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A Personal Reflection on Facing Dilemmas

Nafiz Mahmud

International American University

Eng 100: English Composition

Barbara DeSorbo

May 11, 2024

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A Personal Reflection on Facing Dilemmas

In life, we sometimes have to make tough decisions that can be confusing and

overwhelming. These times, when we have tough choices to make, can really challenge who we

are. We have to think about what we believe in, what we hope for, and what we're afraid of.

Looking back on my life, I remember a time when I was caught in a difficult situation, not sure

what to do and feeling upset.

I had a problem because I couldn't decide between wanting to achieve my own goals and

needing to take care of my family. These two things were really important to me. As a young

adult about to start a new job in another country, I was really excited and looking forward to it.

The idea of discovering new things, getting better at my job, and being on my own made me

really excited and motivated to take advantage of the chance in front of me. But I also felt like I

had to take care of my family, especially my elderly parents who needed my help and company.

Their constant love and sacrifices were the foundation of how I was brought up, teaching me to

be loyal, caring, and respectful to my family. As the oldest child, I felt responsible for meeting

my family's expectations and felt it was my duty to be there for them, especially as they got

older.

I was stuck between wanting to improve myself and wanting to stay close to my family. It

was hard for me to deal with my mixed feelings and different points of view. On one side, going

after the job offered the chance to achieve my dreams and have a better future. But I felt like I

was betraying who I am and what I believe in by not taking care of my family. It made me feel

like I was losing a part of myself. During a tough time, I started thinking about my feelings and

trying to understand them better, even though I was dealing with a lot of different things at the

same time. I thought deeply about what was important to me and what I wanted to do in life. By
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spending time alone and talking to my family, I found a balance between pursuing my own goals

and taking care of my family. I learned that I don't have to choose one over the other.

In the end, I realized that true happiness comes from balancing my personal goals with

my family relationships, and not just focusing on my own success or only doing what is expected

of me. Instead, it was about finding the right mix between my dreams and the values that make

me who I am. With my new understanding, I started on a path that combined my own goals with

my family responsibilities. I used technology and remote work to work towards my career goals

while still being there for my family. Solving the problem was hard and required sacrifices. It

took bravery to go against the usual rules and choose a path that was true to myself. It took

patience and understanding to manage the difficulties of balancing different priorities. However,

by accepting both parts of who I am and enjoying all the different experiences life has to offer, I

found a deep feeling of peace and satisfaction that went beyond the difficulties I was facing.

Looking back, facing a tough problem changed me. It shaped who I am and made me

understand life better. It showed me how important it is to be strong when things are uncertain

and to try to understand problems with kindness and an open mind. Most importantly, it

reminded us that real happiness comes from facing challenges with grace and integrity, not

avoiding them. As I go through life's difficult decisions, I remember what I've learned and

use it to make myself stronger. I believe that every problem is a chance to learn and find out

more about myself. I feel strong and determined to face any problems that come my way, even

though I don't know what lies ahead. I have a clear goal and I am confident I can overcome any

challenges.
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