impact me are things I find important. I started putting all these quotes in my notes app because I believe they have a positive impact on my life, and every time I reread them, they become more and more important.
This I believe.
