Impossible Changes

     I am currently in the middle of reading a wonderfully enticing book called Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks. The main character, John, made a huge turn around in life a few years ago. He used to be a rough and tumble type of guy. He smoked, drank, and never did his any work in high school. Then after a few years of throwing his life away, he makes a huge change and joins the army. John has made himself into a completely new person, and I think it's really fascinating how vast the difference is between his life before and his life now.
    Just graduating high school, John barely passed and had no way of getting into a good college. He didn't care about grades, school, or training for a possible career. Every single night John would go to Leroy's, a local bar, and drink his feelings away. He used to smoke and do drugs with his buddies because he didn't care about anything. "During my senior year, my rebellion reached a high point..... I'd wanted those material things I lived 18 years without." All his life,  John had never gotten what he wanted. He was always living in a dump, not doing anything fun, and not having a good father figure in his life. His dad has always been awkward and unsocial, and they were never close. All his life, John has always wanted more, and was never able to get it. Now that he was finally old enough to realize that he has been cheated his whole life, he's pissed. His tough childhood has definitely made him into an aggressive and mad person now.
    3 years later, John's life has completely turned around. The book doesn't specify exactly when this day came, but all of sudden he had a wake up call. He realized he was throwing his life away, and he didn't want to do that anymore. With that, John decided to join the army. Now, 3 years since his senior days, he's a changed man. John is a slight drinker, doesn't smoke or do drugs. He still is not close with his father, yet they have an okay relationship. The two of them are able to have friendly conversation, and at least sleep in the same house, which wasn't too likely a long time ago. John and his dad haven't gotten in a fight in forever. He's a nice guy now, and he helps others. For example, Savannah says, "would the old you have jumped in the ocean and saved my purse?" John replies by saying, "No. I probably would have laughed." This completely shows the reader that he is a different person now. He doesn't do whatever he wants to now. He knows what's right and he knows what rules to follow. For the first time in years, John actually went on a real date. He claims he used to hook up with girls for a day and then drop them like flies, but not anymore. John met a girl named Savannah, who he really really likes. John treats her like a lady, and they do fun things together. They surf, eat, take walks, drive, go to parties, whereas before it was all about him picking up as many girls as he could. John is in such a good place with Savannah, and although they just met, I can see a love unfolding, which never would have been possible for John a few years ago.
     In conclusion, John has picked up his act and turned his life around, and has become a great man. While he used to be a total rebellion who disobeyed the laws, and didn't care about anything, he's completely different. Now, John is a nice guy, who serves his country, and always does the right thing. John's life has made a complete 360˚ turn, and that's really inspiring. This book tells people that anyone can accomplish anything, and to not give up when the times are rough. I am interesting and excited to see how John evolves into an even finer young man throughout the rest of the book.