Foy, Brianna

Ms. Tierce
English IV Honors-2A
Due: 10 December 2014

Monster Essay

You know that one thing that always seems to limit your success? It seems to always get
in the way of things- this is called an internal monster. In society, the word monster is often used
to describe something that is negative and is meant to disrupt the order of things. Our personal
struggles or internal monsters often interfere with the peace within ourselves and our
surroundings. Most times, that monster inside of us hinders us from reaching our maximum
potential. My internal struggle happens to be self-control. I know youve heard of it too. It is the
monster that hinders you from controlling anger, spending, and eating. In my situation, I have let
people get the best of me or have felt pushed to react to someone elses actions. This monster has
handicapped me in some ways and stopped me from thinking clearly.

According to Websters dictionary, a monster can be one who deviates from normal or
acceptable behavior or character. This means that your internal monster can cause you to make
rash decisions and act in ways you wouldnt normally act. At times, my monster can cause me to
say things I wouldnt normally say, make me very emotional, cause me to be easily influenced or
be greedy, and lack patience or good judgment.

In other instances, self- control can be referred to as a lack of control of ones temper or
morale. As you may have heard many times before, think before reacting. We tend to make
decisions for the moment instead of thinking about the whole picture. At that moment in time,
you give another person control of your emotions. One of my favorite quotes is by Elizabeth
Kenny, she says: He who angers you conquers you. This quote simply says the person that
angers has already gotten the best of you by making you angry. As hard as it may be, you must
always control yourself.

Furthermore, many people may not think of eating to be a form of self-control but it in
fact is. You have to discipline your body to stop cravings and to eat within a healthy portion size.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is higher among middle
age adults at 39.5%. The least would be the younger adults at 30.3%. Next would be those over
60 years of age 35.4% fall somewhere in the middle. Though there is a higher rate of obesity for
some races and ethnicities, the rate from age to age doesnt differ greatly. Everywhere in
America people need to control their eating and live a healthier life.

Moreover, people tend to have problems with controlling their spending. In some
instances, we have our elitist political system to blame-but in most situations it is our internal
struggle of self-control. Statistically speaking almost each household with a credit card is more
than $15,000 in credit card debt. This study was done this year by Bill Fay. We see that America

has a problem, but this is something that has to be fixed individually. Greed leads to
overspending and results in a lack to self-control.

Similarly, the story of Adam and Eve teaches us about the consequences of not
controlling ourselves. Our level of self-control is often tested. In this biblical story, Adam and
Eve were given a whole garden. The fact that they couldnt eat from a particular tree caused Eve
to want to eat from that tree more. Like the world around us, Eve was able to influence Adam to
eat of this tree. Eve lacked self-control to the devil and Adam lacked self-control with Eve.
Normally, these two would obey God but the outside influenced cause them to act a certain way
and be greedy.

In connection to the story of Unferth and Beowulf, his goal was to anger Beowulf and
make him act in a way that wouldve been unheroic. Beowulf didnt respond in an unorderly
manner. Being a hero calls for Beowulf to act with a certain amount of class. Unlike many other
people, Beowulf kept his calm and used words to get revenge on Unferth. At this moment, we
could see the greatness in Beowulf. His hero like mentality allowed him to practice self-control
and not let others provoke him. Beowulf is prime example of being tested and maintaining
himself.

Nevertheless, my monster feeds off of failure, rage, and anger. Quite often, my monster
has prevailed in making me handle situations in the wrong manner. It has caused to say things

out of anger, lose people or possessions, and hurt myself in the process. What many people fail to
do is take off the blinders and realize that in fact they have a monster. They feed off of ignorance
and stubbornness. John Adams says, Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our
wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and
evidence. This quotes says that whether we want to admit it or not, these internal struggles that
we all have are factual. You cannot change that whether you agree, disagree, or know and dont
want to fix your problem.

Yes, everyone has an internal monster and I encourage everyone to defeat their monster.
In the future, I plan to make more conscious decisions. I have learned that every aspect of life
requires self-control. Identifying this monster has helped me get further in life. What used to be
my internal struggle is now one of my biggest life lessons. The ancient writer Platus once said,
The man who masters his own soul will forever be called conqueror of conquerors. No
monster or struggle can conquer you unless you allow it to. Once you grasp absolute control of
yourself you have conquered life. Sometimes you have to ask yourself, if you dont have control
of you, then who really does? Who are we to let other people define our actions? After you begin
thinking along those lines, success will be inevitable for you.

Works Cited

Monster (Merriam-Webster)
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monster

John Adams quote (BrainyQuote)

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnadams134175.html?src=t_stubborn

When others make you angry, they own you! (Omar M Kiam)
http://omarkiam.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/when-others-make-you-angry-they-own-you/

Adult Obesity Facts (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Americans in Debt Causes, Solutions & Legal Protections of Debt in the United States
(Debtorg News)
http://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/

Self-Control Quotes (Self-Control Quotes)

http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/topics/self_control_quotes.html