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Tristan Goteng (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

The hit Fast & Furious saga is filled with thrills, adventure and action. It clearly gives the message that perhaps dealing with evil mafias, driving supercars over 100-meter-tall cliffs and being a priority on the FBI wanted list may not be the greatest idea. However, a deeper, truer message is impactfully showcased throughout all the movies, and that is the importance of family. 

What is a family? It is a simple term, but what actually counts as one’s family? Well, a family is composed of people whom you can trust. They are there for you when you need them the most. They care for you and support you in anything you do. But most importantly, they love you. It is so important to have these people by your side as you travel the journey of life to overcome the obstacles that stand in your way. A family doesn’t have to be just relatives, it can be really close friends, teachers, co-workers or, really, anybody who you believe will be there for you. 

Trust me, I know that, at times, it may feel like there is no one looking out for you. That you are lonely and don’t have family who are there for you. But, just as the golden rule states, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Meet people, talk to them, care for them, and I assure you that a good, loving family will be there for you, whether you need them or not. A family goes two ways. When you encounter obstacles, they will guide you and watch your back for you. However, when your family has run into trouble, help them out as well. It creates a stronger bond, and a larger, wholer sense of joy and trust between yourself and your family. 

My family consists of my parents, close relatives and friends, both inside and outside of my school community. As a grade 11 student, I face numerous challenges and stressful situations. These include university applications, schoolwork, after-school activities and many other responsibilities. I am positive that I am not the only one who has these problems too. Maybe not exactly the same, but nevertheless issues that, frankly, stop us from enjoying life. However, my family has proved time and time again that they are there to help me overcome these setbacks. Their constant support, enthusiasm and advice has motivated me to keep moving forward so their sacrifices for me will be worth it. That brings me to the next point.

Cherish your family. It may not be visible on the outside, but your family might be sacrificing a lot for your success. At bare minimum, they spend their time and effort on your cause. At most, it could be large sums of financial resources, pride or valuable possessions. Make sure you give back to them, and be grateful for what they have done. Always, and I cannot stress this enough, remember your roots, where you come from and who was originally there. Because this is where you started, and without a start, you can never finish and achieve your goals. 

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My name is Tristan Goteng, and I am currently a high school student studying at St.George’s Senior School. I love writing and helping others overcome common obstacles that block us from growing!