Research Papers / Essay On Democracy - help with grammatical revisions [2]

The one thing I need help with in this essay is proofreading, After reading it there were some sentences that didn't really flow nicely. I would very much appreciate the help it is due tomorrow!

On Democracy

Democracy contains within it the seeds of its own destruction and decay, as well as, of life and growth. Under unfavorable conditions, it may lead to tyranny of mediocre majority, the negation of freedom, the free play of self-interest and the deterioration of individual and national character. However under favorable conditions, it encourages self-reliance, initiative, and responsibility. It makes authority a trust and ensures equal consideration for all. Its strength depends upon the spiritual efforts that people put forth. [..]

Undergraduate / "About the sea' - "About me essay" [5]

I'm honestly a really terrible writer, so any help and revisions would be greatly appreciated. I feel like the first couple sentences are kind of awkward, and I think the sentences might have to be structured differently to sound better. :/

Sample Essay

The sea has always deeply fascinated me. Growing up I can remember my room and how it looked. I had a very intricate mural that had whales, turtles and vividly colored waves and corals intertwined within it, lamp sculptures that looked like dolphins, and a little fish tank in which was home to my pet fish, "Landrew". I couldn't tell you exactly where my passion came from. Having lived in Las Vegas for most of my life, I didn't get to spend much time near the ocean. I can tell you though, that growing up with such a love for the ocean has not only opened my eyes to a world of environmental issues and possibilities, but has also defined and shaped the person I am today. I am hopeful that through this love and passion, I will be able to make a positive difference in the world.

High school was one of the most memorable periods in my life. I played sports, had lots of friends, and fell in love for the first time, although I had an incredible passion for learning, one could say that I became somewhat distracted by the festivities around me and outside of school. I received decent grades and always managed to pull through, but it occurred to me that I hadn't really done anything of significance at this point in my life. I realized that I had to start somewhere.

Growing up in the desert, I knew that there wasn't a lot of opportunity that related to what I wanted to do. Often times I would just sit at home watching "The Blue Planet: Seas of life" documentaries, wishing that I could move somewhere else. Somewhere I could learn, grow, discover, and accomplish my dreams, but after many attempts of trying to get a job in California, and Washington, and various other places, I realized that perhaps I just needed to bloom where I was planted and make the best of what was in front of me.

I landed a job at a casino off the Las Vegas strip in early January of last year as a tour guide, and so far it has come to be one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have ever done.