Prompt:

"That which we obtain too easily, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only which
gives everything its value."
Thomas Paine

Assignment:
Do we value only what we struggle for? Plan your response, and then write an
essay to explain your views on this issue. Be sure to support your position with
specific points and examples. (You may use personal examples or examples from
your reading, observations, or, knowledge of subjects such as history, literature,
science.)

“Difficult roads of struggle lead to beautiful destinations of tomorrow”. Yes! We

value only the things we work hard to obtain. When we put whole hearted effort
into something, we value and appreciate it because we know exactly
what we sacrificed to obtain it. If one struggles to triumph a goal, that process will
be always memorable and rewarding in life. The attitude you take while facing
struggle, matters a lot and it can make a huge difference in your life for good. It is
very easy to fall into a stressful mode or negative state of mind during times
of struggle.

However, time is the most valuable thing that one doesn’t have to struggle for.
Just a famously said quote for all time wasters, “only idiots don’t appreciate the
value of time”. People who valued the time had always been towards success. In
life, there is countless number of things we value for. For example, I cherish my
passion to play and watch football. I might not be an outstanding soccer player
but it gives me happiness and I value it. I work hard to get the best of grades in
class but I value my sports and other co-curricular activities as much as I value my
academics.

Many examples can be illustrated from the history as well. Thomas Edison, a
renowned scientist failed 1000 to 10,000 times just before creating the beacon of
light. But he didn't give up. And when he was asked about his experience, he
responded to his failures quoting, "I haven’t failed, I've just found 10,000 ways
that won't work". Moreover, Albert Einstein didn't speak until he was 4 years old.
He used to ask abstract questions which people couldn't understand. People
considered him as a dumb but he never got dishearten, kept trying and eventually
developed the theory of relativity. These people set up a great perspective for us,
that we cannot understand the value of something, until and unless we get
ourselves involved in it and struggle for it.

"No pain, no gain" is a famous quote used very commonly in our daily life.
Sometimes, we achieve the most precious things of our life, without even
struggling for it. It cannot be compared with the self-contentment but when we
strive hard for it; we gain it. Hence the value of life depends on struggle.