AMBITION: A Boy and a Saxophone

When a child has a vision, an ambition and a will to start something new, and to set themselves a challenge they would not usually do- nothing can stop them.

I have been playing the Piano for quite a while now, and I wanted to start something else. I was never sure of what to play. I tried out a few instruments here and there, but none of them really clicked. I eventually gave up and returned to playing the piano. That was until a few months ago. 

It was a cold, miserable day, there was no one around.

The airport was silent and gloomy, with only a handful of people sitting by their gates with a cup of coffee which by then had lost all of its flavour and warmth. Phones were checked. Turned On. Unlocked. Then closed again. Yawns from men in suits, cries from mothers of whining children, and then there was me- in between them all.

To my left- a bookstore, to my right- a bookstore, behind me- a bookstore, but in front of me was a man. A man in a purple shirt, old sandals and worn out trousers. He looked dull, except for his face. He had a warm smile, and asked me how I was.

As I turned away and went into the bookshop, I heard a sound. It was muffled, blurred out, it sounded so heavenly but I was far too focused to get to the shop. I turned my head and it was the man. He had a saxophone. His smile kept showing, but he played the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. When he finished, the handful of people who happened to be there at the time began clapping. One even shed a tear.

I asked him what he played, and how amazing it was, and how amazing he was for brightening up what seemed to be a never-ending night of storms and delays.

He replied in a thick accent:

 “Dear child. I was very young and not as privileged as you. I came from a rough background. My grandfather gave me this saxophone when I was young, and I have played it when my country was at war and times were difficult, and that is how I got through it. I am now still in hard times, so I play to escape those fears. I have come to cheer you all up, for that is what I believe in. Remember- The Saxophone of your life is very close, but you still need to run, duck, hide and escape from the people who stop you from playing your saxophone, and letting you have freedom.”

It was only weeks later I bought my saxophone. And every time I play a little tune, a jazz mode, a song or improvise, I remember this man. This man in the purple shirt, who inspired me and pushed me to become the Saxophonist that I am now.

When a child has a vision, an ambition and a will to start something new, and to set themselves a challenge they would not usually do- nothing can stop them.

AMBITION: Be that Dynamo!

Ambition is the desire to become or achieve anything. ‘Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings’ said Salvador Dali. I agree with this. Without ambition and a defined goal, a person may never achieve anything as they will have no direction. Hard work and talent are not enough to succeed. Ambition is a key driver.

One of my heroes is the famous magician Dynamo. He comes from a very poor background. He grew up on one of the most violent and run down estates in the North of England. He developed his skills, inspired by his grandfather, as a means to fend off the bullies who teased him about his disease, quickly gaining a reputation as a unique talent within his local community with his incredible sleight of hand. His father was in jail for the majority of his childhood and so he used magic to cheer himself up and to stick up to the bullies. One of his tricks is to make himself look as though he is impossible to lift from the ground. From that point, his ambition was to become a fantastic and famous magician. Against all odds, he achieved this goal, with sheer determination and ambition. He developed his plan about becoming a hip-hop magician whilst sick in hospital!

My ambition is my determination to be successful and live a joyful life. Without my ambition, I would just be running after nothingness. My main ambition at this moment in time is to be accepted onto the Lavi programme, to receive high grades at GCSE and ‘A’ Levels and attend a good university.

AMBITION: Embracing Ambition

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living” Nelson Mandela.

A truer statement from the man who made ‘miracles’ happen and never stopped believing in the unbelievable or the impossible. Aim high and you never know just how far it will take you. Without ambition where would we be and what would we know? Without the endeavours of our predecessors, the world would be a far poorer place. Throughout the ages man has been driven, not only by a need to progress, to find food and make shelter, but by a burning ambition to get to a place where they did not even know the final destination.

Ambition is the key to success, but it can also be the route to failure. Many a brave soul was lost in pursuit of not only self-betterment but discovery. Without even realising it, ambitious people were made and history was re-written.

Ambition is the driving life force, the reason why and the answer to how. Questioning, investigating and evaluating are three key elements to success. Success that leads to discovery, discovery that leads to endless doors, doors that all eventually need to be opened.

Without ambition there is no progression. How would the world look today without Einstein’s ‘Theory of Relativity’. Einstein had the elements to make things happen; first and foremost he had ambition.  Ambition is about discipline, dedication and pursuit of your objectives. Einstein challenged centuries of scientific thought with his new controversial idea, eventually leading to concrete results.

“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path may be. Aim high. Behave honourably. Prepare to be alone at times and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give.” E.O. Wilson. How true these words are, the greatest voyages have led to some of the most incredible discoveries.

No matter how insignificant it might seem at the time, the right to question everything and to ask every question must never be taken away, or the world will be a far poorer place. Ambition is empowering and liberating, a freedom that we know not everyone has, but for those that do, they must exploit it until their last breath. Ambition cannot be taken for granted and for those that embrace it, the results can be life changing.

INSPIRATION: Developing

Four.

I was inspired to jump and fly through the air,

to try something new – to dare to dare.

I jumped on the trampoline, up, past the trees;

but I only had the energy to leap with my knees,

with inspiration.

 

Eight.

I was inspired to open my mouth and sing,

to fill the air with tone – to hear my voice ring.

I stood on the stage and sang from the heart;

but my melody only had the spark to start,

with inspiration.

 

Thirteen.

I was inspired to chant from the Torah in my congregation,

to grow as a person - have more than just a celebration.

I chanted in my synagogue and recited what I knew;

but I only had the drive to become a full adult Jew,

with inspiration.

 

Sixteen.

I was inspired to achieve the best grades I could attain,

to study relentlessly – to enlighten my brain.

I revised on my desk till my entire body was tired,

but I could only work to earn the grades I desired,

with inspiration.

 

 

 

 

INSPIRATION: Finding Role Models

In this society, finding role models who are good influences is a challenge which not many of us succeed at so I asked some year eight students who their role models are.

Hannah from 8W1 said that Cara Delvigne inspires her because "she doesn't care about what people think of her" while Jade, also from 8W1, was just one of many who said Nelson Mandela because "he stood up for what he believed in". Fellow classmate, Eliana told me "Jessica Ennis not only inspires me but pushes me to keep trying as she never stops persevering."

I have had to ignore certain responses but I've realised the truth in one answer I very nearly dismissed: "myself". Admittedly, this was said by Yosef from 8W2 as he chuckled to himself but it was suddenly so clear: just as beauty starts from within, so does motivation.

INSPIRATION: 'You can be anything you want to be'

“You can be anything you want to be.”

That phrase certainly seemed to be ringing true for Eric LeGrand. He was average academically, never excelling in any particular area. However, his passion and talent for American football had gotten him a scholarship into Rutgers – one of the leading universities in America. People there were bigger, faster and stronger than he was. However, his hard work and determination led to him eventually becoming a starter for the team, providing a valuable contribution to the team’s defence. There was talk of him being drafted into the NFL, which would see him earn a minimum of $500,000 per year.

Not bad for someone “average.” However, on the 16^th October 2010, his life would change forever.

Rutgers were playing a game against Army in front of 30,000 people at Metlife Stadium, where two NFL teams play their home games. As Rutgers kicked the ball away, LeGrand sprinted downfield to try and make a tackle. He did. LeGrand collided with the ball carrier, and it was immediately obvious something was wrong. He lay on his back, completely still. As he was stretchered off the field, he tried to give a thumbs up gesture to the crowd. He couldn’t.

“I thought I was going to die” LeGrand recalls. “I thought that was going to be the end of my chapter.”

He was nearly right. He’d fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae, and needed emergency surgery to stabilize his spine. The surgery was a success, but he was paralyzed from the waist down, with doctors predicting that he’d never be able to breathe without use of a respirator.

That wasn’t the way Eric was, and it took him just six days before beginning to practice breathing independently. It took him a week more before he regained some movement in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body. Just seven months later, he had obtained movement in his arms, and began tweeting pictures of him standing upright at therapy. While all this was going on, he hadn’t forgotten about his education. Amazingly, he began to continue his course online, as he would use Skype to hear lectures three times a week. How does a 20 year old go from the prospect of fulfilling his lifelong dream and a chance to make millions to the reality that he may never walk again – and simply carry on with his life?

Well, that was just the way Eric was. When talking about losing the ability to feed himself, he admits that “At first it was a little bit weird; now I don’t care, I just want to eat the food” before breaking out into a big grin. After the two and a half hours it takes him to get ready each morning, he spends the next four in gruelling therapy – while smiling. He’s never once looked around and complained about how bad he has it, or wished that the accident hadn’t happened. He can’t change what’s happened. But he can change what will happen next. His first public appearance came just over a year after the injury, as he was set to go down the tunnel with the Rutgers coaching staff. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he was about to head out into a blizzard. His mother tried to talk him out of it. Not a chance. This was just “another thing” for Eric. The occasion was voted “The best moment in sports 2011” by Sports Illustrated.

When his college coach Greg Schiano left for a job in the NFL, he made Eric’s dream a reality, and phoned him to tell him that they’d be signing him. Despite being absolutely delighted, his first thought wasn’t for him – he asked Schiano “Do you really want to waste a roster spot on me? You could use that.” A month later, after attending the team’s practices, he retired so that Schiano could have that roster spot open.

It came as a surprise to no-one that his next career would be in motivational speaking. His talks always start with the same line – “I believe that I’ll be walking all over this world soon.”

You can be anything you want to be.

INSPIRATION: The Greek gods

Oh Zeus,

We reach to you,

Let your thunder charge through the cities' veins,

And let your might ignite our world with power,

So that even on the darkest days,

We have you to show us the ways

Oh Poseidon,

We reach to you,

Let your waters be accessed by everyone,

And let your produce be consumed by all,

So even when the land animals go stale,

We have your waters to sate us

Oh Hermes,

We reach to you,

Let your power draw the four corners of the Earth close by,

And let your powers allow us to see our friends from afar,

So that even on the dullest of days,

We have you to show us our friends.

Oh Hephaestus,

We reach to you,

Let your technology ease our lives,

And let your powers stop us from hard labour,

So that even on days of high traffic,

We have more time for ourselves.

Oh Hades,

We reject you,

Let your diseases come forth,

And your suffering approach,

For we can heal ourselves,

And we can live longer, yet.

INSPIRATION: A Wave

I am inspired by a wave, something that seems so small yet has so much to offer.  There are two types of waves, two very different waves though still very inspiring.

A hand wave - This wave is inspiring because it is a simple way of saying hello. By waving at someone, it can put a smile on a face and make another person happy.  Each time someone waves at me ort says a simple word like hello, I feel happy and confident, ready to start a day. Waves are very essential in your everyday life because they can brighten up your day.

A wave in the sea - This wave is inspiring not because they rise and fall but because each time they fall they never fail to rise again. This brings on a skill of determination, something which is very important, I always try to be motivated in all the subjects I attend and always rise above anything that gets in my way. If you think about it, that’s exactly what these waves do, the rise each time after the fall, their motivated to try again and again.

Because of these two different ways, I have been inspired to make another person happy by something as a simple as a friendly day to day wave, it has also given  me a sense of determination which was a skill I didn’t have before, I am now a more motivated and confident person ready to accept struggles that I face.

INSPIRATION: Bullying and the Long, Dark Shadow of Anti-Semitism

Mia looked up with an amazed expression on her face, “Charlotte,” she called, “I’ve got a place in the same school as you.” They were both thrilled that they had obtained places at the same comprehensive school near their homes. Barnet Academy had a reasonable reputation and had children from all sorts of backgrounds learning to accept each other.

As the best friends walked into school together on their first day, Mia’s eyes shone with laughter while Charlotte simply danced with delight. The girls were very happy indeed. However, their joy did not last long. During break a girl named Tara strode up to the girls wearing an angry expression on her face. “You girls Jewish?” she questioned. 

“What’s it to you?”  replied Mia.  “I hate Jews!” announced Tara.  After her venomous proclamation, Tara flicked her silky blonde hair and strode off confidently, sniggering to herself.

The two girls were numb, as if they had been slapped in the face.  Charlotte froze like a statute while Mia’s kneed wobbled and she dropped her head to face the ground.

After a stunned silence, their gaze met and eyes locked; they were totally lost for words.

Over the following days and weeks, Tara and her new gang of friends began giving the girls nasty, scornful stares.  Tara’s beady eyes looking upon the two girl as if they were criminals.  Charlotte and Mia both knew that Tara and her friends hated them.  She was aggressive, rude and made fun of the girls constantly.  They knew that she was up to no good.

Every day that the girls went to school they were melancholy and became unsure of themselves.  “Charlotte, we really don’t fit in,” whispered Mia to Charlotte one day. “I know… NO one likes us,” agreed Charlotte.  Suddenly, Mia turned around only to find Tara and her friends laughing hysterically at Charlotte.  Mia was utterly confused but slowly circled protectively around her best friend.

“What are they laughing at?” questioned Charlotte.  After some time strolling clumsily around each other, they eventually found a little post-it-note stuck on both of their backs.  The paper read: “They are the Jews!”

Charlotte’s face became red and puffy with embarrassment.  Mia just wanted to cry out for help. The girls felt as if the whole world was watching them.  They knew that Tara and her friends were bullies.

Things gradually grew much worse.  One day, Mia found that a swastika had been drawn all over the cover of her English book.  Later that day, Tara and a group of her friends surrounded Charlotte in the playground.  Mia immediately strode over to them and bellowed – “Leave her alone – you bullies!” as she went to comfort her friend. The group looked aggressive and threatening and both girls felt intimidated by their scornful looks.  One girl demanded all their money whilst Tara pulled their hair.  It was only their deafening screams that eventually made the bullies run away.  Charlotte then sobbed uncontrollably whilst Mia was determined to do something about the horrific situation.

Whilst waiting for the bus that evening, Mia noticed a sticker, which had been attached to the side of the bus shelter.  It was advertising help for children; it was called ChildLine and had a telephone numbers written in bold letters (0800 1111).  Suddenly Mia had a great idea! It struck her like a lightening bolt: “We should call this number!” exclaimed Mia, “We need help, don’t we?”  Mia took her phone and dialled ChildLine …

When they contacted the adviser in ChildLine, she was very sympathetic.  She told the girls that they had a right not to be bullied and had done nothing wrong.  The counsellor gave the girls a great deal of advice as to how they should stand up for themselves and how they should tell a trusted adult about exactly what was is happening in school.  The advisor also said that a representative from ChildLine could come to their school to talk to the class, or a group of children, about what bullying was and the effects on everyone when bullying occurs.  Both girls breathed an enormous sign of relief and tears began to roll down Charlotte’s cheeks.

That day, Mia had stood up to the bullies, stayed strong even though she was frightened, found a solution to the problem and proved to be a tower of strength to her best friend.  Mia was a great inspiration, not only to Charlotte, but to the whole school on how to overcome bullying.

INSPIRATION: The Amazing Artistic Robot

This story takes place around 50 years after the events of “The Positronic Man” by Isaac Asimov

Dr Solomons stood gaping at the robot before him, bewildered by its actions.

“What happened to it?” he asked.

The man, who Dr Solomons assumed was the owner of the robot, explained: “Well, this ere’ robot was bringin’ some empty cups down, when my son came chargin’ round the corner and tripped down the stairs, or at least he would’ve if not for the robot. It pushed ‘im outta the way, but it fell down the stairs itself!”

“I see,” said Dr Solomons, rubbing his stubble in thought, “And I’m assuming that after it fell, it started doing this”, motioning to the robot.

“Yup, that’s ‘bout the gist of it,” the man said, “though I don’t see what’s so wrong with a robot painting. It’s not like it’s goin’ mad tryin’ to kill us or anything!”

Dr Solomon studied the robot. It was seated on a small stool in the middle of the room, brush in hand. Spread around it was mountains of sheets of paper and canvases, each filled with thousands of colours. Dr Solomon picked one up and examined it. ‘They’re all abstract paintings’ he noted, looking around the room. He quickly jotted it down and returned to examining the paintings.

“So what’s the problem with it?” asked the man.

Dr Solomons sighed, “It’s not the fact that is painting that’s the problem. It’s the fact that it’s able to that is.” He examined the robot for its serial code. ‘NDR-140’ Solomons thought, ‘They were discontinued for a similar reason.’ He chuckled silently to himself

Clearing his throat, he turned to face the man. “Would you mind if we took this robot back with us? It would be of great interest to my superiors. Of course, you would be compensated, and it would be replaced with a newer model.”

The man scratched his head. “Well… it’s been in the family for a while now, but I suppose if we’re gettin’ a newer one, it’s okay for you to take ‘im.” He said nervously.

Dr Solomons deactivated the robot and called the movement team to pick it up. As he drove away a thought crossed his mind: ‘I bet Susan Calvin would be having a ball if she was still alive.’

Images flashed across the board as the people sat around the table watched.

“As you can see, scans indicate that the positronic pathways related to the three laws are still intact and functional.” Solomons pointed to another image, “However, it appears that much of the positronic brain was damaged in the accident, causing it to be obsessed with painting random strokes, which seems to correlate with the fact that all the ‘art’ is abstract”

The man sitting and the end of the table groaned. “But what I want to know is, is it a danger? Is it sentient? We stopped production of that model for a reason you know, and if something like that happens again I-“

“No,” Solomons interrupted, “There’s no risk. It’s effectively a pile of metal that swings a brush around randomly. If I were you, I’d just show it off as ‘The Amazing Artistic Android’ or something along those lines.

All the people sat at the table let out a sigh of relief.

Lily crouched under the rope barrier. She’d heard so much about the ‘Artistic Android’ from the news and her parents, and since the man who was showing him off had left for lunch and her parents had just gone to the toilet, she decided she would sneak in for a closer look. The robot was sat at the stool, brush in hand, painting on a wide canvas. She stood to in front of it and peeked around.

“Hi there, my name’s Lily, could you draw a picture of me?” she asked innocently.

The robot stopped painting and looked at her. It cocked its head sideways and twitched slightly. After a few seconds, it turned around and continued painting.

“I guess it’s true,” she said glumly, “It’s just a dumb old broken robot”, and she turned away to go find her parents.

Just as she was about to leave, she heard the stool creak from behind her. She looked behind her, and saw the robot holding out a canvas. She took it from the robot and examined it.

“What a nice painting of a lily!” she exclaimed, grinning.