Finding X

essay written for my senior English class that was also features in the 2011-2012 edition of the 'Calliope'

            The first thing I think about when I hear ‘find x’ is a math equation.  But there is no one definition for x and it is not always a number.

            X stands for the unknown.  X marks the spot, like on a pirates’ treasure map.  X stands for ‘gold’ or treasure.  The treasure may not always be a buried chest filled with gold (don’t we wish it was though).  Treasure in this sense has a more abstract meaning.  Treasure is valuable.  We all have values, which vary.  For example, a quarter is like a dollar to a toddler, a dollar is like five dollars to an elementary student, five dollars is like one-hundred to a pre-teen, and one-hundred dollars is like a thousand to a teenager… but enough about money.  Value: a principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable.  Basically, what is important to you.

            Back to the treasure map.  X is never easily obtained.  We have to travel through many trying trials and obstacles to get the treasure.  The map is our lives, the dotted line leading through the crocodile infested swamp and over the massive mountain represents the decisions we make.  That is to say that if we decide to swim through the crocodile swamp, we may never obtain said X.  But if we use a boat or just go around the bodies of water, we may get to X quite quickly.  We may make a detour here or there, but that is because life can’t be ‘mapped out’.  Stuff happens.  I can tell you from experience, not everything ever goes as planned.

            I believe the key to finding X is to focus on X, naturally, but not solely on X.  There is a quote from a song I like that goes like this: “It’s not the end.  Not the kingdom come.  It is the journey that matters.”  The song is ‘Wanderlust’ by Nightwish and I believe what the songwriter is trying to say is that we have to  live life and enjoy it, because what is the point of reaching ‘kingdom come’ or finding X if you didn’t have fun doing it?  Sure, there are the rough patches in life, but what makes obtaining X worthwhile is the fact you can say “Wow, what a ride.”

            As I stated before, X is different for everyone, and as much as most of us would like a chest full of gold, X often takes on a more abstract meaning for us.  For me, X is to be happy and someday become a published author.  Finding the true X is not as easy as finding x2+3=21.