Shaquille Lauglaug

Walking all around the house staring at the tick of the clock, sneaking time on various

distractions. I was constantly in idle, not sure what to do, so long as I avoided my responsibilities

in house chores. The internet was a distraction so prevalent and so amusing, that I could not

resist the temptation to open some other tab onto some other website and to launch my all-time

favorite games. This temptation is the battle in my head between right and wrong, and focus and

distraction. This temptation is the life-deciding choice. This temptation is the struggle within me

that often times prevents me from becoming the best version of myself – the person I wish and I

want to be because I am on my third year of Bachelor’s degree and little steps ahead are what it

takes for me to make my dreams come true.

Even with the pending works, I kept on stirring, opening tab after tab, neglecting to start

this online class homeworks, convincing myself that I was “brainstorming” and “thinking” of

how to start it. I realized many times before that this only hindered my productivity and my

ability to have guiltless fun, because I constantly fear someone seeing my internet usage.

Anyway, I ignored my realization, and when I finally wrote the opening words of this essay, I

was yet again caught. Although this instance is merely an example of the temptation, this is the

most common form.

I am constantly tempted in many different ways. The challenge of overcoming temptation

lies in coming to terms with the consequences of my actions.

I remember once how I had a terrible day at school. I think I waited for a burger at the

food canteen for an entire period, and because everyone cut to the front of the line, I was left
without a burger and without a lunch. The teacher had let us out of class ten minutes early, which

added to the utter anger I burned with.

I got home and I complained to my mother, whining. She told me that I couldn’t do

anything about it. I felt terrible. I stepped out of the motorcycle, scanning my room for an object

that would be worth breaking. I saw a white and blue umbrella. It was perfect. I used it before,

and because of that I would enjoy destroying it even more. Perhaps that is because I need to get

my anger out on someone or something. If I love it, I place myself at bay, and I deceive myself

that it is alright to do such a thing. That is why destroying an object is the better choice. For if I

ruin myself, or my parents, then it would cause more grief then getting caught, and I would keep

on falling down the rabbit hole. At least destroying something of little monetary worth is a step

in the right direction.

As time passed by, I realized that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Because

as long as people use violence to combat violence, we will always have violence. And I

constantly prove to myself that I am not the kind of incompetent person.

This realization was taught to me by my Ethics class instructor and from that very day, I

have managed to keep my temptations away.