In my introductory paragraph, I am supposed to inform you about value… but the true question is do you value my opinion enough to listen to me? If you continue to read, you obviously value my opinion enough to carry on, or I have kept your attention long enough through a captivating question, in which was rhetorical to begin with. The true idea behind the question is that moments, ideas, and opinions all have value just as physical objects have financial value. But who should be the one to say that financial value is worth more than valuing something of idea? Value is purely an abstract concept created by humans.
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My foot pressures against the matted steps of the bus leading up to the driver. My fingers slip into the right pocket on my favorite cargo shorts. Now I have found my silver bus pass that awaits my grasp every school morning. The pass allows me to continue on my voyage to the back of the bus. Dragging steps bring me to my destination and the bus jerks forward. The boy in the seat in front of me is taking his daily morning school ride nap.
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By now my hands have made it into my left pocket of my cargo shorts to reach my lime green savior from silence. I gradually expose my iPod, unwinding the coiled headphones. The perfect buds fit my ears with a tight bond. My right thumb releases the HOLD, and taps the menu button. The backlight shines upon the bus ceiling almost appearing like I’ve revealed treasure in a cartoon. My eyes adjust to the magical luminosity and I can see the blue streak scroll down and select music, artist, and the acacia strain. My finger now relaxes as the music travels through my head and I hold back the lyrics that are now so familiar.
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I watch out the window at the passing trees embellished with leaves of orange, red, and gold while music beats bounce through my head. We arrive at school and it is time once more for the perfect feeling to leave. My iPod returns to its pocket, and I walk off the bus into the chilled air of October.
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The words slip out of the ref’s mouth and we both hesitate before the interaction. “WRESTLE!” Our arms clasp together and our eyes met for a split second. He could spot the determination in my glare, but I could see the fear in his eyes. I forcefully snap him down to the unforgiving mat. His breathe is beginning to pick up and I can feel his heart jumping every other beat. Chop the arm, hold, spin, breakdown; I can only hear the coaches’ words in a sea of wrestlers. Almost as though Coach was whispering directly into my ear, everyone else vanished. I feel myself beginning to sweat, but it is incomparable to the streams of sweat pouring off of my opponent. He is slippery, but my grasp is too firm for mistakes.
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I toss him horizontally over my body, and I can feel his back rest on the mat for a few seconds and tilt up. I can sense the terror in his movements and I power burst through his leverage and tilt him vertically against the sweat marinated mat. The ref’s hand never took such a lengthy time to hit the mat before the pin. The victory was well deserved and the title of Youth Western Massachusetts Champion was awarded to the right man; me.
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In my life, I appreciate different things for similar reasons. I value my iPod with extreme intensity not only because it cost me 200 dollars, but because it provides daily entertainment on the bus and at home. My iPod is not just an insignificant electronic device to me; it is a large part of who I am. When I have difficulty sleeping, waking up, or even concentrating, my iPod can comfort me into success.
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I truly value my victory leading to me becoming YWMC for my weight class for the reason that It gives me something to brag about, and the exact moment I pinned my opponent, I knew my hard work had paid off. The feeling of success from a well deserved goal is one of the best feelings you can have in my opinion. Every time that I remember that victorious moment in my life thus far, I cannot wait to see what life has in store for me in the future.
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The memory of victory in comparison to my iPod is different no doubt, but how different is it? To me, the thought of overcoming a hindrance gives close to the same feeling of listening to a brutal jam on my iPod. In both cases, my easily released adrenaline pumps through my veins. All together, what I personally value in life is most likely different from what you value… but who really values your opinion anyways, right? 
