Paragraph (from Laozi, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 11) “Thirty spokes share the wheel’s hub; it is the center hole that makes it useful. Shape clay into a vessel; it is the emptiness inside that makes it useful. Cut doors and windows for a room; it is the holes which make it useful. Therefore profit comes from what is there; usefulness from what is not there.” The first time I read this passage from Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, I honestly had to read it twice because it felt so simple that it almost didn’t make sense at first. A wheel needs a hole, a cup needs empty space, a room needs doors and windows. It sounded like basic common sense. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized that Laozi wasn’t really talking about wheels or cups at all. He was talking about how people see value in the world, and how sometimes the most important things are the ones you can’t physically see. As a college student balancing school, athletics, and life, this idea hit me in a way I didn’t expect. It made me think about how much of my life is built around things that aren’t visible, like support, discipline, and purpose, and how those things are actually what make everything else work. Laozi’s main idea in this passage is that usefulness comes from emptiness, not just from what exists physically. At first, that sounds confusing, but his examples make it clearer. A wheel would be useless without the empty space in the center because it wouldn’t be able to move. A cup would be pointless if it were solid because it couldn’t hold anything. A room without openings would just be a box that no one could enter. Laozi uses these everyday objects to show that absence creates purpose. The deeper meaning here is that people often focus too much on what is visible, such as possessions, achievements, or status, while ignoring the invisible qualities that actually make life meaningful. Through close reading, it becomes clear that Laozi is challenging readers to rethink what they consider valuable and to understand that space, openness, and unseen qualities are often what give things their true purpose. This idea connects strongly to the line, “profit comes from what is there; usefulness from what is not there,” which feels like the heart of the entire passage. Laozi is drawing a distinction between material gain and meaningful function. Profit comes from physical things, things you can measure or see, but usefulness comes from the invisible aspects that give those things purpose. In a modern world where success is usually measured by grades, money, awards, or achievements, this message feels especially relevant. As a student, it is easy to focus only on results like GPA, statistics, or accomplishments, but Laozi reminds us that the deeper value comes from qualities like patience, understanding, and reflection. Those things cannot be seen on paper, but they shape how we learn and grow. Close reading reveals that Laozi is not rejecting success or progress; he is simply arguing that meaning comes from deeper, less obvious places. What makes this passage stand out to me personally is how it relates to the college experience and learning in general. In school, students are often encouraged to gather as much information as possible, fill their schedules, and stay constantly busy. However, Laozi’s message suggests that learning also requires space, time to think, reflect, and process ideas. Without that space, knowledge becomes shallow and rushed. I have noticed that some of my best understanding comes not during lectures or assignments, but during quiet moments afterward when I sit and think about what I learned. That empty space, the pause between learning and understanding, is what allows ideas to actually stick. In this way, Laozi’s message feels less like ancient philosophy and more like practical advice for how to approach education and life. Another powerful part of this passage is the idea of perspective. Laozi encourages readers to slow down and look deeper instead of accepting things at face value. A wheel is not just a wheel, and a cup is not just a cup. Everything has a hidden function or meaning that only becomes clear through careful observation and thought. This connects directly to the importance of close reading because close reading is about paying attention to details and uncovering hidden messages within a text. Without that effort, the passage would seem ordinary and unremarkable. With close reading, it becomes a lesson about life, purpose, and the way people understand value. Laozi is essentially teaching readers how to think, not just what to think, and that makes his message timeless. On a deeper level, this passage also reflects the importance of humility and openness. Recognizing the value of emptiness means accepting that we do not always have all the answers and that there is always room to grow. A full cup cannot hold anything new, and a closed mind cannot learn. Laozi’s message encourages readers to stay open to new ideas and to appreciate the quiet and unseen aspects of life that often go unnoticed. For me, this idea feels grounding because it reminds me that learning is not about being perfect or having everything figured out, but about staying open and continuing to grow over time. In the end, Laozi’s paragraph from the Tao Te Ching teaches that true usefulness and meaning come from what is not immediately visible. Through simple examples, he reveals a deeper truth about how people understand value, knowledge, and purpose. Close reading allows readers to move beyond the surface and uncover the philosophical message hidden within the text. For me, this passage serves as a reminder that success is not just about achievements or visible results, but about the unseen qualities that shape who we become. By taking the time to read closely and think deeply, readers can discover that sometimes the most important parts of life are the ones that cannot be seen, but are always there in the background, quietly giving everything else meaning.

Sustainability should be a priority in business because businesses have one of the biggest impacts on the environment, and their choices affect everyday people in real ways. As a freshman at Mansfield University studying business and playing Division II field hockey, I have started to realize that leadership is not just about winning games or making money, but about making responsible decisions that help others and protect the future. Business leaders have the power to change how companies operate, and if sustainability becomes a priority, it can create a healthier planet for everyone. A moment that really made me think about this happened during preseason field hockey. After one of our long practices, I stayed behind on the field with a few teammates while the sun was starting to set over the mountains around Mansfield. We were exhausted, sitting in the grass and talking about school, goals, and what we wanted to do in the future. One of my teammates mentioned how peaceful it felt being outside and how she hoped places like this would still look the same years from now. That stuck with me. It made me realize that the environment is something we often take for granted, but it is also something that can easily be damaged if people and businesses don’t take responsibility. Sitting there, looking at the field and the mountains around us, I started thinking about how important it is to protect the world we live in. In the business field, sustainability should be a priority because companies influence how products are made, how resources are used, and how waste is handled. Customers today care more about environmental responsibility, and businesses that ignore sustainability risk losing trust and harming the planet at the same time. Sustainable practices like reducing waste, using recyclable materials, and supporting eco-friendly production not only help the environment but also create long-term success for companies. Business should not just focus on profit; it should also focus on responsibility and impact. In the future, I see myself helping reduce environmental impact by working in business management or marketing and encouraging companies to adopt greener practices. I want to be part of a company that values sustainability and understands that protecting the environment is part of being a good leader. I hope to help businesses create strategies that promote eco-friendly products, reduce waste in their operations, and make smarter decisions about resources. Even small changes, like better packaging or energy-efficient offices, can make a big difference over time. Playing Division II field hockey has taught me that teamwork and accountability are essential for success. On the field, every player has a role, and when everyone works together, the team becomes stronger. I believe sustainability works the same way in business. When leaders and employees work together toward environmentally responsible goals, real change can happen. I want to bring that same mindset of teamwork and responsibility into my future career.Sustainability should be a priority in business because the decisions made today will shape the world of tomorrow. As a business major and student-athlete at Mansfield University, I want to use my education and leadership skills to help companies make smarter, greener decisions so that future students, athletes, and communities can continue to enjoy and depend on the environment just like I do now.

I love the clouds. When I was younger, I remember being so close to them that I felt like I could reach out and put one in my pocket. I can almost smell the dewy flowers and the faint scent of spring. I can feel the joyous emotion I can't quite put a name to...the smile on my brother's face when he, too, felt the clouds. My dad is the only father figure I've been blessed to have in my life. He is a busy man who works a very tedious job in order to provide for my family and me. My dad always pushed me when it came to life, athletics, and academics because he knew my true potential. What sometimes felt confining was his way of getting me to where I could be. I've never met anyone with the same qualities of my father. I'd never met anyone who was even close to resembling him at all. Growing up, his form of tough love made me overlook all the good he did for me. Being far away from home to attend college allowed me to reflect on my personal relationships, especially with my father. My dad always does what's in my best interest and loves me in ways I sometimes don't understand. He’ll insist on driving my car because he wants to take care of me. He’s not good with affection, but hugged and supported me after my boyfriend and I broke up. Though sometimes having strong opinions, he has a soft spot for me and listens to my perspective on everything, even if he disagrees. He's the reason I pushed myself so hard in high school to maintain my academic standing. Ever since I was a child, my dad has been someone I look up to, someone I respect, and someone I love more than anyone in my life. When we were little, my dad would always make up games to play with my brother and I. One where he chased us in the grass outside of our apartment complex. He’d always catch us eventually, scoop us up, toss us a few inches into the air, and catch us on our way down. When I was younger, those few inches felt like forever; like I was flying up in the clouds. My dad is the most special man to me. My entire childhood, he’s been showing me the clouds and how high my potential is and where it can get me in life. I love the clouds because of my dad, but it's because of the clouds that I realize how much he loves me.