1. LIFE LESSONS: THINGS TO
BE LEARNED
Michael Sanchez
English
April 4, 2014

2. Thesis
 I think that no matter how we are raised
or live our life, if we keep an open mind
then we will be receptive to change and
experience far more than our old ways.

4. Epigraph
“Apologies are pointless, regrets
come too late. What matters is if
you can move on, you can grow,
you can do better in the future.”
-Kelsey Grammer

5. Before Position Shift:
 In my previous life I was a shaved head, athlete who
had zero tolerance for opposing views or discussions.
 As I had learned in the sports world, “There are no
excuses: Win big or Go home.”

6. Before Position Shift Continued:
 I had no time or acceptance for individuals ‘out of the
mainstream.’
 My particular focus was on anyone associated with the ‘Arts.’

7. Before Position Shift Continued:
 What a waste of time and life those people were since they
were not productive and tried to portray garbage under the
classification of art.
 The sooner they were off the face of the planet the better.

8. Position Shift Explained:
 My Transformation started when I first met my neighbor, and older man
with a grey/white ponytail who was never seen without his guitar in a ratty
old carrying case. We were polar opposites.
 His father was a successful business but it was a world he had no interest in.
All he wanted to do was play his guitar and make new music 24-7.

9. Position Shift Explained:
 As we talked almost daily I came to appreciate his talent and drive to
achieve a goal.
 It was very similar to my drive to excel at sports; winning was the only
thing.

10. Position Shift Explained:
 Gradually I came to realize we were similar and the
segment of the population I thought was a waste of
time was also driven to succeed; though from a
‘different drummer

11. After Shift
 I can tell you after talking with my generations difference musician friend, I
am a changed individual.
 Before, tolerance meant to me that it was either my way or the highway.
But now ‘I see things in a different light.’

12. After Shift Continued:
 I am more open to change, and willing to
discuss an issue that before there was only my
viewpoint.
 I no longer wish to condemn all ‘Art Majors,’
and can now look at certain paintings or music
and not just one segment as the only one.

13. After Shift Continued:
 Yes I have learned the true meaning of the word
‘tolerance’ and am trying to place in my everyday life.

14. Works Cited
 . Grammer, Kelsey. "Find the Famous Quotes You Need, ThinkExist.com
Quotations." Thinkexist.com. ThinkExist, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014