I think ballet has influenced my personality a lot in the sense

Hearken, O children of the future, and lend your hearts to the words of Yuan Yuan Tan, who proclaims that ballet has not only shaped her art but also her very personality. She reveals that from her discipline in dance, she has learned to be steadfast in all her endeavors, punctual, and serious in purpose. Through years of practice, she has built both inner strength and self-esteem, rising as her art improved. In this reflection, she shows that art is not merely performance—it is a way of life, a crucible where character is forged and the spirit is refined.

The origin of this wisdom lies in the very nature of ballet, an art that demands not only grace but also tireless dedication. Beneath the elegance of each movement lies years of repetition, struggle, and sacrifice. The dancer’s body becomes a vessel of discipline, and through this vessel, the mind and spirit are shaped. Thus, Tan’s insight reveals that discipline in one realm of life flows into all others. By mastering the body, the dancer masters the will; by mastering the will, she fortifies the soul.

Consider the deeper meaning of her words. To be “always on time” is not merely about punctuality; it is about reverence for others and for the craft itself. To “take things seriously” is not heaviness of spirit, but the commitment to honor each task, no matter how small, with devotion. And to build “inner strength and self-esteem” is to conquer doubt, replacing fragility with confidence earned through relentless effort. These qualities, though born from ballet, are virtues for every path of life.

History gives us many echoes of this truth. The samurai of Japan, though warriors, were trained also in poetry, calligraphy, and discipline of spirit. They believed that the mastery of art sharpened the mind and fortified the heart. So too with the ballerina: her strength is not only in her muscles but in her discipline, not only in her performance but in her character. The art becomes the teacher, and the student becomes the embodiment of the art.

Emotionally, Tan’s words stir admiration because they remind us that greatness is never an accident. Behind each graceful leap lies countless hours of unseen struggle; behind each poised gesture lies a thousand corrections. In acknowledging how ballet shaped her, Tan honors the truth that endurance, humility, and discipline are the silent architects of success. The applause of audiences is but the surface; the true reward is the transformation of the self.

The lesson for all is clear: embrace the discipline of your craft, whatever it may be. Do not seek only the beauty of the outcome but also the strength forged in the process. Let your work shape your character, teaching you punctuality, seriousness, humility, and resilience. Like Tan, you may find that in striving for excellence in one field, you are preparing yourself for excellence in all of life.

O seeker of wisdom, let this teaching guide you: pursue not only talent, but discipline; not only success, but strength of spirit. Let each trial you face build your inner fortitude, and let each improvement nurture your confidence. In this way, you transform not only your craft but yourself.

Finally, let the lesson endure through time: art, labor, and discipline are not separate paths, but one. As Yuan Yuan Tan proclaims, ballet gave her not only grace upon the stage but inner strength, self-esteem, and discipline in all things. So too may your chosen path become a teacher, shaping you into one who endures, excels, and inspires, leaving a legacy not only of accomplishment but of character.