So, you may have noticed the interface of the blog looks a bit different. The avatar you see on the left hand side of the screen is not just a fit of whimsy on my part--she actually serves a purpose. She is supposed to resemble me so that you realize she does have a purpose (yes, I know she is much prettier--shut up! That's the perks of having a computer alter-ego! :) ).
But I digress. Anyhoo, if you click on the "play" button at the bottom the avatar screen (looks like the play button on a dvd player, with a little arrow thingy)you will hear my voice saying hello to you. For now, that is all she should say, but as the weeks progress, I may record directions or questions for your listening pleasure, so be aware that this new feature is there so that you get used to seeing (and listening) to it. Cool, huh?
Now, onward and upward.
In approximately 8 days, you will be presenting speeches about a topic in which you have some strong feelings. Tomorrow (Monday), you will be writing your topic down on a notecard and handing it in. So, I think it would be beneficial to you all to start to gather your thoughts a bit. Don't worry, you won't be giving anything away.
Many moons ago, Mahatma Ghandi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Heady stuff, that. Every time I think about those words, I realize how much potential they have.
Change. Obama centered his entire Presedential campaign on that notion.
Change is the source of anxiety, anticipation even angst. Change opens doors wide and slams windows shut, sometimes simultaneously. Change is an instrument of power.
So, poppets, tell me. What is the change YOU wish to see in the world? Why? How could/would you go about affecting this change? Is it something you want to change in yourself? In others? Think about it and tell me more...
(450 words/65pts)
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105 comments:
oh lord. just throwing it out there, I HATE CHANGE. so this blog is going to be quite interesting for me to write =]
didn't even read the blog. just stopped at the talking head
oh freaking man. I thought that was an ad. gah..
And now you're watching us...
I was talking about this at work the other day, since my manager opposes change, and I absolutely love change. Funny actually because my path in the world is to find stability, yet change excites me. There are so many things that I wish I could change, but I can’t even change the occurrences in my own life. I wish I could change people. Now that is extremely broad, but I wish I could change the mindset most teenagers have and even adults. If only I could implant words like ambition, hard work, and maturity in the heads of the lazy and immature people. I have an abundant amount of friends that don’t even understand the concept of work. They just want to be the manager or just want to collect a paycheck. You work first, then you get a paycheck. You get promotions because you do above and beyond the company’s expectations. At work, everyone always tells me how great of a job I do and even one girl asked me why I overly exceed the expectations of a serving job when it won’t be a career. I just work and do my best. I fell in love with a guy that was the exact opposite that I wanted. He was someone with no job, didn’t go to college, and had no ambition to become anything when he had all the potential in the world with a high IQ and access to Berkley University. I have two half-sisters in their late thirties and early forties that are literally gold diggers because they want to be taken care of by a man. I wish people had the courage to stand a lone, be independent, and allow themselves to be vulnerable. Allow yourself to be your personal best and have the ambition to do something for yourself and then for others. If people gave their best in everything they set out to do then our world would be a better place and a whole heck of a lot more would be accomplished. I understand procrastination exists. I always procrastinate usually. Except when I’m totally aware of time constraints like I am now ( I work five days this week.. WHAT THE HECK…. IS THAT EVEN LEGAL? 4:45- 10:30- 11 ish). Every friend I’ve had has let me down in someway. It’s possible to say this because I probably have way too high of expectations. I have friends in rehab, dropped out of school, got kicked out of their house, have no job, and the list goes on. Most times I allow their problems to overwhelm me then I give them some sort of encouraging advice and watch them just continue to stumble over their issues expecting to be pitied. Changing the mindset of anyone is extremely hard because your mindset that you have is usually due to your childhood and experiences. Classes and therapy sessions should be developed within schools and made available at jobs or even at free therapeutic clinics. If we force people to stay on the tracks to a better road then maybe less people will be admitted into mental health institutions. A lot of people who don’t care about their own lives feel as if no one cares about them. It is definitely something I want to change in myself. I feel as if I’m on a good road but there is always a better one. I have a job, I have a feel for what I want to do out of life, and I manage to get my school work done. I wish I had more time to study and most times I feel like I support myself except I just don’t pay rent at my house at least not yet. In nine months, I’ll probably have to. I wish I had the ambition to study hours and review past lessons like I know some of my classmates do, but finding the time is extremely hard. Getting five hours a sleep is hard enough. Overall, I wish I could help or aid someone in becoming so much more than they ever thought they could be. I wish I could influence the many minds like the motivational speak D. West (I think that’s his name).. I saw him on Maury (Yes, I’ve watched that show probably everyday during the summer) He was a firm believer in turning around teenager’s lives with giving them a dose of reality, but also encouraging them to do better. He spoke with reinforcement in his voice and with strong eye-contact, but he wasn’t solely intimidating because he was extremely caring. He disciplined and then was caring after the teenager broke down. I could never speak like that proud man. I hope I could deliver a powerful message in a different way.
So, I was reading this blog, and as I was just about to type some witty response when I heard the trailer from "Confessions of a Shopaholic" (or whatever its called), and the main character was like "The funny thing about changing your life is that it can change everything."
Oh? Thank you, main character, for that insightful remark. I bet it took a long time for you to think of that one.
D:< NOW I FORGOT WHAT I WAS GOING TO WRITE BLAST.
I actually read the book, Confessions of a Shopaholic. It was pretty funny. I've also read Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Confessions of a Not It Girl, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Confessions of a Teenage Hollywood Star, and 6X: The Uncensored Confessions. Strangely enough, all of these so-called "confessions" are completely fictional. Odd, no?
hahaha maegan...
"The funny thing about changing your life is that it can change everything."
What does that even mean? Pfft. Dumb trying to be insightful phrases that aren't even that insightfullllllll
"The funny thing about changing your life is that it can change everything."
What does that even mean? Pfft. Dumb trying to be insightful phrases that aren't even that insightfullllllll
Maegan:
haaha i love you and your comments :)
Before this year, change always seemed exciting and welcomed into my life. I accepted it with open arms and a big smile, but this year I shudder at the word. Change, what a horrible connotation it has in my mind. It is probably due to the fact that change could mean losing the people who mean the most in my life, or the idea that it could bring about possibilities that are new and horrifying like college searching. Change uproots the life I am enjoying and completely rearranges it, that safeness and security I felt before is all gone. Despite my negative feelings, I once again have to start embracing change because it is always going to be part of life, there is no getting around it.
If there is going to be change at all I want it to be positive, therefore the best way to bring about that is to “be the change you want to see in the world”. In my life, like most of my friends and people my age, are for the majority of their time in school so that is where we are influenced heavily. For five days a week, we are all forced to spend seven hours a day in Oakcrest going from class to class until the final bell rings. Whether you like it or not, you pick up on things that are going on around you. Acceptance is a major issue in high school. Acceptance of one’s self and accepting others around you. I want to see people being accepted as they are, not only by peers in high school but throughout the world. People should be welcomed regardless of their race, ethnicity, religious views, style, sexual orientation, and anything else people may discriminate for. I hate walking down the hallways and seeing certain students being alienated by others for reasons as preposterous as the way they dress. The way you dress is NOT what defines a person. I hear gossip all the time, it is just a part of everyday high school life. I despise hearing people say “I don’t like so and so” just based on what they are wearing or for trivial things like who they are friends with. I admit I have done that, but when I reflect on it I realize how horrid that truly is. I would be so upset if I heard someone say that about me. You cannot pass judgement on someone if you don’t take the time to get to know them. I am really making an attempt to not talk about people behind their backs. There is no justification for putting down someone else, and it just makes me feel like a bad person inside.
Out in the real world there is even less tolerance. Anti Homosexual rallies are going along, as well as groups that discriminate on religion and ethnicity. It is a terrible thing to look out and see all of this hatred and animosity. During rallies, like ones against Gay marriages, there are so many harsh, hurtful things said that I can’t imagine how people of that orientation are feeling when they hear those things. We are all people, and we should not be discriminating on one another for a difference in beliefs. People just need to accept one another for who they are; even if they don’t agree with someone else’s beliefs it does not justify a reason to be cruel to one another. If other people could uphold that belief our school, and world, would be a much better place. No one wants to feel isolated; everyone yearns for acceptance, even those who dare to be different.
I want to see myself and others around me be more open minded and accept others for who they are. Do not automatically shun someone just because they are not like you. It is a difficult thing to do because it is easier to just say “No I don’t like that person” rather than take the time to get to know them. My effort to help bring about the positive change that is truly needed in our society is to not be so judgmental and take the time to get to know others who beliefs may differ from my own. Accepting everyone as they are would make the world more at peace.
Now for me, it’s a pretty simple change, but I think the world would be better for it. It sounds a bit like my usual rant on observation, but there’s a difference here. I won’t go on about admiring the beauty of the world this time. This time I’m going to ask people to open their damn eyes for a little while, and see what’s going on!
So many of the world’s problems stem from not being awake. I know that people are idiots as a rule, but I refuse to believe that they are incapable of seeing. They just don’t take the time. Information washes over us: stocks are up, gas prices are down, another five soldiers were killed in Iraq, a dog was rescued from a pond in Oklahoma. We have access to so much that none of it means anything anymore. Add to that the wonders of the cinema, and even the most dramatic reality is dull and colorless. (Disclaimer. I’m not saying we’re all heartless. A real tragedy that somehow strikes us close to home still brings out action and emotion.)
But I’m sure that we can still see, that we’re just lost somewhere in the morass of information. If you confront a person with one fact, one photograph, one reality, they will still react humanly. They just need to see it first.
And once we can see, we can act upon the information. I can’t guarantee that we’ll do anything useful or intelligent, but we’ll do something. With enough of a fuss, we’re bound to get noticed. And then, the powers-that-be will either listen or crush us to blood, depending on where we live.
And if the habit of seeing and speaking plainly infects our rulers, what a wondrous world we could live in. Even if one ruler was corrupt or just plain evil, he couldn’t hide behind a web of justifying words. The other rulers (they can’t all be evil) would put him out of power quickly and easily. And, with luck, they wouldn’t be corrupted, because they’d take the ten seconds needed to say “Does this go against my morals? Is it theft? Is it murder?” and act accordingly.
And how will I promote this change? Well, much the same way I promote everything. Climb on top of a desk or table or rooftop, and shout my lungs out. Get an ad on TV or in the papers. Take control of an editorial section in a minor newspaper. Start a blog. Or maybe I’ll make my way to a position of power and preach from there. What I’m describing is in fact political suicide, and goes against about ¾ of the 48 Laws of Power. I’ll probably be eaten alive before I make enough noise for anyone to notice. But there’s a chance, though a slim one, that it might actually work, and that people may actually open their eyes.
Hilary: I think the idea is that one life can have effects on the rest of the universe. But it really makes more sense if you don't look at it closely. It works for presentations at long meetings, and speeches that aren't meant to be listened to.
I’d like to see a more caring and appreciative earth. I’m not going to go on an all-you-need-is-love spiel because you don’t need love to have some level of respect for a human being. It’s a simple courtesy we should all have towards another but apparently some of us believe it’s okay to blow off their friends or anyone counting on them for that matter. Empty promises never should be made. And if they are, the least you could do is make it up to the poor soul you crushed. I’m not asking people to go down to Nigeria to adopt a homeless baby. But you know a simple “Hey what’s up?” text message could show that you care about someone other than yourself or that you are really really REALLY bored and need some one to talk to. Either way you are showing the person you are talking to that you at least kinda sorta care about how they are doing, therefore caring about them.
How do I affect this change in the world? Good question. How do I affect any change in the world? I suppose I should start with actually speaking to the world. There’s that speech I have to present next week, that counts. Yurp. Oh I have an idea! =) People learn by example so if I make a clan of care-givers that travel around the world sending positive power then the sheep will follow and I would die happy. But I’m a broke teenager with no significant ties to any countries, so that’s probably not going to happen. Looks like we are going to have to go to Plan B. I’ve got nothing… (Kidding) I could still be a model for appreciation by giving back to the community. Volunteering that’s some good stuff, so is infecting people with smiles, and being a hug-a-holic. It’s the minute little details that make the world a better place to live in.
I’m not perfect but I’m also not a jerk. I like to show the people that I care for that I appreciate their existence on this earth by listening to them, giving them hugs/kisses, making them laugh and much more. It’s the least I can do. Without them I would be lost in this world. They mean that much to me. But I am guilty of taking my family for granted. It’s probably because sometimes they can really be the pain in my left butt check but really, that’s no excuse. I should throw out a little more thank yous out there now and then.
There are some people that I’d really like to smack the crap out of them. They are the selfish idiots that make me smad. They don’t give a hoot about anybody else and I don’t understand why. Ahhhh! Okay I’m going to stop now before I go on a rant. Bye!
Eva B.
I like your view that if we actually take the time to open our eyes we can see the beauty of the world. Thanx I didn't even think of the blog in that way 'til i read yours. =)
Morgan:
I agree with you that change often has a negative connotation and is often feared by people. This is one reason why a powerful motivator like Obama can preach change and gain followers, because these people have found hope and trust in someone they believe can lead them further in life.
Maegan, I heard that ad on tv about confessions of a shopaholic a little while ago and i laughed in disgust in my head. Hearing that made that movie look ten times more stupid (even though i'll probably end up seeing it). Thank you for not making me feel like the only angry person out there to get mad at a comercial. :)
Hmm... change.
Change is inevitable. Change is the reason we have survived; it is the reason why each generation is different unique from the next.
Change.
I noticed the quote "Be the change you want to see in the world" on the marker board a couple of weeks ago and its profoundness made me think. Mahatma Ghandi was obviously knew how to stick it to the man.
What is the change that I want to see in the world? Honestly, I would like to see a little more kindness and a better understanding of others in the world. So (so so so so so so so so so so so) many wars, battles, deaths, tragedies, etc. have been the effects of people who do not understand each other... people who REFUSE to understand each other. For example, Shiites and Sunnis, Israelites and Palestinians, Native Americans and soon-to-be Americans, Republicans and Democrats, Federalists and Confederates, and countless others. I suppose it is the nature of man to be hateful of diverse groups to the point of destruction. However, with the power to change the stubborn mindset of man to ostracize the weird, it would stop the hate and peace would take its place.
On a global scale, it would be hard for one individual to change the entire world's mindset. Even with a high position, it is almost impossible. However, small changes can be made to affect others. Perhaps, with a snowball effect, it can change many.
The best way to change others is to lead by example. Become the change you want to see in the world. Become the accepting, peace-keeping person you want so longingly to see in others. The first way to start change is with yourself.
** Not done. I clicked it by accident :P
I think the problem with this concept is hypocrisy. This quote says it all:
"... Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?"
Yes, that's a Bible verse, but it is quite profound in message. It basically says, look within yourself and remove your own faults before you start even thinking about judging another. Technically, this would make judging someone else impossible because no one is perfect, and everyone has faults they can find within themselves. That is why "good change" in people is difficult. It's even more difficult to look in the mirror and reflect on oneself.
Phew.
If I could change the world, I would make sure that never again would any parent be allowed to name their poor child "Gertrude" (my mom wanted to name me Gertrude).
Nobody should have to suffer the being called “Gertrude” their entire life, and nobody else should ever have to hear it or say it. I am not sure how I could affect this change. But it is something that should be done.
"It's Gordon ... Gordon Ramsay?" -- Paris Hilton, asked to name Britain's Prime Minister.
One change I’d like to affect in the wide world is for people to be better informed. I could do this by telling three people one random factoid per day. If I did this, then after just one year, 1095 would know a little bit more than they used to. Every little bit counts. And if I told five people a fact per day, then 1825 people would know more after one year. And if me and four others (five people total) each told five people a fact per day, then 9125 would know a little more. Now imagine if I told five people every day, and those five people each told five people every day, and then THOSE five people each told five people just one little fact… then, well… okay, I’m not good enough at math to figure out the exact number, but after one year A LOT of people would know something new. And hopefully, vapid blond heiresses who think that the host of Hell’s Kitchen is actually the British Prime Minister will be but a distant memory…
"The fearless are merely fearless. People who act in spite of their fear are truly brave." -James A. LaFond-Lewis
There’s something in my personal world that I’d like to change as well. As you may be able to tell from my quote, I want to be brave. Ever since I was old enough to think about such things, I’ve worried that I’m not brave; that at heart, I’m a coward, and when I reach important points in my life, I will fail myself because I lack courage, and live the mediocre existence of a spineless worm. The problem is, I don’t know if I’m brave or not. A nagging little voice in my head says no, and we all have the kind of voice I’m talking about. It’s always in the back of your mind, whispering that you’re destined to fail, you’re weak, the speech you wrote sucks and every joke you make is lame and will induce only pity laughs at best (oh, god, I hate this voice, and for some strange reason, mine sounds like how I imagine Umbridge from HP would sound combined with the guidance councilor at Mullica…). Then, of course, I have another voice saying that I’m Sarah friggin’ Crane and of course I’m brave, funny, and extraordinary in every way. And finally there’s Voice of Reason saying that, since I’ve never been faced with actual hardship, I can’t really be sure if I’m brave or not. And so we’re back to square one, a question that has plagued me throughout my existence… am I brave? Well, I think the best I can say is that I try to be brave, and if I want to affect change in my own life, I should continue to do so and hope for the best.
Up until maybe this year or the last, when most of us heard the term ‘change,’ we were immediately interested. We viewed change as ‘a good thing’ or and an adjustment ‘for the better.’ Though nowadays, from all the commotion overseas, difficulties in government and dilemmas in our everyday lives, change has taken a turn for the worse.
On a personal level, I believe you can achieve something good from what may seem to be the worst changes ever. Sure, they can be scary at first, but you can learn from everything that happened because of it. Isn’t that what our country was based on? Our Founding Fathers disagreed with the British way of governing, so they made sure to change it in the new land. The Articles of Confederation were written, which were later changed dramatically to form our Constitution. Even that has been amended! So, change has been a part of our country since the beginning and I believe it’s time we stop being so afraid and embrace it, once again.
When discussing the world, I immediately think of the gazillion people who make up our Earth. I think of all the people in different countries who speak different languages, look differently and ultimately live completely different lives. However, despite our vast differences, we are extremely similar in the way we interact with each other. We all want to be happy, successful and appreciated, but this can be altered by the influence of others. So, if I could make any change to our planet, it would definitely be to the people who take advantage of what they are given, don’t appreciate the things right in front of them and prevent the happiness in another’s life.
In appreciating what you have and/or have been given, both sides of the spectrum gain—you and the giver. You are happy with what was given to you while the giver is rewarded with the satisfaction of your happiness. Our lovely world would be a much happier place if everyone followed this simple principle.
Sadly, this isn’t the way things are at all. Not now, at least. I’d assume it wasn’t always this way, like a REALLY long time ago, but now with the technologies around up for grabs by any little brat in the store; appreciation has been lost throughout the years. This is definitely something that could be gained more by my generation especially. I cannot generalize us completely, but I know a good amount of us ignore even the littlest things in life. It’s ridiculous how much better life could be if we all appreciated more.
In order for this ideal attitude to be instilled in the world, a great amount of effort and cooperation must be put forth. Let me explain— in my opinion, a lot of who we are comes from how we have been raised at home. So in order to tame this wild animal, we must find its roots. If somehow, we could reinforce the importance and good that comes from appreciation, the world would surely change for the better.
Toni-
"At work, everyone always tells me how great of a job I do and even one girl asked me why I overly exceed the expectations of a serving job when it won’t be a career. I just work and do my best."
I know exactly what you mean. A lot of people, especially our age, truly don't have the drive to exceed in even the littlest of things, such as at your work. They simply don't realize how much you can benefit from doing your best all the time. If more of us had this influence you speak of, we as people would be much more successful and goal-oriented.
Right when you’ve finally become accustomed to your current surroundings, change comes dashing full throttle towards you. It seems change has a habit of awaiting the perfect moment to mess things up. Change has progressively developed a more negative connotation, rather than positive to most of us Americans. Just mentioning the word change makes thousands, even millions, of people cower in fear. But Obama seems to have gotten far by centering his campaign on change. After all, our country is in dire need of some renovation. Sometimes change can be a wonderful thing, but most people would rather not have change occur at all within their lives.
For me personally, I don’t mind change. Well the positives changes at least. I wish I could live without my surroundings changing for the worse. I’m sure most would agree, as well. But with change, we can’t just have the good without the bad. That’s life. We have to accept both just as they are. Nevertheless, there are so many things in not only our lives, but throughout the entire world that need tweaking.
I feel that no one takes the time to look around and appreciate what they have. In our current economic state, people should be thankful that they’re even able to put food on the table. It makes me sick to see people constantly yearning for more and neglecting all the wonderful things they already have. We’re all brats, and it just continues to become worse from each generation to the next. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not materialistic at all, but I feel that I have learned to not expect so much from others. If more people had this outlook on life, the world would be a more peaceful and just genuinely kind place. It’s sad to see how much people rely on objects. The world would such a better place if we all would get out of that materialistic box we’re trapped in. Hardly any of us can actually afford to be spoiled, and for the rest of us, quite frankly, I’m sick of the brats that get everything they want. Yeah, I used to be one of those brats, but over the past few years, I’ve learned that there are so many more important things in life to treasure besides the necessities. In my opinion, this is something people have to learn on their own accord. Your parents, friends, and peers can pester you about it, but it doesn’t matter what they say until it finally clicks in your own head. People just need to stop expecting so much, and open their hearts to what they have around them. Possibly take a trip to a country struggling from poverty, like Haiti, for example (Le classe de francais…). From my perspective, this isn’t something I need to change in myself, rather those around me. Truthfully, I’m just glad I wake up every morning and have amazing people to share my life with. I wish everyone could open their eyes to see how lucky they truly are.
So I've been pondering my answer to this blog ever since I read it the other day. My first and strongest idea was to write about the lack of compassion in this world. Then I read my Hilface's response and I couldn't help but agree with everything she wrote. I think that she hit all the main points I was planning on bringing up. As a result, I'm going to delve a little bit deeper. Instead of repeating everything Hil already said in my own words, I'm going to elaborate on WHY we all lack compassion. This will eventually present what I would like to change...
I have this belief that every baby is born with a clean slate, and no one will convince me otherwise. It's comparable to the idea that at the beginning of the marking period we all have a 100. I don't know why or how I developed this view...but anyway I think that our parents (or whoever raises us) shape and mold who we are. We are nothing more then a ball of playdough that can turn into anything.
Think about the child that witnessed his mother being abused. He will most likely grow up to be a defensive hardass, bitter about the world around him. And what about the 5 year old that loses a little sister? No doubt they will have some level of emotional instability when they grow older. You see, major traumatic events that happen to us when we are young play a huge role in who we become. Take Hitler for example. He grew up in an abusive household, never knowing what to expect from his parents. He hated his father, and when his beloved mother died, he fell apart. This man went on to kill 6 million plus Jews in World War II. I’m not at all saying that everyone that comes from a rough past will be a monster. Because some people have an inner strength that allows them to come away from these events stronger and better. Yet in general I think we can all agree that certain experiences force us to grow up too quickly and will haunt us throughout the rest of our lives.
With this idea in mind, I'm sure you can tell what's coming. The change I would like to see in the world is for all children to have a healthy childhood. I feel as though a good upbringing with laughter, teaching, fun, love, etc will have an extremely positive effect on the world as a whole. I'm not saying that every moment has to be perfect, because problems are a natural part of life. I'm more or less saying that only people who are willing and ready to be parents should procreate. If this were the case all children would have a better chance at success. If more kids were raised in a positive environment, there would be an influx in moral fiber, compassion, love, generosity, and optimism.
Not surprisingly the belief that I have about childhood will coincide beautifully with what I plan on writing about in my speech :)
Morg--
Don't be afraid of change. It can be a really great thing after all the hardships it may bring. :) Just stay positive when things get rocky, and you'll be fine! I also really liked the fact that you chose acceptance as what you would like to change. You're sucha sweetheart. :) But I completely agree with you about how everyone is so judgemental over the dumbest things! I got in an argument with my mother (what's new?) at dinner about how judgemental she can be. That frustrates me to no end.
If I could change one thing, I would change the morals of teenagers today. Teenagers have lost all meaning of life values. On a daily basis they forget who they are and what their purpose in life is. They are practically throwing their lives away. And I am not saying that I am excluded from this group, but it is just something I believe. Girls walk around, wearing close to nothing, allowing boys to judge them on their looks, to demean their existence. Girls at fourteen are giving their precious bodies away to ill-mannered boys. Boys lost all chivalry, forgetting how to care for a girl. Every weekend there are the parties where teenagers lose control, do stupid things, and slowly forget who they are. Girls have lost respect in themselves. Boys seem to think it is ‘un-cool’ to be smart. There are those kids who have so much potential, but they don’t care. It is the morals that teenagers are lacking. What happened to girls saving themselves until marriage? What happened to the chivalry that used to exist among boys? What happened to the respect that children used to have for their parents? What happened to the pride children had in succeeding? All the old-fashioned morals have been lost throughout the years.
It would be a drastic change, forcing millions of teenagers to find themselves, to see who they really are. Beneath the walls of the high school, the basements of friend’s houses, there are the core beliefs of the teenagers; the pure, core, beliefs of the teenagers. Affecting this change would be difficult. I think a worldwide intervention would work best. Teenagers just need to take a step outside their own self and see how they act, I am sure they would be shocked. When you were little, you dreamed of being a teenager, thinking it was the best time of your life. And for some, it may be. But the choices that we make and the actions that we take may make it one of the worst times in our life.
I want to go back in time. I want to live life during the days where everyone had their principles and values in life, and they stuck to them. Teenagers today may have values, but they don’t necessarily stick to them. I have seen beautiful smart girls come into high school and become something they aren’t. They got sucked into the harsh world and forgot their core values. You walk through the mall, and you see kids mocking adults, thinking that they are superior to everyone around them. The respect that has been lost for adults is shocking. No longer do we follow the motto, ‘respect your elders’ because apparently teenagers think they rule the world.
I want to see this change, not for myself, but for others. I don’t want to raise my children in a society where they don’t listen to any word that I say. I want them to be able to trust me and the advice that I give them. I don’t want them to have to go through a time in their life where they have to succumb to peer pressure, losing their morals on the way. I don’t want them to have the option of throwing away their life. Of course, I want them to have fun, but not in a way that takes away the morality of them.
I was in the locker room the other day, listening to a story about a girl who got her full ride to college taken away because she was driving home from a concert with four girls in her car, and alcohol in the trunk. Her life will forever be changed. But why did she want to do this? She comes from a very well-kept family, with parents that love her dearly. But her morals were lost that night, she knew what she was doing was wrong, as she was driving home. But why did she say yes? I want the morals of kids to play a bigger part in their life, to guide them to success.
Ever so conveniently, I read this blog as I flipped through the channels of my TV and came across the show “The Girls of Hedsor Hall”. At first glance, as all reality television does, the program almost makes you feel as if watching it would force you to contract the stupidity and pettiness like an airborne illness. Twelve of the most ill behaved women of America were brought together to fight a common battle and help each other to become classy, elegant, and respectable women. Bear in mind they are flown to Windsor, England to Hedsor Hall Finishing School and it is pretty legit. They are to be instructed by two severely proper British women as well as the former Mrs. USA who almost got her crown taken away because she was caught partying or something to that effect. Let me tell you, I only watched about 15 minutes of the show before I had to turn it off. It was ridiculous how some women (and people in general)
act.*
But in all actuality, the show makes sense to me. As most of you know, my mother came to America from Britain when she was only 18 and she holds many if not all of the ideals the same as the head mistresses of the show do.
And as I watched, I just laughed because it reminded me so much of being there. I heard one of the headmaster’s voices’ and a mental image of my own grandmother shot into my brain and I couldn’t help but smile. In England, before our generation, and even some years before that, etiquette and respect were not quixotic. Children were only allowed to speak when spoken to, the eldest daughter made dinner, the sons would help their father in the fields with the livestock, and you would go to school and get good grades just to come home and do household chores or go to an actual job. Children worked hard for everything and did not backtalk or even mutter a word under their breath. It was “Yes Mother, I’m sorry Mother.” None of the nonsense we have now where little fourteen year old girls go on Maury cursing out their parents about how much they suck and the idiots have no backbone and just cry about it and get someone else (like that big scary black drill sergeant guy!) to straighten their child out. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m no angel myself, I’ve fought with my parents plenty of times and I can be just as disrespectful as anyone, but there comes a time in your life where it just gets old. Which gets me to my point……
The change I want to see in the world is an increase in maturity. I feel like people just don’t know how to man (or woman) up to life and realize that it’s time to stop being so damn immature and care about something other than yourself for once. I understand that kids will be kids but once you get into high school, the bullshit needs to end. I can name at least 5 girls/guys off the top of my head that deserve to be sent away to a finishing school in England until further notice. Yes, high school is about learning, not only in academics but in life situations, but that does not mean that have to can act like assholes all the time.
This subject definitely came up when I evaluated myself last week. I am trying to change this in myself and I want to help others to change it as well. Let me clarify, I DO NOT want to resemble how my mother lived as a teenager, but I do think we as young adults take many things for granted and we need to realize how well we all have it. We get instantly gratified in life and there are very few kids who actually are grateful for their lives. And the determining factor is the maturity level of those choice people. So do me a favor, sometime this week, help your parents out with a chore, keep a secret to yourself, or hold back from a petty argument. Our generation needs a better name for itself.
*For further examples, switch over to VH1 to see “Tool Academy”, where men who act like ‘tools’ are taken to straighten out their relationships with their girlfriends.
Dev-
“If more kids were raised in a positive environment, there would be an influx in moral fiber, compassion, love, generosity, and optimism.”
First of all, I love this sentence. I think it truly sums up your amazing blog in a beautiful way. And I agree with your blog whole-heartedly. Your parents are mainly the people that mold you. You follow their beliefs before you can make your own, and you tend to think that everything they say is what is best. But some of the time, what they say or do isn’t best for the child. The child is brought up in a hostile environment, causing them to have problems later in life. If parental love could be shared, our country would be one step closer to a more positive place.
Hilly: Reading your quote and comment afterwords reminded me of why i loved going to church. The idea of organized religion scares me somewhat and i just dont like the rules that go along with it, but i loved the sermons. The speeches the pastor would write every week were amazing. I could listen to the man talk for hours. Everything just came together when he explained it. The fact that it came together because of his religion is probably the only reason why i dont completely despise the church. Thanks for bringing me back, maybe i'll go on Sunday.... naaaaaaaaaaaahh probably not, but i love you anyway! Great blog babygirl.
Sarah Craneee: I hate Paris Hilton, ew. And your math hurts my brain, but you blog also reminded me of something. I hate to be redundant because i know it was mentioned in a past blog, but pay it forward was such a cute movie and im about to cry just thinking of the little boy getting stabbed ): haley joelllll! Have you seen pictures of him lately? Used to be so cute.... what happened?
http://www.aolcdn.com/aolr/haley-joel-osment-400a0409.jpg
goofy lookin'! ahah
“You know it’s all the same, another time and place
Repeating history and you’re getting sick of it.”
One change I wish to see in the world is a bit cliché. I want to decrease poverty around the world. (I guess the real cliché version would be “I want to stop world hunger.” I like mine better.) However, cliché or not, it is still a problem that all nations still face today. It really makes me wonder how we can possibly still be dealing with the issue of poverty when we have come so far. We have advanced technology that is growing more and more everyday. We have discovered so many things about our world through science and medicine, yet can we not put an end to poverty?
I guess every society is different, but in the United States I know that the rich get richer and the poor stay relatively the same or go up. The United States has accomplished much, and has done a fantastic job to keep poverty from going down to the level of some third-world countries. Some people think that how our poor people live here in the U.S. is bad, but that could not be farther from the truth. I’m sure all of you who have Cervi have heard him say that we have the richest poor people. It’s true. To put it in perspective, let’s take a pretend trip to Thailand. “Everyone aboard Asia Airlines! Please buckle your seatbelts and prepare for lift off! Destination: Thailand.” Now this beautiful country is infamous for prostitutes and hookers. However, it is often overlooked that they are the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet. They will offer what they have to you, and make you feel right at home. Unfortunately, another characteristic that is often hidden is the poverty. Much of Thailand still lives in extreme poverty. The worst part is that this kind of poverty is the kind that you cannot get out of. Once you are dirt poor, you tend to stay dirt poor. My father is the exception. He comes from a large family, born into poverty. One father, a mother, two step-mothers, and more than ten siblings. The occupation of his father was, I guess you’d call it a farmer. The family worked to pick and sell the ripest coconuts and pineapples, and some vegetables. That is it. Their house was made very thin, barely putting up a fight against strong winds. The carpeting was-just kidding, there was no floor. It was dirt. His “house” was one room, and there were forced to eat rice that was made for the chickens (all the broken, tiny pieces). They had a pond to bath in, get water from, and wash clothes in. From what I gather, it wasn’t to clean. My father, he was supposed to become a farmer. That was the only choice. However, because of his incredible academic skill, he gained a student visa to come to the U.S.A. This is where he made it. The United States. His hard work pays off eventually, and he becomes classified as middle class. Then, in later years, he can classify himself as upper middle class! Imagine that! He went from literally dirt poor to luxury living. Imagine if we could let everyone in the world feel this type of happiness! He’s the one in a million who made it! He tells me sometimes that he wishes his father could see him, and how much he has done. I am so proud of what he has accomplished, and if I would change the world in some way, I would help the other 999,999,999 people get on the tracks to prosperity, and change the outcome of the rest of their lives.
I would give each a large sum of money, food, and books. I would pay for all the education, or institute free education. I would help all in poverty to gather the right mind set to rise in society, and educate them in trades that will help them earn their own money. I would do anything else I could do to help those get on their feet, and enjoying everything life can offer.
This isn’t necessarily something I want to change in myself. My father’s story of perseverance and hope inspired me to write about poverty. It made me realize just how lucky I am, and how I should be happy with all I am blessed with.
“Because these things will change, can you feel it now?
These walls that they put up to hold us back will fall down
It’s a revolution; the time will come for us to finally win
We’ll sing hallelujah! We’ll sing hallelujah!”
- Change, Taylor Swift
This question is often a mind-boggler for me. I’m not really sure why, it seems straightforward and the multitude of possible answers should make this so much easier. However, it never is and unfortunately never will be. I think the issue is a self-inflicted one based upon my own emotions. That is, I fear change and am not one to welcome it openly. If I could, I would probably create my own little bubble and live in a world without change. Consistency is comforting to me and routine is my shelter from the chaos in the world. However, I do realize the benefits of change and often force my self to go through these life-altering changes and pray that one day I will see the benefit of on day. And, of course, change brings about excitement and I could do with a little excitement once in a while. Now, on to the question…
If I could change one thing I would like to make the world less ignorant. We all know the old saying “ignorance is bliss” but I have to disagree. Was it blissful for the 6 million plus Jewish people killed because no one wanted to get involved at first? Is it blissful that millions of US soldiers and innocent Iraqis alike are being killed everyday because partly because to religious groups can’t get along because their ignorant in understanding each others’ beliefs and finding common ground? The answer is no. It really pains me to see the ignorance in the world and just how little we try to prevent it.
Mr. Cervi is always telling us about how many Americans don’t even know what December 7th, 1941 was or why it is even important. Truly that is said and needs to be corrected. But it is not only the lack of knowledge about Pearl Harbor Day or some other important date or document, it is the general lack of care, sympathy, which empowers and ultimately allows ignorance to flourish.
So, now the question is why? Well, this is rather simple: to prevent as much tragedy from happening as possible. Just today, a friend told me that the leading cause of war was none other than God. I almost fell backwards at the irony. God, this amazing, forgiving, kind entity is the leading cause of death, violence, and mass murder? That just doesn’t seem possible, but it is, all because of ignorance and lack of care when it comes to learning about others. If people just took one minute a day to talk to each other and learn about them so much catastrophe could be avoided. On a larger scale, if people talked to others about religion before they just started tossing bombs around with frivolity, then the world be such a better place.
But complaining can only get you so far, action, immediate action, is required if we ever hope to lower the chaos and violence in the world. The best place to begin this change would be within myself. I can’t force others to adopt my beliefs nor should I but I can try to lead by example and hope they follow along. I would try to be much more open to others opinions and ideas. If I didn’t understand something I would ask them about it, learn about their viewpoints instead of just shrugging it off and saying “It doesn’t matter” Hopefully my actions and influence everyone indirectly. If others see me maybe they will adopt a similar ideology and so on and so forth until we really get to know each other a little better. This plan however relies highly on the assumption that people will follow, so there probably should be a plan B.
The implementing of group discussions that are just that, without any stipulations or quid-pro-quos, could definitely help. I have learned so much about everyone in AP Lang through our discussions and OP's, more than I could ever imagine. But it should just be in AP Lang or for the sole purpose of honing in our listening and questioning skills. It should really be about learning about each other in order to get a better grasp on the diversity and unity in the world.
I would most certainly like to apply this practice to my life. As much as I hate change, this is one of the few that I feel I need to go through in order to become a better person. I recently had an epiphany of just how little I think about others daily and how I tend to try to replace their ideals and beliefs with my own, which is totally unfair, cruel, wrong, and egotistical. I want to be able to learn others and not fear pushing them away because of ignorance and self-centeredness. If I can apply this little by little, I know that I will be a better person because of it and it will help me to succeed in whatever field I choose to endeavor.
One day I hope that everyone can be ignorance-free. With that I leave you with three quotes that sum up my feelings:
True friendship can afford true knowledge. It does not depend on darkness and ignorance.
Henry David Thoreau
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
MLK Jr.
If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
MATTHEW 15:14
General: I think I understand the fear of change. But I don't think it's really as dramatic as most people say. We're good at adapting. Look at how flawlessly the internet, iPod, and cell phones have worked their way into daily life. Change is usually subtle, slow, and therefore unregarded.
Molly:
Boys lost all chivalry, forgetting how to care for a girl.
Amen. I agree with you comepletely, though there are those exceptions to the rule. However, I do wish they were the majority instead of the minority.
Miss Crane:
A nagging little voice in my head says no, and we all have the kind of voice I’m talking about. It’s always in the back of your mind, whispering that you’re destined to fail, you’re weak, the speech you wrote sucks and every joke you make is lame and will induce only pity laughs at best (oh, god, I hate this voice, and for some strange reason, mine sounds like how I imagine Umbridge from HP would sound combined with the guidance councilor at Mullica…).
OMG...I have that voice too! Especially the whole, my jokes are lame part. However, I think my jokes really are lame hahaha. Darn those pity laughs!!! Oh, and Prof. Unbridge is a jerkk. She totally drove me nuts. I wanted to grab her by the hair, and spin around really really fast, holding her by her hair until it all comes off. Or, until my grip slips. (But we all know its a weave, so it'll probably be the former.=])
I apologize in advance for the things that will be said in this blog.
After sitting down to read this question twenty minutes ago, I literally sat and stared at the floor lost in thought about all the things that need to be changed in this world. Eventually, the idea that many things need to be changed settled into my brain. The environment, diseases, the increasing prevalence of crime; all these problems that are subject to change stem from one main source. People. Just sit and ponder that for a moment. People are the cause of all problems in life. For all of you who are sitting there saying, "of course people are the cause of all problems in life. Who else is going to cause problems, the lions?" Yes that's exactly who would cause the problems. Without people animals would be the source of anything wrong in the world, unless plants caused catastrophic events like the horrible movie The Happening states could happen. But I digress. The fact of the matter is that the world will never change unless humans can be changed, or are completely eradicated.
However, there is a specific change that humans can undergo in order to bring about change in the world. Humans, as a whole need to begin to think. Not analytically, but critically. Intelligent people nowadays think about abstract ideas that further human intellect and understanding of things, while the lesser minded people, who for the sake of the argument will be called the "lessers" (thank you Nick Seney), apparently don't think at all. The intellectuals sit and discover thousands of new ideas and solutions to problems, that don't really do anything for anyone. Yeah, you found a treatment for HIV/AIDS, too bad no one can afford it. Congratulations, you discovered there's water on Mars, too bad we still can't live there. Way to go Congress, you thought up an economic stimulus package, too bad it won't genuinely help right the economy for another two years. All these intellectuals' thoughts concern major breakthroughs for the future, but what about thinking about the now. Go ahead I dare you to say " those discoveries are all we can do now!" No they aren't. Want to treat AIDS/HIV now? How about thinking of a way to get Bill Gates, Donald Trump, and Oprah to stop living like gods and donate everything they don't need to fixing the problems of the world. It's possible too, just the intellectuals don't see the importance in arguing that from the excessive time and money. How about someone gives a symposium to them about the differences between living comfortably and hording money for stupid things they don't need or will never use. How about Mr. Intellectual, you go and you build a tree-dome on Mars so we can live there. (Yes a tree-dome is what Sandy lives in on Spongebob, but it is quite possible to replicate on Mars.) Or what about this Ms. Intellectual, instead of giving people the money of the stimulus package, which they have to spend for the effects to even be seen, just pour it into the economy. Once again I dare someone to whine "they can't do that, then the government would have too much control." First off they are the government; they can do whatever they want because guess what, they are in control and clearly what the people want hasn't led us to a good position.
Which leads us to the lessers. I would just like to say that about a good eighty percent of the world are lessers. Lessers don't think at all, because thinking is clearly above them. In the mind of the a lesser, there is one decision: act or don't act. Not in the intelligent Joker sense of act or don't act either. In the dumb, a-car-is-coming-towards-me-and-I-don't-know-whether-I-should-move or-not way. These individuals need to just start thinking. Personally, that would be all the change I need to see for me to be content with the way the world turned out. For instance, people that smoke crack. I don't know if there a soul alive who doesn't know that crack is bad for the mind, but the lessers see it as: smoke it or don't. Much different from the intellectual who would think, "If I smoke it maybe a year from now I'll be doing worse drugs or be dead." This is just one example. Lessers need to exercise their ability to weigh out decisions instead of always in a two-choice outlook. If lessers could do that the world would change dramatically! Pollution would be decreased considering they would see that they are degrading the planet by dropping trash and wasting resources. Crime would decrease because people would weigh out the consequences of going to jail a lot more effectively than their current system does now. The change to the human thought process of both classifications of people is the change that I really would love to see.
The method of implementing this change would have to be to force people to listen. Consider the Tyler Durden approach. Threaten someone's happiness and they will comply with how you want them to act. Before this begins to sound violent or scary in any way think about it in terms of the current president. Mr. Obama has the ability to go out on his balcony with the media swarming all over him, and have a chat with the American people. Now one day Obama opens his windows and says to the press "Look America. I'm not going to sugar coat it. If you, the American people, don't begin to think, and I mean give some serious thought to the issue, about your actions, your decisions, and how to better our world today, we are going to all die." First off the entire country would go into turmoil and probably impeach him because apparently you can't say things like that when your the president. It's equivalent to yelling fire in a movie theater, only this time there really is a fire. But I will bet you that people would begin thinking. If they didn't believe him however, the entire country would be subject to death just like he said. The Great Depression II will hit, have the population will starve, the rich people will take a space ship to Mars and find more water but no air, war will break out, someone will shoot a nuke, then we will all die in an apocalyptic nuclear war. But then no one is left to say, "I told you so," so it wouldn't really matter.
Or we could always just coast it out and let the intellectuals be the thinkers of the future and the lessers be the thinkers of nothing, and wait till all I predicted eventually happens. How pleasant.
-Dear Molly
"Boys lost all chivalry, forgetting how to care for a girl. Every weekend there are the parties where teenagers lose control, do stupid things, and slowly forget who they are. Girls have lost respect in themselves. Boys seem to think it is ‘un-cool’ to be smart. There are those kids who have so much potential, but they don’t care. It is the morals that teenagers are lacking."
You know at first I read your blog and said, "Hey I know how to treat girls and I like to be smart!" Then I remembered clearly I'm an aberration from the normal boy. Your absolutely right though, and it sucks. I sat and thought about why the world is like that nowadays and it then it hit me. People have given up. Boys don't treat girls the right way anymore because they are tired of all the complicated garbage that's associated with it. Girls lost respect for themselves due to the fact that boys haven given up, so they gave up and just gave in. We teenagers party and do stupid things because hey who cares if I look stupid now I'm having fun. Boys don't want to be smart anymore, because smart kids are considered losers and nerds who go home, just do homework all the time, and don't have friends. I don't know about you but to me I think giving up sounds like the easier route doesn't it. People like easy. I must say it's quite sad.
-Mols
You know why else teenagers lost morality. It's because no one beats their children anymore. Look at me, I'm threatened with a taser and I respect my elders. Janiru, who is a strong advocate of beating their children, respects everyone, which I don't agree with but to each his own. Just saying, when there were no child abuse laws teenagers listened.
JORDAN COLBERT: First of all, don't diss The Happening. It happened to be an amazing movie, and Mark Wahlberg looked so good in it. I saw that movie with you, correct? Well, if you remember, I was like freaking out because it was so awesome.... and I like looking at Mark Wahlberg. So calm down. Second of all, maybe these intellectual people you speak of, those who think about abstract ideas rather than how to solve the problems of today, aren't out to save the world. I'd venture to say that these types of people are a lot more, hmm... how should I put this... "in tune" with the utter futility of our existence and don't want to help perpetuate our disgusting and dispicible species. When the world ends, we'll disintigrate and the only implication our deaths will have is the putrid smell of our burning flesh and maybe some nuclear dust landing on the moon. But that's it.
I'd also go as far as to say that people who concern themselves with such abstract ideas feel a disconnect from the petty problems of human life, and try to distance themselves (through mind if not through body) from them by contemplating life's grander questions. Most of these "intellectual types" probably have an egotistical flair, and are interested/ attracted to the more theatrical aspects of life. What is a more glorifying concept? How to get America out of its current financial crisis, or the purpose of our existence? Now, the answer to this is entirely subjective, but I'd bet that all these intellectuals would much rather wrap their brain around the latter.
>:(
I'm going to confront you on this next period.
Oh!
The quote "Fish and guests stink after three days" was NOT an original Ben Franklin quote (even though he gets all the credit). It was originally coined in 1576 by a man named John Robert Lyly.
D:<
"...ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961.
I read that quote and locked it away in my heart. I was young back then and wanted the world for myself, without a thought of giving back. I was blinded by the wish, believing that the world was centered on me, that I was the main actress of the play. I was such a selfish little child back then.
Of course, in due time, I learned that that was not the case. I learned the reason behind my mother’s sleepless eyes. I learned the reason behind my father’s constant pressure behind my grades. I was astonished and brought out of my delusional perception of the world. I started working harder and forced myself to do well in school. It was hard to even begin on the path of that of an accomplished student. I was never really an advanced student; I was instead in general classes and played all day. I had to take many stumbles and falls to be where I am.
Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
I had just begun to succeed in school when I heard this quote again. At the time, I thought I might go into the field of medicine and become a doctor, a high paying job to support my family and allow my parents to travel the world like they’ve always wanted. I remember standing there, wondering what it meant. I was only in the 7th grade with no thought of my country really set in my mind. Not of what the country meant, what it has given me, what it was founded upon. So, that day, I realized something vital. I realized just how much the country has done for me, has given me. Along with that, I came to terms with myself. I did not really want to become a doctor; I was only interested in the idea of helping people. Instead of becoming a doctor, I have decided to take challenges until my dream career comes to me. No matter what happens, I will succeed in what I shoot for. There will be no failure because I will never give up. You will never lose until you have given up, until you cease to learn from your mistakes.
Now, what does this have to do with “change”? The change I want to see in the world, more specifically America, is that more people begin to observe what they have and work instead of expecting their government to do everything (and anything in some cases) for them. It’s quite simple: Americans need to see America for what it is.
Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
This is the land of opportunity, where by getting an education, you could change your circumstances. There is social mobility; just by being impoverished doesn’t mean you will stay impoverished. People have the ability to adapt, they have the ability to work hard and succeed, but too many times, they get lazy and fall away into a hole they dug themselves instead of the castle they had envisioned. This needs to change. Why? Because everyone can be smart, it’s whether or not they’re willing to learn and engage themselves in the tax-supported education provided here. When I was younger, I can’t count how many times I was told that I wasn’t smart, that I should just play all day because I would never be in advanced classes. Now look at me! Those people who told that to me, they don’t realize that with motivation and hard work, I have clawed my way upwards from my own hole. I guess it is because I was able to crawl out of the hole that I see this change as vital. When people tell me that they aren’t smart, that they’ll never be in AP or Honors class, I want to slap them in the face and say, “Yes, you can!”
Now, you must be wondering how I will go about affecting this change. My response is that one person can always make a difference. Whether it be war or a game of basketball, one person CAN make a difference. The only thing is that when you’re only one in a crowd of many who wants to advocate their change, the only way is to scream it out loud. I want to start by making people realize that they have much more than their brethren back in China or Sri Laka. They have so many opportunities. They just have to grab on to it and run with it. Hopefully, I will be able to scream loud enough one day that Americans will change their way of thinking and work harder to better their circumstances.
Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
Hayley,
" But with change, we can’t just have the good without the bad. That’s life."
Very true, and I guess to enjoy the good you need to endure the bad.
Your whole blog was so perfect because people do need to stop and take the time to be grateful for what they have. Everyone in America is all about the taking, when really they need to step back and reflect on everything they have in life because others are not as fortunate.
oh and nice French class mention le Haiti!! loveyouu :D
Hayley-
"I feel that no one takes the time to look around and appreciate what they have. In our current economic state, people should be thankful that they’re even able to put food on the table. It makes me sick to see people constantly yearning for more and neglecting all the wonderful things they already have. We’re all brats, and it just continues to become worse from each generation to the next. I’m not going to lie and say I’m not materialistic at all, but I feel that I have learned to not expect so much from others. If more people had this outlook on life, the world would be a more peaceful and just genuinely kind place."
I loved your whole blog because you spoke so much truth. I was talking about this yesterday. Many people lack appreciation for anything. There are many people who can't afford food like you said. We should feel lucky that we do have shelter, food, and all of the materialistic things and electronics that I know most of us do have.
Why doesn’t anyone care anymore? I feel like as each generation grows older and a new generation begins people are starting to care less and less. It is like humanity as a whole has given up on the world before the world has given up on humanity. Yes, things are pretty much a mess in this world. Yet, we still have a world where we can live and breathe in. If the world had given up on humanity we wouldn’t be here because Mother Nature knows when to shut the sun off, so obviously she has a little faith in us because the sun keeps rising and setting. Sure our economy is failing, which according to Mr. Cervi was totally predictable if they had only looked at the handy dandy business characteristic cycle worksheet, but like that worksheet also said things will get better. Sometimes things have to get worse better for they get better. A way that things can get better are if more people care, and put more effort into the world. I think people let everyone else do things for them instead of starting things up themselves. It is a true lack of leadership and a lack of passion anymore. When asked about what we feel passionate about quite a few people in our class alone said, I don’t know what I’m passionate about. It wasn’t everyone, and it’s not a terrible thing to not know off the top of your head something your passionate about but there was a day long ago that everyone felt passion for something. I feel as if as people we get lost in the woes of life and skip the engaging aspects of life that include passion, and being generally interested. Every day I have EPA in a mixed study hall. Every person in that study hall is loud, thus I sometimes hear some of the conversations. They all say nothing in just so many words, and sometimes that’s fine but there is never once an interesting topic nor do they ever seem to care. The teacher in there must say at least ten times each day could you please settle down, but they do nothing. It is not only a lack of respect but I feel as if they don’t care what he’s saying. He could be saying fire, and I still doubt that they would listen. I feel like earlier generations would be so disappointed to see our generation and the ones that follow. Each one gets more removed from society because they don’t have the knowledge and don’t care to get the knowledge. It is like the easy way out not to care, not to get involved. People think it’s only going to get worse so why bother now. I really wish that it wasn’t the case but I see it all the time. I want people to get excited to do new things, to meet new people. I wish people could find something anything and just become even semi passionate about it, because then maybe I wouldn’t feel so alone in the fact that I get passionate and love to do certain things. I don’t feel alone in this class but outside of our AP bubble it is very different. I don’t know how to make people care, to make them get involved. I’m pretty sure that something needs to catch their eye, or stick out to them. People can’t spend their whole life living without passion in life, because then what kind of life is that at all?
OH! I hate change, it is one of my least favorite things. It bothers me for a lot of reasons.
Molly-
I want to go back in time. I want to live life during the days where everyone had their principles and values in life, and they stuck to them. Teenagers today may have values, but they don’t necessarily stick to them.
I wish I could go back then too. I wish I could live a different life with those people. Those people that believed , those people that thought love meant something, and those people that somehow found inner strength that I don’t really believe exists as much today. I have always thought I was born in the wrong era, because I have never really thought I fit in the culture of today. I’ve honestly always wanted to go live in like the early days of woman’s rights and get to be involved with that. To be honest with you I’d almost rather be anywhere but here some days, not all the time though. Overall I loved your blog, it is depressing that chivalry is dead. You always write such amazing blogs.
It was a different mindset, something that I could never fathom, never understand, never approach, and never be faced with. Yet, there it was, merely ten feet away; a mind filled with memories that sixty-four years later still continues to haunt its victim. They were all right there, memories that I could never live with, tucked inside a man who to this day refers to Nazis as “bastards” and wakes up on weekends shouting out to deceased fellow soldiers. Next, there is the story of a woman still young, perhaps in her mid twenties, but found herself in love with someone who gave her their whole heart to keep forever and always. It was the kind of relationship that grew from a strong friendship, and was expected to be life-long. Yet, it wasn’t long before she found herself in a hospital crying hysterically, after being told that her lover did not survive a car crash they were both in the night before. Then, there is the story of the boy who was physically and mentally abused from birth to when he was fifteen years old, when he was finally able to escape from the house. Psychologically, he grew up being afraid of all humans due to what is known as stimulus generalization as a result of his childhood experiences.
They are all traumatic experiences that have grown to the point of changing a person from who they originally were. Additionally, it is from these experiences which people have been given a different understanding of the world we live in, an understanding that will forever distort their perspective of the world. They don’t view things in the way some of the rest of us do; they can’t. As a matter of fact, it becomes impossible for them to live just one day without reflecting upon their personal traumatic moments. Hence, it becomes impossible for one to inspire them to simply live the rest of their life to the fullest. Yet, it is my goal to set out and do so, regardless of the impossibility. These people have been robbed of the ability to “live life to the fullest”. Their life has already been occupied by post dramatic stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and even difficulty breathing. Breathing, the one thing that connects us to the rest of the world to let us know we are still living. Additionally, most are no longer able to think clearly, cannot control their emotions, often feel the need to defend themselves, and are reminded about the trauma through some of the most subtle indicators. Already, their life has been taken away and they haven’t even died yet.
The truth is that everyone needs to stop and find where they are sometimes. These people who are currently trying to deal with traumatic events are not alone. It is without a doubt that their ability to find themselves is much more difficult than it is for the rest of us. Yet, one thing that I personally advise them never to do is give up trying to find themselves, or give up trying to find reasons to continue living a life. Regardless of the unforgivable images that have been set before them, the seconds keep counting, the minutes continue, and the hours run by. A life will always move on as long as its beholder is willing to change.
I believe a life is one of the best things one can be given, and fulfilling it makes it all the worthwhile. Hence, I cannot feel anything but remorse for those individuals whose perspectives have been so scattered that they don’t know how to live anymore. I want to convince people that life still moves on after traumatic experiences, and that by living life to the fullest, these traumas can be ignored, if not erased. I want to change the idea that life cannot go on after such experiences. If I have to spend hours of my time trying to find true accounts of people who have overcome their traumas, so be it. Psychologists continue to say that these memories never leave their victim, but perhaps it is because of this view that they never leave.
There are fields of sunflowers to be seen in France, there are weddings to be attended for their nieces and nephews, there are reflections of the moon to be seen upon oceans, there are roads to be traveled out to the Great Plains, there are technologies to be awaited for the future, there are submarines to be taken down to the twilight zone, there are children to be seen with smiling faces as they eat ice cream at an outdoor market. There is so much out there that could be awaiting them if only they chose to simply live their life. A wasted life (a life filled with misery and depression) is just as good as no life at all. True, I don’t know what it’s like to watch someone die in a fire, I don’t know what it’s like to be given guns and told to shoot at the enemies, I don’t know what it is like to lose the love of your life, and I don’t know what it is like to be sexually assaulted. Nonetheless, there is no doubt in my mind that these experiences can be countered. Knowing this, the change I wish to bring about is not necessarily something I wish to ‘change’ in myself, but more or less something that I want for myself and to live by, regardless of whether or not I experience something traumatic in my life.
More than anything, I want people to realize that what has been set right before us is one of the best things we could be given. Its value is immeasurable. You can always choose to let depression illuminate your happiness, let suicide take a bullet to your head, or let phobias set fear into your perspective. There is another mindset you can reach however. It is a matter of engaging in one of the most difficult tasks a human could be asked to partake, yet it is doable. It is change. I want to show those who are traumatized what other things they could be doing with their lives. I want to present them with narratives of people who decided to make the change, and to this day know it has benefitted them in various ways. I want to show them statistics of suicide rates, depression rates, the number of people every second who experience traumas worldwide, how people have decided to cope with their trauma, how the effects of trauma can vary from one person to another depending upon their motivation to escape it. Although I have no personal traumas to share, I will include plenty of other accounts. Also, to allow them to understand why they are experiencing such effects, I will include physiological/ psychological/ medical reasons why they occur; an anatomy of the human mind.
Already, I can picture the words bouncing off the colorful walls of the room and brushing past some of the silver stars hanging above. They are all words part of questions that I do not know yet, but I will as soon as I stand behind a wooden podium after sharing my passion to make a change. Am I afraid? Absolutely. To many of these questions, I may not have an answer, and I will simply try to respond in the best way possible. I don’t know yet if I will answer any of them correctly, or at least in the way I intend to, but I cannot be afraid of these words. No matter how abundant or confusing they may become, I must know that they can be answered. I must remain strong in my hope to transform an impossibility into a plausible and attainable change.
In response to Toni M:
Alright, so I suppose I will begin by mentioning a few of the things you said that got my attention. First, “Funny actually because my path in the world is to find stability, yet change excites me.” This I found to be a very interesting paradox because it makes a lot of sense in my opinion, even though it seems to be contradictory at first. Second, “Now that is extremely broad, but I wish I could change the mindset most teenagers have and even adults.” When you said this, the first thing that came to mind was changing the way younger people in our society view elders. In this society, the older generations are greatly disrespected, and seen as being unimportant. To me, they are the people you can learn the most from. Third, “I wish people had the courage to stand a lone, be independent, and allow themselves to be vulnerable.” As for the first two things you said, I wish that for myself more than anything, but I was a little confused by what you meant in the third thing listed. Vulnerability is usually seen as a sign of weakness, but then again, I suppose it could be seen in a different way and perhaps seen as something in which benefits can be derived from. Fourth, “Changing the mindset of anyone is extremely hard because your mindset that you have is usually due to your childhood and experiences.” This is something we talked about heavily in psychology class because the environment you are given at a young age does heavily influence who you are in many cases. Fifth, “Overall, I wish I could help or aid someone in becoming so much more than they ever thought they could be.” This was a very well written statement that I found to be truly inspiration. I have no doubt in my mind that you could bring about this change, and I suppose you are doing the same thing in your job. As for right now, you may be working at a restaurant, but you could easily grow up to be the head executive of a fashion magazine, or of an alternative energy source company, or of the world’s top hospitals or chain of hotels. I know for a fact that you yourself could become someone so much more than you ever thought you might be.
To Matty W!!
As always, you always seek to improve yourself. ^_^ You're awesome! Ahem, anyways, I really liked what you said. In a way, it reminds me of "The perils of indifference" but with your own little flavor added to it. By using a rhetorical question about the Holocaust only made it clearer. I think that, if only one person could change the world, I'd hope it'd be you. Instead of all this war and destruction, there would be peace and understanding. That, I believe, is worth everything. Again, nicely done.
Also, I have my suspicions so I'm going to take a guess. The person who told you that God was the reason for war and stuff, was that Brendan? Just guessing.
Gah, Bunje! I feel like changing my speech topic again. Darn it! Reading "The perils of Indifference" was just... gah!!! To "Death By War"!!!
Meg song,
Umbridge TOTALLY wears a weave. And the first time I read the fifth HP book, I couldn't really decide who was more evil, Voldemort or Umbridge (eventually I had to go with Voldemort, on account of the whole widespread death and distruction thin. It was a close call, though.)
Jordan, I'm going to have to go against reese here and side with you, The Happening was a HORRIBLE STUPID movie. It was ridiculous.
To Ashley S!!!
You tell it like it is, honey!!! THAT WAS AN AMAZING BLOG!! I totally agree too! Life is awesome and there are many things to do!!! I love the details you put in and you voiced everything so beautifully and... gah! I can't even find the right words to describe it! Ashley, you are amazing and I love your wish. I think it's a great idea and I know that you'll have a great life full of fun times and happy memories! You go girl!!! *loves*
Vikkie,
I don't think anybody likes Paris Hilton. Especially not her Chihuahua.
When I think of change, I can only think of the negative things. Like growing up, losing friends, moving away, catch my drift? But I realize that the only change that I want to accept is what's most convenient or beneficial for myself. And that is exactly what I think needs to be changed in this world.
As humans, we've evolved over time and had to adapt to and change for many, many things in order to survive. But now, as our intellect has hit it's all-time high and we're so set on improving our daily lives, we're not considering what's the best change for us in the future, instead we're more interested in what's best for us right now.
Now-a-days, people are so self-centered. It's been said it's up to us to make sure the next generation of children can live peacefully, without worries of environmental damage or world wars. But even though we have such high expectations to live up to, we just don't seem to meet the standards.
I believe there are 4 types of people in this world: the viewers, the thinkers, the doers, and the selfish. Most people fall within the first two categories. But pretty much everyone falls within the last. The viewers are the bystanders in this world. They watch the world go by without knowing or caring about the damages or sufferings going on, or the disastrous effects they may be causing to the future. The thinkers are those who actually know what's going on. They may even say they want to do something about it. But what makes them worse than the viewers, is that they'll say they're going to do something, but they just don't.
Then there are the doers. The ones who make things happen. This is the change I'm saying that we need. We have to turn our characters into the doers. We need to change to have the mindset and motivation to DO THINGS. But not just any thing. We need to do things that will benefit us for the FUTURE. What's best for us now is rarely ever best for us later in life, and especially not for the next generations to come. The doers welcome change like they welcome a new hair-cut. (I think this is why I'm definitely not a doer—I don't even welcome hair cuts because it's too much change for me…which is why I haven't had one since the beginning of sophomore year) But the doers are open to new ideas, trying new things, and living up to their potential and beyond if it can possibly serve to be beneficial for others. Don't get this confused with the people who accept change and do things for their own good. They are not doers—they are the selfish.
How could I possibly change the mindsets of such a lazy species into becoming active in their thoughts, becoming "doers", and preparing for a better future? I don't think it's possible for me to do such a thing alone. The people in the world today are too stubborn and caught-up in their own lives, they would never think of giving up anything that they have for anything less, just to benefit the lives of people who may not have even been born yet. I think the human species as a whole is incapable, as of right now, to make any sudden change that would not directly benefit the individual. This is because the individual does not normally think of his or her actions in terms of the "whole". If this mindset doesn't change, there's no doubt in my mind at least that we're doomed. And since the change is globally, it has to be a universal effort, which I'm not capable as a single person of enforcing or motivating. The only way I can think of would be for something completely drastic to occur that will send us spiraling to a near-end of the world. This way, everyone will become aware that something has to be done. Exaggerated? Kind of. But it's the only situation I can think of.
Hilllll—
I just read your blog after I finished mine. But I'm not going to edit mine and steal your idea, but I agree so much and wish I took more time to think of this because I'm sure I could have.
"The best way to change others is to lead by example. Become the change you want to see in the world. Become the accepting, peace-keeping person you want so longingly to see in others. The first way to start change is with yourself."
I'm guessing I didn't want to think of this because I'm such a hypocrite. I know I'm not a "doer", yet I complain about how many people just sit by and watch. I should want to lead by example, but that would involve me having to change, too. And this is exactly the type of people I said I hate and who need to change. Ugh. This is such a frustrating topic.
Unlike Morgan, my views on change have traveled in the complete opposite direction. I used to be scared of change. I think it’s highly understandable though. It’s always scary to allow a change to take you out of your comfort zone and expose you to all the other obstacles of the world, but like many of peers have already said, it is an inevitable fate. And recently, I have been yearning for change more than anything because I’ve come to realize that change is good if it is for the better; if it can help you better yourself.
I was thinking about this blog question all day yesterday and today. And I asked myself the questions “what matters most to you,” “what is one thing you would change about yourself,” and “how could everyone around you be happier?” And my mind immediately drew to acceptance like Morgan :) I wish that there were ways to allow people in our society to accept others by their character and not by how they look or the way they speak or their race. Others will argue that these characteristics help define a person, which is true to an extent. But we all know that for the majority of the population, judgments arise off these impressions before actually getting to know a person’s true character. For instance, every time I go out with my parents, people talk down on them like their incompetent just because their English isn’t top-notch. I find it very rude and ignorant. And this shouldn’t be how it is. This is why there is hate among groups of individuals. This is why there is hate within an individual. If everyone could begin to love others just for who they are, people would have no trouble to love themselves for who they are as well.
I wish everyone would realize that their comments towards others affect how people feel about themselves. I understand that some people have that “carefree” attitude and don’t care about what people say about them, but for others it’s not as easy. When I was little, I was one of these carefree people. I didn’t realize that I was different than anyone else. But once I hit middle school, people began to mention my ethnicity and cracking jokes about it too. I felt like an outcast… so different from the people around me. And I remember wanting to be “normal” like everyone else. But who are we to define what normal is? Everyone is unique in his or her own way. And everyone has his or her own story. I just think it’s about time to take a minute and listen.
I can’t say that I am completely free of this form of hate. I know that I have a tendency to develop preconceived notions about a person before getting to know them. But these people usually prove my notions wrong. So I would love to change this about myself because I know I would be a lot happier. There would be less hate, less jealousy, less emotional baggage if I learned to accept others better and welcome them with open arms. And it’s something I want to start to try to do immediately. I want to be the girl to stand up for what she knows is right. So when I see someone getting made fun of, I’m going to say something. I will be silent no longer. And hopefully my actions will be contagious and others will begin to feel the way I do now.
Jen- “I believe there are 4 types of people in this world: the viewers, the thinkers, the doers, and the selfish.”
I loved how you phrased this. I’ve never thought of viewing people in these four categories, but when I read your definition for each one, I realized that there are indeed these four types of people in the world and you are so right. But, there is one thing I don’t quite agree on which is that the selfish are the ones that do things for their own good. I completely agree that you shouldn’t always think about yourself and you should care for those around you. But I do believe there are circumstances where you have to think about yourself. You cant always put others before yourself. And you have to be good and true to yourself before you can do good on to others.
Maegan-
Mark Wahlberg<3333333333 :)
Kelly-
"But I do believe there are circumstances where you have to think about yourself. You cant always put others before yourself. And you have to be good and true to yourself before you can do good on to others."
I personally completely agree. I tend to think of myself most of the time, and I think people certainly need to think of and fend for themselves in many circumstances as well. I should have clarified more.. by the selfish, I mean those whose actions are for the sole purpose of improving their lives, without any intention of helping others. These people look at the world, see the problems, but fix them only for their own benefit. Of course, it's certainly situational because in many instances it may be necessary to fend for oneself without caring for others. But I'm just saying overall, humans need to work on being more selfless.
Change is a complicated subject that many oppose. Change can be seen with an optimistic or a pessimistic view. Optimistic would be welcoming change. Getting a job and changing your ways in life. Learning to care for someone else and welcoming anything that’s different your way. But it can also perceived as pessimistic. You could lose someone forever and everything you want to do, would be up to forever. Or having a dream job and then getting demoted or even losing. So change can be good and it can be bad but at times like this it is absolutely necessary.
By “times like this” I mean this society or this day and age. People must change the way they think about others. I am desperate to see the day that people aren’t judged by they come from or what they look like but are judged by how they act and what they can bring to table. The abilities of many minorities go unnoticed these days because of their ancestry, or their origin.
Everyone in this world had their own interpretation of the famous saying “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” and everyone still does it. We saw in the Great Depression when jobs first started to disappear. The African Americans were let off more often then any white person.
At that time people were judged by skin color. Many say that we have grown since then. This is the age of technology. I agree with them we have grown since then. Everything around us has grown. The children that played in the street now search for a way to retire, there a computer in almost every home, televisions have become a necessity, etc. But people’s mindsets still haven’t changed. The willingness to change and accepted all the people around you is not present. It’s not that people couldn’t change due to a certain reason it is that they didn’t want to change. People don’t want to see others succeed in their home land. They don’t want to see the children of immigrants who work hard and their children work hard exceed them in life and everything it has to offer. People are stone headed and it’s more than an angel like Martin Luther King Jr. to change them. Sure on the outside everyone is accepted but on the inside hatred brews for one another.
Equality is necessary because it the one thing that will everyone a chance to full fill their dreams even if it is just becoming a teacher or if it is becoming a scientist.
The change that I want to see in myself isn’t related to this topic but just to put it out there I want to stop procrastinating everything I do. It’s an awful habit but man it is one the hardest ones to break. I want to stop procrastinating but I want to stop judging a book it’s cover.
Barack Obama’s words of change have significantly influenced the minds of Americans and given them hope for the future. A competent leader that can gain the trust of people through their speech is the first step to permitting any kind of change in the world today. People throughout the world not necessarily fear change, but the possible negative outcomes it could bring. People are afraid to take a risk and live with the possible consequences even if there are also positive results. So, many would say that the ultimate change for our world would be to restore confidence and eliminate the fear from people’s minds. However, I think this confidence could be abused and is really something that people are not ready to handle.
Possibly a more significant issue is the world’s tendency to live everyday like the last. We wake up in the morning and go through the same routine before school or work, at school we walk through the same halls and sit with the same faces before lunch. After school or work we go home and eat the same food, watch the same television shows, and are lazy the same ways etc… Our world is a never-ending pot of laziness and lack of ability to spice up your life. If we would have listened to the words of the Spice Girls years ago, our country and world would not see as many cases of depression, obesity, and other physical and mental forms of dishonor. Therefore, the change I would like to make in the world is first actually allowing change to creep into everyone’s daily lives, and then giving people an anxious outlook on each day they wake up in the morning.
This change would require people to do something different in their lives every day, whether it involves the route you take to work, or the lunch table you sit at in school. Allowing change to include itself in our daily schedules will make larger changes like World Peace and governmental decisions that much easier to cope with.
With this also comes the ability to respect the life you live and find some amount of joy in everyday that you are on earth.
After watching Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers with Cervi, I’ve realized that a life could end by chance; the fraction of an inch you stand away from the other solider will either give you a shot to the heart or a shot to the shoulder. Specifically in Saving Private Ryan, I saw how placing your foot on the wrong area of the beach could kill you in an instant. Basically, life can end anyway, anyhow, and anywhere, which is why we need to live it like there’s no tomorrow.
Although this is constantly preached by many, one step we could take to changing the way some take life for granted would be to listen to what Benjamin Zander said at the end of his speech. His main message although intertwined with classical music was, when you talk to someone, always make the last thing you say to them be something you could live with if they happened to pass the next day. Always leave a conversation with someone close to you as if those were the last words that you would ever exchange with them. We have all seen the movies and read the novels where the last words someone ever spoke to their father was “you ruined my life” or the last conversation with their older brother was a regretful argument. I get in fights with my sister a couple times a day, but I realized that I take for granted the fact that I CAN fight with her. Recently, I finished a novel in which a women lost her daughter and husband, and she talked about how she wished she could tell her daughter to clean her room again, clean up after them, and do all of the daily things that we have accustomed with annoyance and frustration.
No one can abide by these rules everyday, because we are simply human. But possibly, we can humanize ourselves more as Elie Weisel discusses in his speech and begin to once again adapt the qualities that humans are claimed to posses.
Dev:
Your change for our world is something that is very overlooked. A lot of teenagers take for granted the lives they have and mock other children who have not had a household as good as the other. But allowing every child to grow up with a clean slate and with the love of parents can significantly alter the types of people who come into and develop in our world. However, once it becomes to norm, once again it may be taken for granted. But these are the qualities of a human I guess.
Molls:
High school and teenager enrage me, but alas, I am one. So as hypocritical as I am right now, I agree with everything you said but feel that in certain cases, the only way we will learn from our mistakes is to actually make them. And I guess, in a way, better now then when we have our own kids to deal with.
Ha ha ha ha ha! Well thank you very much Alice, I'm glad you liked it, and I hope your right with the last sentence. :-)
Kelly:
" If everyone could begin to love others just for who they are, people would have no trouble to love themselves for who they are as well. "
This was very well put. As we discussed in our symposium on love, I felt that love was for finding oneself through the acceptance and respect of others around them. Also I like when you said, "But who are we to define what normal is?" I love when people overuse the word 'normal' because like love it is ultimatly undefinable. Certain words have a different connotation to them for every person on earth and defining them is ridiculous.
There’s an obvious fine line between extreme liberalism and stonewalled conservatism. That, I think, is where my viewpoints on change lie. It’s a fundamental wave of living, but it’s not pointless to dig in your feet in the sand once in a while.
And I’m going to answer this question by pretty much rephrasing what Gandhi said; “You want change? Well you better damn well embody it.”
I’m absolutely disgusted with all this talk of “change”, as if it was an enchanted phrase that would turn the world-upside down, and solve all dilemmas. Sure, change is good in the right prospective. But my god, live up to your damn word.
Don’t tell me you want people to be nicer and less apathetic, when you clearly aren’t yourself. Don’t preach saving the Earth while carelessly throw that soda bottle into the woods. And I’ll be quite honest; this probably applies to me as well. I’m not going to spare myself from the bullets; because that’s something I want to change about myself as well. Hypocrisy is the one thing that drives me off the wall.
And really, any one can blindly scream change. But do you really mean it? Do you honestly stand for what you believe in? Do you actually have a clue about what you “think”? I feel as is humans are rooted on the idea of change because it’s the flavor of the week, and really are not emotionally connected for the right reasons. How many Obama “supporters” actually have any clue on what he stands for? How many of us have had teachers who clearly lacked any insight into their subject matter? I’m definitely guilty of faking passion for something we really could care less for. I’m sure everyone else has as well.
“Change” is a very strong word… don’t toss it around like the word “love.”
So in essence (if I’ve skittered around the Q), I wish people would genuinely and authentically BELIEVE in what they want to see. Truly embody what you’re saying before you preach to the world. Be authentic.
I know talk is cheap, but does a bit of action really cost an arm and a leg?
Alice:
"Americans need to see America for what it is."
I completely agree with you. People in America have a one way mindset. How can i get everything i want without doing any or some work. That is a horrible way to think but too many people have this view. America has always been the land of opportunities. Americans sadly don't see it as that, and they are frustrated by the fact that people from other countries are taking the jobs away. Well may question is why shouldn’t' they? They more qualified and more driven towards achieving success. People need wake up and smell the coffee and go in the world and do something. They need to make a difference because no one is going to wait around on them hand feeding everything they may need.
Genghis Reese- You hit the nail on the head... My views in a nutshell. Car ride this weekend!
Song Song Asia- The sheer difference between the poor here and the poor in Sri Lanka (or Thailand) in your case is mind blowing. Good to see some genuine emotions.
People and there lives are filled with ‘extra.’ People have extra cars, extra money, extra women, and extra things. Then above this people have excess ego, excess pride, and excess arrogance. What would these people be if they were stripped of all of their ‘extra’ things? In the things that I consider be secular distractions from a person’s true potential, my wish at change for the world would have to be the setting right of a person’s priorities.
If I could have the people above to strip themselves of the money they wish to obtain, the goals they seek, the jobs they strive for, and the people they try to impress, (which inevitably includes all of us), I would ask them what kind of people they are. Would they be considered leaders? Would they be considered hopeful people? Would they be considered helpful people? Being a teenager and not yet being able to personally relate to jobs, money, and status on a crucial level, I am still able to see the affect it has on my friends and me on a high school level. Already having lives filled with work, college, scholarships, and relationships I often wonder why many times a teenager’s number one focus is on their weekend. Weekends, friends, dating…no matter the situation, there’s always something tripping us up along the way, the only thing that I would wish to change in a person’s life is their ability to keep their values and wisdom first, always, before moving ahead to their next obstacle to tackle. In accordance to this what I wish for is in a person’s lifetime and even day to day habits, that they would not lower their standards or replace what’s important to them to simply please the people around them. In a world that often and casually submits themselves to something in the hope to acceptance, money, a position, or a dream; I would ask that they wouldn’t obtain these things by putting their morals and principles behind them.
This being said I’m in the middle on my view of the power of change in a person’s life. I believe that when were younger and basically blank canvases, we have an open mind and heart towards the world, with nothing to loose. Growing up we’re covered with specific people, places, and relationships that we grow an attachment to, and eventually allow those things to become the things we recognize ourselves by. When we hit a certain point, whether its when were 10 and our mom dies, or were 16 and our boyfriend breaks up with us, we feel as if we lost something that was permanently ours. What we don’t realize is we’re simply back to our blank slate of not having that person, thing, etc in our life. And that’s something that I don’t understand. Right now as I’m sitting here I don’t have any major experiences, people, or children that my life revolves around. One day when I grow up and eventually have those objects, I’ll never be able to be without them, without also having an abject life. Although I might one day end up with the same slate that I have today, I’ll never be able to look at that point in my life the same. In these transitions is where I find the ability to love and hate change. Change can bring so much, and change can steal so much at the same time.
In my efforts to be a part of this change, it emphasizes the lack of priority in the people around me. Everyday trying harder and harder to keep my priorities honest, my morals in check, and my head on straight, I correspondingly notice the carelessness of others in their lacking of these basic ideas. The only way I could physically ever change this pattern is to set an example and most importantly not make it any harder for my friends and peers to be themselves at heart.
“Beneath the walls of the high school, the basements of friend’s houses, there are the
core beliefs of the teenagers; the pure, core, beliefs of the teenagers. Affecting this change would be difficult. I think a worldwide intervention would work best.”
Molly
- Very true! It’s funny because today in Mr. Cervi's class I was thinking the same exact thing. We were talking about the leader of the KKK, and how his daughter wants to become the new leader. I asked Mr. Cervi if someone who has become so brainwashed being raised this way could ever have a change of mind. After he said yes about her, and no about her father it made me think about how of when there's an obvious fault in a person, or in this case a group of people, millions are there to refute and replenish this persons beliefs. But what about when the same lack of virtues is found in everyday people? Where are the millions to help out these people we meet every day, accepted by society, and furthermore change their minds? We usually see a lack of morals in our friends, peers, or classmates in little ways such as the relationships they have or the things they do over the weekend, but even these little hints at a lack of morals deserve a change of outlook. Mr. Cervi got me thinking whether one person could help/change another person who reflected a worldwide epidemic of a lack of values in a person, OR whether this attempt would take a worldwide change of outlook/intervention.
Change is inevitable. As time passes, things evolve and reshape. They may have some distinguishable aspect of the form before, yet there is always a new, fresh ingredient added as time goes by. Change can be rapid or imperceptibly slow. At whatever rate, it occurs daily right under our noses. We can be counteractive to the negative change or let it sweep us up in its flow. We can be proactive in positive change and quicken its pace. We have the ability to cause change just as Mother Nature has.
The change I’d like to see happen in the world would involve compliance from every person. For it to work, every person will need to add a little bit more to their lives and think before every action the make. They will need to take a moment more to step back and look at every situation they face in a different light. What I would like to see is a little more patience in the world.
Every day we run through life with goals in mind. Sometimes, these goals get in the way of our ability to show compassion and kindness to those that are along the path with us. We yell when we don’t get our way. We push when someone is in our way. We take drastic measures if someone threatens to get in our way. Our way is sometimes detrimental to the way of the world. We see others push and shove and never wait their turn in line, so we feel like that is the only way to live. No one steps back and see’s the world’s downfall for what it is: a spiral of morals due to lack of patience. The world accepts this fast-paced “hold no prisoners” way of life and continues to add to the problem. For fear of falling behind and getting trampled in the dust, people of the world keep trucking forward running everyone over that stands before them. If we took a little more time out to be courteous and think of others along the way, we would see how we have basically turned into race horses with blinders when it comes to competition. This has become a problem in the world because people do things too fast and end up doing a mediocre job or failing completely. Instead of taking our time and doing things the right way, we hurry along to get done before the next guy.
I would go about making this change in the world by being the change I want to see. I most definitely do not have the virtue of patience a lot of the time. I often find myself wanting to scream at the person in front of me in the halls that is walking molasses-style even though I know I have enough time to get to class. Why do we do it then? It’s because we are so fast paced that we can’t step back and realize we are being stupid. It becomes a part of our every day life, and we can’t shake it even when rushing is not needed. I see students and teachers alike get mad and frustrated at each other because one doesn’t understand the other. Instead of taking the time to get the issue settled correctly, the teacher will say in a huffed tone, “No, we aren’t going over this anymore. We don’t have anymore time to learn it.” (true story).
I don’t see this change happening over night, and I don’t see everyone agreeing to take their time more. My hope is that some people will take the initiative to be more in tune with their patience and inspire others to do the same.
Hmm...Well, change definately doesn't have a good connotation anymore, courtesy of "Osama de Baracka" (haha, I am so hilarious XD). Still, the dude has a point. The country isn't in exactly its glory days and "change" could infact have a positive outcome. And this doesn't just translate into the whole country as small changes can affect us. But, in this blog I'm not going to list small changes like...ehem.
-I get a raise
-I work in a less busy environment
-Customers stop being assholes
-Shit stops being overprised
-WoW is claimed best game ever
-Runescape claimed worst game ever
-Pokemon can once again be a hilarious topic of our AP class (sorry Bunje, that day was just too funny)
-I stop being a crappy test taker.
-School stops bugging me about taking off my hood and taking out my earphones. (Its early morning, and im in school, don't you think im miserable enough?)
- and soooooo much more for me to think of.
Well, actually, instead im going to focus on one change that I have recently started to find interest in. This change has to do with our government. No, this is not a lecture on how "the government is corrupt and we must unite under our generation to stop this douchebaggery from destroying us" -silly Mr. Sera. But, instead, I wish to complain about the position of president. Why do you have to be United States citizen to become the president of the U.S. Its like a bomb to the face for anyone who came to this country looking for the so called "land of the free." I mean, you go through the trouble of learning the language, you put yourself throuhg hours and hours of school, education, law, the strings of the government, and in the end, all you get is some fat American dude with a sign that says "Fuck You, stick to being Dah Govenah!!!" Poor Arnold. Im don't feel that I can someday become president. If I can learn to write a stump speech with an overly used word to force unthinking voters into throwing ballets with my name on them at my face, I would. But I can't, heck I don't even know what word to use. Change is taken....soo damn. Of course, that also doesn't mean that I am not at all appaled by how unfare this all seems. What is wrong with having the country run by someone who wasn't really born here. This is a democracy. A dictatorship is basically an impossible outcome. Also, as we learned, the president doesn't hold a candle to Congress. So the only effect putting a president of a different country of origin would be giving America an "actual" alliance with foreign nations. Face it, this country doesnt know how to make friends. Its like a new kid at school who thinks weggies and swirlies are very admirable pranks. What else would it bring? well, definately new ideas. If colonization is all that an American president can see throuhg that hand-stitched and overly striped flag can see, then maybe someone with a little more mind can understand that YOU ARE ONE OF THE BIGGEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD AND HAVE ALMOST AS MANY NUKE STOCKPILES AS THE #1 (RUSSIA WOOT), STOP BEING SUCH GREEDY BASTARDS. In fact, if a president is picked who actually isn't a patriot of gun slinging and miraculously winning wars at very uneven odds finds his place in office, I would have to think that the Big Red Button of Eternal DOOM would seem a lot less tempting. Seriously, I see this as the biggest challenge of being president. Not the paperwork, not the people loving to critisize and pick at every small mistake you make, and not even your wife slowly moving away from you, but the fact that you can kill thousands of people that want you dead, but you "shouldn't." To me, that is very tempting. If you just have such nerves of steel, or would just plug in a Wii and start playing an intence game of Wii Tennis to keep your mind off the "Easy" button, then you are all set. Any other person, would see a plane crashing into a giant tower as a plea for getting a nuke shoved up their ass. Any one else would just say "fuck it" and end our world...probably around 2012. You can't say that Im bullshitting as we have had presidents succumb to such stress, and that president is Truman. Faced with the death of Roosevelt, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and an untested bomb that can whipe out a city and a half....the man chose to go with dropping the bomb on the city, and then dropping another bomb on another city. Niceeeeeee. Wanna club baby seals and then sell the heads as wall decor? Just a few years back, a certain president faced a lot of bullshit that started happing to this country, and I am incredibly surprised that he has not pressed that button well into his second term. This newcomer however Im not so sure about. He's happy and downhome on the outside, but his past is very cripted and we don't know if he has some weird fetish for big red buttons of destruction and DOOM. I on the other hand, would definately be a suitable replacement for Obama. I would not need to even approach that button. I have all the essentials to distract me from beign able to blow many things up =) . Also I like to think that I can make a good leader under stressful situations, but hey, thats just me. So yeah, I guess this did turn out as a pretty disorganized rant and if you survived it, you deserve a freaking trophy.
Oh dear HOCKEY PUCKS! Are we really being asked yet another of these
questions that will take me all of three days to make an answer to!
RAWRS!!!!
Anyway, unlike a couple of people, I am a creature who thrives in chaos
and change (this doesn't mean that I strive for change, after all, I am
a lazy lazy girl.) I enjoy change and the idea of change; if our lives
were the same forever, would there really be any point to our existence
at all if we were unable to impact our world? I tend to think that
life is all about change and how we come to adapt to our ever changing
environment. It's like a game or a test in a sense: if we survive, we
win the game, if we end up going insane or dying, we lose. (FYI: if you
are playing the game, you just lost.) And even though I am not one to
make changes themselves, I accept the changes the world throws at me
(my acceptances and transitions may not be the most graceful in the
world, but I've learned to deal with it in stride, like all things.)
Adopt, adapt, and improve (motto of the Round Table.)
If I could make a significant change to the world, I have no real idea
what I would want that change to be. I don't want it to be something
dumb, like say world peace because that would make me appear unoriginal
on this and simple minded. Yet I don't want to say something too
abstract since it may confuse and bewilder people and prove my overall
assumed insanity. So rather than pressing the matter with arguments
with myself that will prove utterly fruitless, I'll just throw out a
bone and see if anyone will accept this change. here it goes:
If I could make one real change in the world, I would make it so that
everyone would know the joy of a loving, caring family.
I know, I know, that was more than a little sappy, but it's all that
I've got right now. But I really want the five odd of you that read
this to actually think about it: how different would the world be if
everyone came from a loving family? Just think about it. How would
you live your life if you knew that your family cared about you and
loved you and would do anything in its power to keep you safe? Pretty
basic, isn't it? But there are a lot of people in the would right now
that DON'T have that, they don't have that reassurance that no matter
how much they may screw up in life, no matter how many mistakes they
make, no matter what problems they will face in their life, that there
will still be at least one person that still cares for them and will be
there for them and will never leave them alone, no matter how bad their
life may become. I think that it would change how many people view the
world and their lives.
One of the tenet beliefs of my faith is that the family is the most
important thing in your mortal life: nothing you do will have as much
impact on the world than the way you interact with your family. I know
that it may seem silly to some of you, maybe even all of you, but I
believe in this, it's one of the few things in this world that I can
cleave to without worry. I know that I may screw up, that I may offend
those that I care about, that my actions may hurt or offend or even
disappoint those I love, but I know that no matter how deep of a hole I
may dig for myself. I can count on my family to be there for me to help
me get beck out again. I know that my family will always love me and
that gives me the confidence I need to live my life. If not for them,
I would never have gotten this far in my life. my world would have
ended a long time ago and I'm pretty sure that I would have been the
one to have ended it. I can't live without my family, they are the only
ones that I could never live without.
Could you imagine a world where everyone felt the same way? That is
the kind of world I wouldn't mind living in.
Yeah, that was all very cheesey, I know. Mother freaking DEAL, okay!
Jordan: well, if you didn't aggravate your sister as much, maybe she
wouldn't threaten you with the shocky stick (of course, that is a BIG
maybe, I know.)
SarahC: Why don't you let go of your hatred for the name Gertrude? it's
not that bad of a name. i had a Great Aunt Gertrude and she was just
fine with her name. And it's not like that ended up becoming your name
anyway. LET IT GO!
Eva: Thank you for not fearing change, it's nice to know that I am
among a good select few. And you're right, people do need to open
their eyes and see what has happened to the world around them. Perhaps
if people stopped being so blind we could have been able to stop many
of the problems that we now face today. Sometimes I wonder what has
happened to the world and the general public; do they honestly believe
that they had nothing to do with the state of the world and that this
all happened over night or something? People can really be thick, can't
they?
Matt W: I liked the fact that your Bible verse was from the Book of
Matthew. That was a very nice touch if I do say so myself. Btu i
don't think that you should fear change: change is natural, you change
a little everyday whether you realize it or not. Embrace change and you
will be surprised and pleased with where it decides to take you.
Bung: Your avatar scare the tar out of me. It keeps looking at me and
its eyes follow me everywhere I go! It is pretty, but that doesn't
remove the fact that it is one of the most frightening things I have
encountered in life (it's right up there with the possessed SHELBY I
once owned. I always knew the thing was evil, but that day just sealed
the deal!) No offense or anything, but it gives me the willies.
An now, I leave you with this thought:
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the
courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the
difference." -Niebuhr
And thanks to everyone who read last week's blog. It's always nice to
know that someone will hear your opinion.
Change. So often people pine for change in their lives, in their work, in their relationships, in the world, yet so few of them are willing to take the steps necessary to affect this change, to set things in motion that will better the lives of themselves and others around them. The problem, though, is that somewhere along the line we got caught up in thinking that causing change is a monumental undertaking, a formidable task that can only be accomplished by highly paid, elected officials behind closed doors in a top-secret facility. That is the biggest misconception about change; that only the bigiwigs sitting in their ivory towers know the answers to the problems of the world. It is their job to eliminate hunger, to defeat racism, to suppress murder in our cities. That's what they are paid to do, and the rest of should just stay out of the way. What can we do, right? is what we ask ourselves when presented with problems. Our deluded perception of our own individual power stems from decades and centuries of standing by and watching as the government took control of situations. But in times such as these, it is not enough to stand by and hope that a group of men can solve our problems. No matter how intelligent or influential Obama may be, it is impossible for one man (regardless of position) to repair all the flaws and struggles of our country. That would be akin to dropping a glass vase onto the hard ground and asking an artisan to return it to its original form. No, if we truly want change, if people really desire to see a revolution, they will quit staring skyward at the men and women deliberating and arguing amongst themsleves, and they will start to look around themselves. Men that are regarded with the utmost respect in every corner of the world, men whose names are spoken reverently by anyone who is aware of their actions and stories, men like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Ghandi, did not sit idly by as they waited for those in positions of power to grant them their rights. If a Baptist minister and a lawyer can restore hope and life to millions of people with their words, who is to say we can't? "Be the change you wish to see in the world" are the immortal words of Ghandi, words that still ring true every second of every day. It is not up to government officials to inspire change; it is up to us, the hard-working, everyday citizens, to "be the change". All we need to do is take our minds off the problems in the world, and focus them on the problems within ourselves.Because really, how can we hope to diagnose and heal other people's issues if we can't even acknowledge our own? For change to take place, we need to first examine ourselves, to discover our strengths and our faults, our advantages and our weaknesses, our merits and our flaws, and then apply them in ways that will better the lives of those around us. Because really, that is the simplest way to affect change: to be an example for those around you by caring for people. Do a good deed for a stranger, and they may just keep it going, a domino effect that could ultimately revolutionize your family, school, town, state, or country without so much as one piece of legislature being passed. These simple actions encompass the changes I want to see in myself, and in others, to ultimately change the world and how we human beings perceive each other.
Jani:
I really enjoyed reading your blog. i think you have quite that point there. The fact is we do tend to toss around the word "change" just as much as "love". we quickly forget what it means and how to embody it. Your "change" is one that is probably the most important of all because if we don't believe and embody how can we possible hope to see a change.
Alice:
Thanks for you kind words but i don't know that i would be the best candidate for changing the world if i was the only one who had the power. Im sure there are major better people who are much more focused on the good of the whole than i am. Oh, and no, Brendan did not say that, at least to me, Myra did.
Myra:
Thanks and truthfully i did realize the bible verse was from matthew, even though it oput it in there. And you're probably right about there's nothing to fear about change. I now just have to buck up the courage to overcome that fear.
“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” -Nelson Mandela. Every day on the bus, I sit with the people I grew up with, and we talk about everything that happened that day and over the past 10 years. We talk about bus drivers that we tortured out of the spot, kids who moved away, and the latest incidents at school. As people got off the bus the conversation died down. I said to the one remaining conversationalist, remember when we were in second grade and we looked up at the eighth graders like they were one step below god. This got me thinking of just how much I’ve changed. Obviously I have undergone a dramatic transformation physically. I have also changed the way I look at the world. I was scared of the world outside that of my small town, but now I long for the adventure and satisfaction that travel and adventure bring. I have been hardened by the coarse boundaries of each year I grow older.
I would change the grim outlook on life that far too many people, including myself, have. There are so many inevitable dooms that are just the pull of a trigger or the flip of a switch away from annihilating the world. Human conflict drives hate in the hearts of too many, and makes them do things that no human should be able to do to another. A little purity in the world would give everyone a fresh start. Hopefully they would realize that the things they were fighting so passionately about, is really just a bunch of unneeded tension. I would want to, if only for a moment, remember what it was like to not be scared by the death of a family member, or even something as innocent as believing whole heartedly in something, without needing to see proof of its existence. In a way, the holidays make children grow up faster than they need to. Well, not specifically the holidays, but the business tycoons that overprice toys on Christmas, chocolates on Valentine’s Day, and even eggs on Easter. They inject such an impurity into the holiday that should not be there. A family should not have to worry about the presents they get their children rather that they are all together celebrating. I feel the worst for the children who had their innocence stripped from them at an early age. Michael Jackson is a prime example of a child without a childhood. He was worked to the breaking point by his father as a boy, and now he is in control and wants to live like a boy. He is just forty years too late. The public would not even want him to be able to have a childhood. The crew managers, directors, producers all looked away; America looked away all for entertainment. Children who expect their parents to come back from war to take them to their first ball game, only to attend their funeral. What a trade off don’t you think? All for what? They deserve their innocence more than anyone else.
Sergei - When do I get my trophy? Once I started reading your post, I couldn't really stop because you expertly reeled me in with your small list of changes. Anyway, what I took away from your post was that you should replace Obama as president because 1. you know how to distract yourself 2. you wouldn't blow everyone up and 3. you're Russian. If you need a campaign manager for 2012, let me know.
Hayley:
"But with change, we can’t just have the good without the bad. That’s life."
This is very true. It would be a perfect world if their was only good change. I assure you this isn't a perfect world.
Though we all fear, or perhaps have some apprehension at the idea of change, there is little doubt that if we could do so on our own volition, we would want some, even slight change in the world, whether it is minor or major. Perhaps people want to stop having to work, or wish that the government could provide free cookies and milk every day. These are examples of simple changes, of course, which ironically, may be more impossible than many grander dreams.
For those who don’t know, I follow the belief that people are idiots, much like Dan does. And frankly, that’s probably not changing. I’m not going to try to make people smarter, nor am I going to rid the world of prejudice, or make people stop being lazy. What I want is to make sure that people think before they take action. This is definitely possible, especially if it is taught in childhood. This is quite silly, seeing as action and consequence is the very basis of law in society.
Perhaps I should give a common example. A bad student, for example; constantly disobeying the teacher, with a reason no more complex than “I don’t feel like listening.” Though there are situations where it can be justified, rarely do they occur, and even then, most of them can’t argue their way out of a paper bag, with the opening facing sideways. What comes into my mind is, “Why?” Why not think your actions through and save everyone, especially yourself, a pain that will get you nowhere? The same can be said of any crime, and even the repercussions of a few mean-spirited comments. Frankly, I’m going to stick with the fact that people want the seemingly simple path, much like wasting time finding a remote when going up to the television can save much more time. Or to put it simply, people at times have logical skills lower than that of a dead goldfish. If we all thought out our actions, we can consider the emotions of those we are effecting, and the possible damage, or perhaps good, our actions can lead to.
Changing people is where it gets tough. For people willing to accept criticism, I could simply tell them directly to think before speaking after they say something stupid, while being completely serious. However, this group, isn’t usually the problem. How do I spread it among the public, and change those who believe that the best option when having a gun pointed to you is to punch the gunman across the face (No, it won't work)?
Frankly, other than beating some sense into them, either physically or metaphorically, learning of it from childhood seems to be the only option. I could become a teacher, but frankly, I can’t stand children. The only option would be reforming the teaching of social behaviors in school. It would be ideal to make people understand the dangers of not thinking one’s actions through. One example of such, as seen on TV, would be how people in juvenile halls were given tours of prisons…by prisoners (ones known for good behavior, of course), purposely acting as if they were inmates. We can’t exactly do this to children…or most normal people, but making the dangers of stupid actions seem more impending would help.
Now that I’ve succeeded in making up a society filled with the paranoid, I’ll have to say, the main problem is that people usually don’t have to consider consequences in childhood. Teachers ignore the obvious and even then, nothing, other than a slight slap on the wrist, which by this generation, is likely, considered child abuse, is given as punishment. I would never suggest corporal punishment, but I would have to find a way to make it a requirement that hired elementary school teachers…guidance counselors…staff… parents…have to be actually competent in keeping order early on.
Yet, even then, we can’t solve it all without complete oppression, to my knowledge. This idea...takes more than three days of thought.
Alright, this is the third time I'm writing this blog, because this freaking laptop HATES ME. I probably should've written this blog Sunday night, since EVERYBODY (hyperbole!) seems to have the same response to this as me, but whatever. I will try to make it different and un-boring to read, I promise.
Anyway. Devon, I really liked your blog. I'm glad now that I decided to change my speech topic last minute, or we'd have ended up writing very similar speeches. I can't wait to hear yours though, I'm certain it will be very interesting. =]
Lastly, Molly, I also liked your blog. It was very well written, and you made some super valid points.
Last Sunday, I decided to write some letters. I have a lot of friends who I don't get to talk to very often; either due to lack of free time or lack of similar time zones (coughcough KATIE coughcough) and so I frequently try to write them letters. Unfortunately, I'm awful at writing letters. I start out with all these things to tell the person and end up running out of time, or losing it before I can find a stamp, or running out of ink and never finding a new pen, and I'm left with a novel of stationary that gets to absolutely no point. I frequently get so mad at these long, stupid letters that I refuse to send them. But I decided a week or so ago that I really needed to write some people, so I allotted some time and sat down to write. I pulled out a few stationary boxes from my little stationary cabinet,* and found a quiet chair. There I began to write to Katie, frequently getting distracted. One of these distractions led to me finding a folded piece of yellow construction paper in my purse, with a quote on it:
"If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it."
It's by mother Teresa, and although it may seem odd for me to find this in my purse, it's really not. See, last week before drama class, inspired by a good book, I asked the art teacher lady for a big piece of yellow construction paper, and cut it into a ton of little rectangles. Then I folded them in half and asked a bunch of other drama kids to help me write quotes on them.
You may have noticed, walking into school last Tuesday, that there were randomly little yellow cards taped to people's lockers. That's because I put them there. After drama last Monday, I walked through the hallways with 16 cards and a roll of tape, and tried to improve people's lives a little bit. The quotes centered on having compassion, hope, and understanding, and I'm hoping at least one of those 16 people who got those cards, read their quote and had a little "Woah." moment.
It's entirely possible that they all tore them off without even looking at them, but I am hopeful. And the yellow card I found it my purse reminded me of that, which inspired me to finish writing my letters.
I wrote Katie, told her a bit of what was going on, and then asked her to do me a favor. I asked her to find some yellow construction paper, and write quotes on them. Then I asked her to tape them to lockers in her school, in Hesperia, Cali. Then I promptly wrote to Tim, and asked him to do the same thing, but taping them to people's dorm doors. By doing this, I am, in a small way, being the change I want in the world. Unselfish acts of kindness- doing nice things that won’t directly benefit you- make you happy, and they make the person you were nice to happy. It develops whatever part of your brain causes instinctual kindness, and makes the person you’re kind to feel like maybe they ought to try being kind too. Compassion, empathy, happiness and kindness are all things I think the world needs more of, and I try to live by that daily, and that I try to encourage others to live by.
* I lovelovelovelove stationary. It’s my weakness and my favorite aisle in Staples.
(I'm in a really bad mood as I'm writing this, so sorry if this comes off... well.... incoherent and unintelligent. I'm absolutely beside myself right now.)
If I had the opportunity to change anything in the world, I would want to change people and their mindset about life. Broad, yes. Vague, very. Typical? Probably. Unoriginal? Ehh. You could say that. But if there's one thing that I despise in this world, it's the masses of uncaring, uncouth, disgusting, dispicable people that surround me. I hate people. I absolutely loathe them. I'm not exaggerating here, and I'm not trying to be cool or hardcore.
Now, I'm sure most of you are like "Well she's just full of it. Maegan always seems happy and personable to me."
I know this. But the way I see it, people are fascinating creatures. They're like the beetles scurrying around on the underside of a log. They disgust you, but you're captivated by them. You watch them move around, completely oblivious to the world around them, creating their own pitiful existence, not knowing that as soon as you let the log fall back to the ground they'll all be squished and die and no one will know or care.
Their lives are futile. So are ours. We're all the same here: meaningless. We fill ourselves up with air, bloated minds contemplating stupid concepts and ideas that won't matter in the end. It's silly. I'm not going to stand for it.
All this ranting and I haven't said much, have I? Well, if I could change one thing about the world, it would be overly optimistic people whose heads are in the clouds. These people are just kidding themselves. When they die, only a select few will notice, and even then, their memory will fade away until no one even remembers they were there in the first place. Is this what life is about? Deluding ourselves, dreaming and believing in things that do not exist, and then knowing at the end that we've wasted our time because there is nothing left for us except oblivion. Why doesn't anyone see this but me? If I could change anything, I would make people see that in the end, our lives are meaningless. And thats that.
I already responded.
I feel a little bit better now, after writing that. Hooray for venting via blog!
"Look America. I'm not going to sugar coat it. If you, the American people, don't begin to think, and I mean give some serious thought to the issue, about your actions, your decisions, and how to better our world today, we are going to all die." First off the entire country would go into turmoil and probably impeach him because apparently you can't say things like that when your the president. It's equivalent to yelling fire in a movie theater, only this time there really is a fire. But I will bet you that people would begin thinking. If they didn't believe him however, the entire country would be subject to death just like he said. The Great Depression II will hit, have the population will starve, the rich people will take a space ship to Mars and find more water but no air, war will break out, someone will shoot a nuke, then we will all die in an apocalyptic nuclear war. But then no one is left to say, "I told you so," so it wouldn't really matter.
Jordan,
I love how you put the problems of the world in terms of the "lessers" who are ruining the planet. I can't help but agree with you about how they all must "think" everything out as having one of two outcomes. If everyone thought about all the outcomes, the world would be a better place. Maybe we do need to start over in a tree dome on Mars. I really hope not, but the way things have been going, the lessers aren't putting much into the equation, so the outcome can't turn out pretty.
Sergei
Well, let's start with that Run Escape has quite a wide array of things to do. If only the community...game masters...graphics...economy...plot...leveling system...combat...non-eye-bleeding-causingness...didn't suck.
Your change is something I'd have to agree with. Especially being a person being born in the far off land of...south California, I think the same way.For a melting pot, it's surprising that a citizen has to be born in the U.S. to be president. Well, until the change comes, it's a tough life for the Governator. I'll have to admit though, I lost you somewhere around "Wii Tennis".
Moll moll-
I totally agree. Teenagers are annoying. They need to stop being self-centered brats and realize that the whole world does not revolve around them and their cellphones. Ha ha. I once heard some wise words: "All you need is love." I forget where. But it's true. :)
Mehmehmehmehmeh.
P.s. Vikkie come to church with me! <3333
Change? Heh. Serious time. The change I want to see, but unfortunately not a change I can believe in, is honesty. By itself, not much of a change, not much of a movement, not even much of a word. I mean, it's only three syllables. Not much of anything at all really. Honesty. And yet, at the end, it's all we really have.
In the book V for Vendetta one of my favorite sequences is when Evey, a young girl taken under V's wing, is imprisoned. She is threatened with death, repeatedly tortured, and doesn't give in. She resists for only one reason. A note from a fellow prisoner, Valerie. A former prisoner, whose only crime was homosexuality. This note was a biography of sorts, but it was also a lesson. She spoke of integrity. “It sells for so little, but it's all we have left in this place.” “It is the very last inch of us, but within that inch we are free.” “An inch. It's small and it's fragile and it's the only thing in the world that's worth having.” Valerie refused to give in to her fascist tormentors, remaining truthful to herself and what she was even to the point of death. Offered her life in exchange for a lie, she refused, as did Evey. I can quote Evey here even without the book, just because the line sticks out so prominently in my mind. When offered one last time the chance to lie for her life she refused, saying “Thank you, but I'd rather die behind the Chemical Sheds.” We do not have to make that choice, that ultimate choice of remaining honest or death. So it should not be hard for us. We do not have to sell our integrity for our lives, and yet we sell it for the smallest favors. This must end.
This integrity, the most important thing we have, we seem to not value. Instead of respecting the duality of things, we only want smoothness, not the growth and refreshed spirits that come from breaking the norms. We want our lives to be smooth, and whether we're aware of it or not, our lives are arranged to make sure routines are followed. This must end. We tell lies to avoid paths we don't know, or don't want. The truth is one thing, if nothing else. Fair. We spend years sometimes lying our way out of consequences, when a month of punishment would end it. We avoid accountability in favor of a false image. This must end.
It's a slippery slope, lying, and the web of lies our parents spoke of does exist. We get caught, and forget what lies exactly we've told to which people. And when you goof, and forget one or two, or even mix up the people you tell them to, that's it. Bonds of trust that create friendship, love, and a single lie can destroy all of that, bringing it down like so many bladed playing cards, and not just on yourself. Setting yourself up for failure, but when you must control others to avoid facing up, the world will get you back. This. Must. End.
Not only that, but without honesty, can we really know who anyone is? The answer, folks, is no. Without truth, everything is fragile. We walk among spiderless webs friends, and anyone who's ever been walking along a trail in the woods and hit a spider's web at head head level knows how treacherous they can be. Now imagine everything is those. One misstep, one false leap, and you may be trapped or dead. Now imagine a world without them. Not lies, those spider webs. No more silk in your eyes, no more clawing at your face like there's a headcrab attacking. Now that we have that peaceful image, let's apply it to the metaphor, shall we?
A world without lies, much like a world without leaders, would be as close to perfection as we can come. No guile means happiness. Think for a moment. Countless (stupid) people are trapped at jobs they hate, or jobs they 'cannot' leave. Most of this is fear of disappointing someone or other. However, if there's anything the Lifetime television my mother continues to watch has taught me by osmosis, this is almost always a misunderstanding. So we're trapped in uncaring, unhealthy lives, for no reason at all. And if they really are disappointed when you're happy, is that somewhere you want to be with? Nine out of ten times, the answer is no. But we lie for whatever transient pleasures we can grasp, digging ourselves an early grave. I say again. If the human race is to grow beyond apes, trapped rubbing two sticks together to see what happens, and fighting wars over which sticks to rub and who should be doing the rubbing, this must end.
The only real downside to a world without lies would be that House would need a new catchphrase. But our lives would be much more fulfilling and a good deal less listless if we couldn't lie and say we're fine. I've already decided to avoid lying as much as I can. Like any drug, it's hard but not impossible.. It takes effort and willpower, and a lot of times it leaves comfort in the dust, but that comfort comes at a price too high for me to pay any longer. What about you all?
@ Ivan: This... Is... I agree. Wholeheartedly. But, without Brave New World style child indoctrination, I'm not entirely sure it's possible. Hopefully society stops being stupid sometime soon.
Change! Where do I begin? There is so much that we as a human race need to change it is almost too overwhelming to even think about it. If I really had to choose just one thing to change I suppose thinking back to the great religious philosopher Gandhi’s quote, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” helps me to see what I believe he intended his message for us to be and what we must change. If we want to see change we have to begin with ourselves. The one thing that I would like to change in the world is a constant thing that I often question. I believe we could make the greatest impact on us as a human race if we would change our character. Our character is the one thing that we own that can never be taken from us. It is ours for the keeping and giving. We can lose our materialistic gains and we can lose our heath but in the end, as long as we want to, we maintain our character. It is our choice to give away our compassion by being cruel, we choose to be disrespectful, we choose to be dishonest, and we choose to give up when the going gets tough. All of the attributes that define our character are our most prized possessions and yet so often and too easily we chose to kick them to the curb frivolously and without remorse. Be a little kinder than necessary each day, tell the truth always, be honest to a fault, be dependable , exhibit perseverance, be diligent, show good citizenship, do all of these things each day and when the sun sets at the end of the day you will have changed yourself, your character, for the better. And without much effort you will undoubtedly have changed everyone’s life you have come in contact with. If you take the time to listen to the old man’s story, and he sees in your eyes that you are really interested, even if you’re not, you have given him hope and compassion. He sees in your eyes that his stories are still alive. That is change. If you shovel that elderly neighbor’s sidewalk, unanimously, she will wake with a peace in her heart and she will share with another in some small way. If you choose to turn away at the sound of gossip or hurtful lies you have saved more than your own soul. We are the beast that learns best from example and if we stay strong and lead by good example and we change the things in this world that bring about some of this nations darkest moments, we bring light and hope and change! Martin Luther King, who was influenced by Ghandi, challenged us to be a nation that judged each other by the content of our character. No more true or more poignant words ever rang true that day. We were a nation divided and as we have learned to improve our character we improve ourselves, our nation and our world, one character trait at a time.
*Carly…….”Basically, life can end anyway, anyhow, and anywhere, which is why we need to live it like there’s no tomorrow.”
While reading your blog I could not help but to the think about Tim McGraw’s song Live Like You Were Dieing. I can never go angry or say hateful things to anyone in my family before going to bed. I always think what if something happens and they are not here tomorrow. I wish I could just live every moment with my conscience in that mode. Loved the blog especially the part where you mentioned your sister because I can be the same way with my brother at times.
I’ve been starting to doubt myself lately. But what of it right? Especially during teenage years kids are expected to grovel, groan and gripe about all the changes, challenges and chapters of life they cross. But it’s different for me. It’s always been different. Actually the difference has been the problem but also the solution depending on where I was in my life. It’s funny how our greatest attributes can become our greatest flaws, sometimes before we’ve taken notice that the change has occurred. The things we are most sure of, the things we can grasp and count on can suddenly evaporate. Evaporate like Leonard Okoth’s shirt after he finishes the 400m.
When that change occurred, when this attribute flew so far away out of my grasp, I can’t recall when that time was. It all happens so fast when you’re oblivious to your surroundings. There’s a beautiful time when we have no idea of the true limits of the sky. In this time we can fly higher than we ever thought only because we don’t know where the ceiling is. But then the change occurs when that attribute slips away and fly’s higher then you can imagine. Then you realize that the limit is so far away and out of reach. Has the sky always been this far away?
Of course. The sky is not so whimsical that it will draw closer to or push away from those not in its favor. It’s when we’re young and invincible, that’s when you can feel as though you’re in the sky. That was the time, when I was invincible. I remember how it feels, how it felt to be invincible. There is no rush, no great feeling of power like you would expect there to be for someone who has no equal. Simply because you are in control, you do not feel any anxiety or hype. It’s the calm quiet assurance of victory and success that supplies the power. I felt this everywhere I was but the true manifestation of it was in sports. Races, they were the places where I felt completely in control, invincible. Swimming, running, rowing; no matter what I could go out and be sure that I would win; it was just what I did. If someone ran as fast as me the only solution would be to run faster. I was always so sure of myself and my ability to succeed no matter what I faced. Everything I did was done in confidence and self assurance. My abilities; superior, my ideas; second to none.
What would you call this phenomenon? Ignorance and innocence are the best answers I can attest to. You can’t know anything better than yourself until you have been exposed to it. Because I never knew anyone faster than me I was unable to comprehend that I could be beaten. Actually I knew defeat existed I just didn’t think it would happen.
Just from writing this I’ve been searching out the times when I found out I wasn’t invincible any longer. The majority of the times I’ve identified occurred right when all changes occur, high school. It was here that I learned of painful defeat. Besides many failed tests and shut downs my condemning teachers my biggest defeats were on the field. The Chuck Norris of high school athletics, Brett Johnson, was the one who stripped the feeling away not just from me but from innocent freshmen across the state. I had never seen anyone come and completely destroy a race like him. And what made it worse was the fact that he did it wearing sunglasses, what a cocky bastard.
However a beating from Brett was not enough to crush my spirits. The fatal blow occurred this summer, the first time I saw death. It wasn’t at all like I would have expected it to be. I associated the thought of death with pain and agony, but that’s not the truth of it. Not when you’re the one watching death, not when you’re the one who was supposed to save them. When people say it happens in slow motion it really does. The day goes by normally whistling in straying bathers, keeping kids away from the pipe. But then one guy doesn’t make it back in, he struggles, goes red in the face from the fight. Before you know it he’s down and all that remains are hands grasping for nonexistent ladders to pull himself from the frothing ocean, seeming to thrash with content as it pulls its victim to the murky depths. Repeated practice has you in the boat and out to the man within seconds but it’s not fast enough as you see him and the fear in his eyes as he slips under. The fast work of many hands finds him within seconds and with a few more hands push against his chest and mouths force air into his lungs. As the milliseconds tick away you have hours of thought hearing the surreal yells of captains and shrills of safety whistles. That’s quite ironic isn’t it? Safety whistles. They are not announcing safety, as most of the time the announce impending doom and in this case are the tolls of death bells as the procession of lifeguards bring the man ashore to his sandy funeral bead.
With all the training in the world and all the effort possible poured into saving one man’s life you find that it just can’t be done. That’s when the sky reveals its true depths. At this moment you can really see how insignificant we are compared to the rest of the world. There’s a time in every life when you realize that you’re limit may fall very short of what the maximum potential can be. After this incident I realized that I was never the same. I was always cautious and scared that my own abilities would not be enough to get the job done. I became unsure of myself and unsure of my actions. From that point I had resigned myself to become just another kid who worried about all the same things as other kids and was no more invincible then a sand castle is to the incoming tide.
A simple change is what has caused all of this mess. A change in the way I saw the world and a change in the way I see myself. Overall I am a person who is very opposed to change. I like things to stay remotely constant just because as an AP student and athlete my life is a tad over scheduled and any inconsistencies ruin that schedule. One change I would not mind however would be to regain that sense of invincibility and confidence that I used to have. I feel so inefficient when I do not trust my own actions and more than anything I miss that control I used to have. The problem though is how someone goes about getting back their confidence. We see actors do it all the time on the big screen. Heroes accompanied by blasting sound effects and stunning visuals regain their man hood or the eye of the tiger and proceed to beat the bad guy. Unfortunately I have no idea where to find the eye of the tiger at. But when I do I can assure everyone that a big change will be in store for me.
In response to Janiru:
Omgwfbbqroflmao! Z mj./;’[sdklfj sef hg. And yes I did just do a /faceroll. I completely agree with your views on change and how it has become overplayed. This whole campaign has shoved the idea of change down our throats for two years and it’s about time the media stopped throwing around such a powerful word. The constant overuse of the word only attests to the ignorance with which people speak of it. Change is a huge thing with far reaching affects. Even the simplest alteration can drastically change the world. I feel that if the people who constantly talk about change understood the depth of the word they are using it would change their outlook on the topic. I’m not trying to say that Obama’s use of the idea is flawed or overdone, but I think the magnitude of what he is saying is lost upon the masses as they don’t truly understand what the word means.
Alice: Your blog is pure poetry.
Today in Mr. Cervi’s history class we went over a topic that caught my attention. We discussed the emergence of various racist organizations such as the Klu Klux Klan, and their influence over the nation. It made me ponder about racism, its roots, its creation, its reason. I cannot fathom the reasoning behind racism. The sheer ignorance behind hating someone for their culture or skin color is unbelievable to me, yet it once ran rampant throughout our nation. I traced racism in this nation back to the slave owners, who developed racism from the slave traders, who learned from the Portuguese, who learned from the Romans, who learned from the Greeks, who learned from the Babylonians. It’s ridiculous how riddled human existence is with racism, and, it would seem that racism is an inherent instinct embedded in our mind from birth, but that’s simply not true.
Racism is something that must be taught, and not only taught, but pounded into someone’s head until the hatred becomes accepted, not understood. It’s a blind following that stems from ignorance, and I believe it’s something that can be changed in the world.
What I want to change in this world is not the views and opinions of the Klu Klux Klan and other racist organizations. That’s like trying to teach a cat to play fetch, it’s just not going to happen. What I want is a change in the mutually accepted racism that is constantly developing in our nation. Now, I’m not calling everyone in the country a racist, in fact America is the most accepting nation in the world, but we still have racism. A Muslim will be accused of terrorism and a Mexican will be verbally bludgeoned for “taking our jobs” when they have done nothing of the sort. It’s these kinds of ignorant comments that I want to eradicate. People generalize too easily, and relate an entire culture to a small group of individuals. We do it because it’s an easy visual rationalization, “they look the same, so they must act the same too,” and it’s the root of all racism. Stereotypes like these stick and grow, which lead to even more problems and racism down the road.
I think the solution to racism lies in our children. We don’t exactly have to change what we teach them, but just add to the list. We have to teach our children that all people are equal just like we teach them their manners and the ABC’s. We overwhelm our children about staying away from drugs and strangers but hardly touch upon equality. What we need is a generational push against racism. If our children are instilled with the ideals of equality, then they will teach it to their children, and so on, and eventually phase out racism all together. I wouldn’t say I wanted to change this nation’s ideals if I didn’t think it was possible, but we have the potential to put an end to a form of hatred that has caused an unimaginable amount of suffering throughout human history. All it takes is a little knowledge, and a lot of effort, and we could change the world forever.
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the
courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the
difference." -Niebuhr
Myra, great minds think alike, no? I put this in my last blog! Only I called it the Serenity Prayer and cited it as the one they like to recite at AA meetings. And I have no clue who that Niebuhr guy is.
Danny, I saw the movie "V for Vendetta." Is it anything like the book?
Molly:
when I first started reading your blog, I right away right clicked and copied your first sentence, b/c i thought I wanted to comment on that, since I liked it so much. but then I read your second sentence, and I wanted to praise you for that one..but then I went ahead and read the whole first paragraph and tried to decide which part I should comment on, when I reallized that I didn't have to pick just one part. Your whole first paragraph is amazing. I loved ABSOLUTELY everything you wrote in there, and only wish I'd thought of it. I liked everything you said because I agreed with all of it..to tell the truth, i didn't even read farther than the first paragraph, but that's only because I was too excited about the first paragraph that I just had to go and comment on it and tell you how great it was. But anyway, you are right about teenagers and their actions, and I would definately like to see a change in that also.
Oh also, Myra I thought the motto at the Round Table was, "We don't eat until something weird happens and we send somebody on a life threatening quest. On an empty stomach. Huzzah!" That's how it seemed to me, anyway.
Also, I'm sorry, but I just came too close to being named Gertrude for comfort.
If I had but one wish on which to stand,
I'd wish the weapons all turn to sand.
And I'd see the gunners watch their empty hands,
Fall down to their sides.
If I had but one wish on which to stand,
I'd see the weapons all leave Sudan.
And I'd see the gunners wash their empty hands,
Down by the riverside.
If one found one's self with the ability to make any one major change in the world, there wouldn't be much room in the decision making process. Not morally, anyway. Every change would be something along the lines of "World Peace" or "World happiness". Even at the opposite end of the spectrum you're still left with "World Domination" and "World Destruction". I think I should probably stay away from these generic yet fantastic changes, just for the sake of realism.
The more realistic yet still fantastic change I'd like to see in the world would be less hate based purely on blind faith. I'm sure some of you are nodding in agreement and some of you are scratching your h- Ah, who am I kidding. It's wednesday. All of three people are going to read this. Let me just explain it for the sake of explaining it then. There is violence going on in all corners of the world for no real reason whatsoever. Holy wars are being declared on those who were brought up believing something different. People are being beaten up, murdered on the street for their color. The world is being taught hate from early childhood, and it's burning a hole in my heart. (Excuse me if I don't make a whole lot of sense. I'm a bit tired.)
This actually ties into my speech topic more than a little. I just feel like more can be done to combat meaningless violence. If we could find a way to influence different types of people to distribute evenly in the world, perhaps we could actually have world peace. From my own low foothold on the mountain of influence, however, there's little I can do. I can speak out against hatred, like I am now. That's about it. If I had money and power, however, I'd be able to make a real difference. Give incentive for black families to live in white communities, and a bit of understanding will grow from it. Give incentive for white children to play with black children, and a bit of understanding will grow from it. Send our christian children to a mosque, send our jewish children to sunday school, and send our atheist children to a theology course. Understanding will grow.
I'm trying my hardest not to cut into my speech material here. But anyway, that's my take on it. Blind faith leads mankind to war. If the guys who wrote the bible had a bit more forethought, they probably would have included it as one of the deadly sins. But I suppose nukes weren't even a glimmer in someone's eye back then.
Alright, I can't be serious any more. To Dan: Awesome, relating V for Vendetta in here. I've been reading a lot more american comics lately. V is a great one. Just finished watchmen.
So Tuesday was circus day, as a many of you saw, I dressed up like a tiger. Very cute, right? Well according to some, I am wrong. What should have been a pleasant normal day turned into a miserable day. I was ridiculed for dressing up. I showed school spirit and people were mean. When handing out Student Council meeting passes during homeroom, every classroom I walked into, I got comments. Occasionally people were nice and said they liked my outfit, but for every nice comment, there were three not-so-nice-comments. I got “Here kitty kitty kitty’s” and “Shit she ah tigar” even a mean-spirited “Happy Halloween.” There were sexual comments and others, which I don’t feel like repeating. Eventually it began to wear on me. By the time I got to twelfth period gym, I was not having a good day. I was fed-up. All I could think about was going home and changing my clothes. I even contemplated not getting dressed up for the rest of the week. Then in gym, it got worse. For some reason, certain people think the point of volleyball is to cause as much bodily harm as possible. This includes carrying the ball into people’s faces and hardcore punches at the ball toward special-ed kids. Here’s how my gym went. It was an average gym volleyball game when a wanabee-basketball player joined the other team. How did I know he was a wanabee? Well he took every opportunity to show off his basketball inspired volleyball moves. Which include jumping five feet in the air, and throwing it down, one handed, totally ‘natch, on the opposing teams. He also liked to show off the super spike, which I was on the receiving end multiple times. The first one caught me off guard and smacked me in the stomach, but I was brushed it off and kept playing. The second time, the ball hit me in the lower gut I started to get irked, epically when I didn’t hear any kind of apology or regret for hitting me for the second time in a row. It wasn’t until the third crotch-spike that I got a mumbled “diddant mean to spike it at you.” Ok, yeah, whatever thanks for saying that, AFTER you’ve already damaged my internal organs.
I wish there was a little more kindness and compassion in this world, or even just our hallways. Manners would do wonders in Oakcrest and the world. Imagine someone holding a door open for you when your hands are full, instead of him or her letting it slam in your face. What if the hallways didn’t sound like a prison yard?
Even if manners isn’t possible, how about some respect for the fellow man. Can’t someone enjoy spirit week without fear of harassment? Don’t teachers deserve appreciation and not retaliation? I do what I can to be respectful. I never talk back. I would never start a fight. If someone knocks into me in the hallway, I keep walking. I hold doors open, I use an inside voice, and I have great respect my elders. Tackling the issue of respect at Oakcrest is an immense job. Manners and respect are traits that take a lifetime to learn. When we’re young we learn pretty please’s and thank you’s. As we go grow older, our parents and other authority figures lead by example in our growth. A person can’t wake up and all of a sudden be gracious and civil. These qualities take time to develop, any shorter and they wouldn’t truly be effective.
Abby-
If I could have the people above to strip themselves of the money they wish to obtain, the goals they seek, the jobs they strive for, and the people they try to impress, (which inevitably includes all of us), I would ask them what kind of people they are.
That incredibly profound thought. So often we base who we are on what we have done or hope to do. Taking away accomplishments and agendas lifts the veil and reveals the true character of a person. That line made me think of this question: if a person doesn’t have their sport/activity, friends, material things, and objectives, what or who would they be?
Jani!
I loved your rephrased Ghandi quote. haha It gets the point across:)
Jordan:
Um....okay so at first when I read your blog I was like "yup" cause I hate the government and individuals. However, as I got further into it, I must say that certain things you thought pissed me off. First, I think you expect too much from people. We're human, which means, connotation: we mess up...often...and the world as we know it, is not going to get much better than it is now. Can anyone really think of a specific time in history when everything was perfect and everyone was doing things our of selflessness? I understand that people are rotten scum and we should be finding cures that will actually be afordable and reasonable by the 'everyday person', but can you really expect this from our human race. We aren't going to have a magical intervention one day that at the wave of a wand makes everyone selfless and not 'lessers'. People are people, and I think learning to live with what we have is the only way to get things done. I think it's called tolerance.
:)
@Sarah: The movie gives the same basic plot, but Alan Moore was furious at the director of the movie, and for good reason. V for Vendetta is a pretty good movie. The book is a masterpiece. Read it.
Oh my god Caitlin, I feel so bad for you. It's so messed up that people mocked you for showing school spirit. I thought your outfit rocked, but I know how it feels like to be mocked for dressing up for a theme. Freshman year, I dressed up for eighties day. And, well, I don't really want to get into the occurences of that day, but suffice it to say that it did not end well.
Also, I would have hit that spiking-guy in the face. Mucho props to your self-control in that situation.
Many things have always been subject to change that we can see day in and day out in the face of humanity, or you can even see it in the course of history. EVERYTHING has hit a point of change. The Roman Empire: monarch, screams of republic, republic, then hails to Caesar, then well, a bunch of idiot barbarians running around. Just one example of change. Something that has to happen, and for that matter will happen no matter what. In everything.
And there is so much that needs to be changed in this world. Not just large things, like the Roman Empire, but even on the most “basic” level. The world today is just filled with so many things that you could see “wrong” that the list is almost infinite for anyone of any opinion. Some will argue about the progression of the economy has so tremendously felt a back drop we need to find a new method of fixing it. Some think we need to change our policy on Iraq...we'll almost everyone thinks we need to change our policy on Iraq. Some even think that we need to change our perspective and amount of attention we give to stupid celebrities who just smoke weed and do nothing except fuck things up, like
Paris Hilton. Paris Hilton needs to change because....she's a whore. But I'm not going to get into my opinion on that stupid, spoiled, bratty, ignorant, arrogant, retarded hoe.
When it comes down to it, I really just want to see a few things changed. Their large in comparision of other issues but large in the grand scheme. Personally, I would like to see our generations fucking attitude change about, well, anything. Now I'm not going to go off that we should start acting another way or we should be doing this and stop acting like trick-ass, mark-ass jerks. Hell, I know the line between respect(one thing we should change) and, I guess, humor exist, but I have no idea where the hell it starts or ends, or when I cross it. I'd be a hypocrite, which according to Dante, I'd end up in the Eight inner-most ring of hell(wow, that was a surprisingly intellectual thing for me to talk about, actually pretty nerdy[Meagan Reese would love Inferno because it's so damn gruesome and disturbing]). Following the fact above, I also don't want to get into it because it relatively falls in line with my speech topic, so I'll leave it vague.
But seriously, we have got to change something. I mean even us AP kids, whom are for some idiot reason considered the “upper branch” of our generation have got a bad rep as far as “intelligent” kids go. Can it just be that the other generations aren't use to such a boisterous and crazy generation? Maybe. But almost everyone here can point out the arrogance of our generation; just walk down the hallways and you'll know what I mean. I think something got to change there, and it probably will with time. I mean, there is much I can do about it, or any of us can really do, other than try to act as respectable as possible and try to sway others. Hopefully, we will change with everything else in time.
Many things have always been subject to change that we can see day in and day out in the face of humanity, or you can even see it in the course of history. EVERYTHING has hit a point of change. The Roman Empire: monarch, screams of republic, republic, then hails to Caesar, then well, a bunch of idiot barbarians running around. Just one example of change. Something that has to happen, and for that matter will happen no matter what. In everything.
And there is so much that needs to be changed in this world. Not just large things, like the Roman Empire, but even on the most “basic” level. The world today is just filled with so many things that you could see “wrong” that the list is almost infinite for anyone of any opinion. Some will argue about the progression of the economy has so tremendously felt a back drop we need to find a new method of fixing it. Some think we need to change our policy on Iraq...we'll almost everyone thinks we need to change our policy on Iraq. Some even think that we need to change our perspective and amount of attention we give to stupid celebrities who just smoke weed and do nothing except fuck things up, like
Paris Hilton. Paris Hilton needs to change because....she's a whore. But I'm not going to get into my opinion on that stupid, spoiled, bratty, ignorant, arrogant, retarded hoe.
When it comes down to it, I really just want to see a few things changed. Their large in comparision of other issues but large in the grand scheme. Personally, I would like to see our generations fucking attitude change about, well, anything. Now I'm not going to go off that we should start acting another way or we should be doing this and stop acting like trick-ass, mark-ass jerks. Hell, I know the line between respect(one thing we should change) and, I guess, humor exist, but I have no idea where the hell it starts or ends, or when I cross it. I'd be a hypocrite, which according to Dante, I'd end up in the Eight inner-most ring of hell(wow, that was a surprisingly intellectual thing for me to talk about, actually pretty nerdy[Meagan Reese would love Inferno because it's so damn gruesome and disturbing]). Following the fact above, I also don't want to get into it because it relatively falls in line with my speech topic, so I'll leave it vague.
But seriously, we have got to change something. I mean even us AP kids, whom are for some idiot reason considered the “upper branch” of our generation have got a bad rep as far as “intelligent” kids go. Can it just be that the other generations aren't use to such a boisterous and crazy generation? Maybe. But almost everyone here can point out the arrogance of our generation; just walk down the hallways and you'll know what I mean. I think something got to change there, and it probably will with time. I mean, there is much I can do about it, or any of us can really do, other than try to act as respectable as possible and try to sway others. Hopefully, we will change with everything else in time.
A Change For Me
A change the world must realize is that to achieve anything people must work together. Without this simple action, a single task force, the world will accomplish nothing of importance with permanence. This change must happen for all of the wrongs in the world, from puppy farms to genocide. To work together all people must comprehend and respect each other and themselves. This is a major problem that is seen every day in the halls of Oakcrest, groups obstruction major intersections, that random kid who invites themselves into a volleyball game in gym, or those who talk while F-TV is on and information is being conveyed (effectively or not).
Why?
The world will always have problems. In order to solve these ongoing problems humanity must unite against tyranny, indifference, and oppression. Every voice must have the chance to speak, and be heard by someone. Not every voice may speak, but it must be able to.
How?
This change is not a change that can occur in an instant, or even in a few years. It is a change that must be taught from birth, or very close to it. As much as teachers and other adults make an influence on the lives of children, it is the responsibility of the parent to instruct their offspring on how to work with others and respect all people and things.
Me? Or Others?
This change must occur in all people. I admit that I am guilty of being uncooperative, usually for no good reason. Yet I also see this crime everyday in ordinary occurrences and actions that all put someone down, intentionally or not.
More…
“Never underestimate the potential and power of the human spirit.”
Author Unknown
This quote by an unknown author illustrates the possibilities that abound when people work together and use the uniting theme in human life – the human spirit. This is an indefinable concept, such as love, however it is also a founding principle of existence.
Alison
Comment
Eva B –
Thanks for your blog response, it really spoke to me. I think it resonates on a similar chord as my own response does.
To Linds,
"People think it’s only going to get worse so why bother now. I really wish that it wasn’t the case but I see it all the time. I want people to get excited to do new things, to meet new people."
I agree with you, I think that people need to take action now. Apathy is a problem every generation can be diagnosed with, and it's a dangerous condition. Having said that,I'm pretty lazy myself, but I Know that our generation is going to have to take on some big problems and i'm prepared to act.
Which include jumping five feet in the air, and throwing it down, one handed, totally ‘natch, on the opposing teams. He also liked to show off the super spike, which I was on the receiving end multiple times. The first one caught me off guard and smacked me in the stomach, but I was brushed it off and kept playing. The second time, the ball hit me in the lower gut I started to get irked, epically when I didn’t hear any kind of apology or regret for hitting me for the second time in a row. It wasn’t until the third crotch-spike that I got a mumbled “diddant mean to spike it at you.” Ok, yeah, whatever thanks for saying that, AFTER you’ve already damaged my internal organs.
Cait,
I know how you feel. In gym I am usually targeted as the one to be spiked at, well they're not going to spike it at Tarah or Sarah, so who else is there to pick on?? ME. But today in gym, when a boy tried to spike on me, I jumped up and blocked it on his big fat head...and it felt SOO good. Now I am not afraid of anything coming my way. You should just spike it it his FACE! =)
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.
-Henry David Thoreau
So, after all of that Thoreau and transcendentalism last year, I would like to see the people of the world getting back to nature, and letting go of all the materialistic things that they put before other things that are equally if not more important. I know that I am a very materialistic person, and I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite. So, what I am saying also applies to myself. People don’t realize that all that they need to entertain them is right in their backyard, and by occupying our time with worrying about what new gaming system has come out, or what store is having a sale, they are trying to fill a void in their lives that hasn’t been filled. Many people have felt this. But there are still many people who have never felt this.
Sometimes I get this feeling at soccer games. Not high school soccer where you feel pressure, but good old fashioned weekend South Jersey Girls Soccer. After all that has gone on that week, you arrive at a field, that seems to be formed out of nowhere, surrounded by voulptuious trees with the golden sun breaking through the passing clouds. You breathe in the fresh air, and for a moment, just one moment, you forget about all the drama and stress in your life, and all that’s left is you and nature. One on one, with no interruptions. That is what I believe everybody has the right to feel, it is what every body deserves to feel, at lest one time in their hectic life.
When I went to Boston with my English class and Mr. Costal, we got to go and see Thoreau’s inspiration, and I finally understood what he meant by getting back to nature. I actually got to walk in his footsteps……….kind of. =) Seeing that lake was so inspiring, and I really think that it will remain one of my greatest memories of all time.
I think that I would go about this by having a day of complete nothingness for all of the people in the world. All electricity would be shut off. All gas stations closed. All people off from work. I would give them a chance to just hit the pause button on the remote of their lives, and reflect. Who knows, maybe somebody will do something amazing, like solve world hunger or find a cure for AIDS. Also, I would like to impliment a class in high school where you could just go outside and enjoy what is all around us. You wouldn’t be allowed to bring a cell phone or ipod, and you’d have to leave your books behind. I know that there would be people who wouldn’t enjoy it, but I will feel better with myself if I at least got to give the opportunity.
I would LOVE to see this change in myself, along with the people that are around me. This world would be such a better place if people didn’t take for granted what is already in front of them.
For all of those who watch television you may have seen the Pepsi’s newest attempt at trying to sell their poor excuse of a soda. If you have not I will explain. The commercial started off with clips of Bob Dylan in the mid 60’s. When I first saw this I was intrigued. As the commercial drags on they compare Bob Dylan to Will.I.Am. for those of who don’t know he was a member of the black eyed peas. When I first watched this commercial I almost I was appalled. I could not believe that Pepsi had the nerve to compare these two. Now I don’t necessarily have anything against Will.I.Am, because I have never listened to his music. However in no way should he have ever been compared to the entity that was and is. Bob Dylan is an entity and Will.I.Am is a fad that will be forgotten in a few years.
As time passed and I had time to let the Ad soak in I started to wonder what role Bob Dylan played in the making of the commercial. When I initially saw the ad I hoped that he had little to do with it, but as time wore on I knew this was not the case. Slowly it dawned on me that Bob Dylan had changed again. Anyone who is a Dylan fan knows that he changes quite often. While I’m almost sure no one here saw the Bob Dylan movie I’m going to talk about it anyways. In this movie there were five different plot lines. Each was portrayed by a different person. One of which was a small black child and one who was a women. In the movie not one of them was actually named Bob Dylan each had a different name. Each of these “Bob Dylans” represented one of the phases in his long arduous career. I know I’ve been rambling a whole lot and hardly talked about change but here it is. People are constantly changing and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
Most of us fear change, whether it be small or large. As much as some people hate to admit it the world is ever changing. Simply look how far we have come even in the past ten years in terms of technological advances. However with change comes the need for more change. As we all know the planet we call earth is in dire need of some change. In my eyes one of the most important aspects that needs to be improved upon is the people that inhabit this planet. So many of life’s problems could be solved if the human race simply had respect for the world around them. Recently I have been trying my best to be as polite as possible but people just can’t seem to accept it. If people could simply respect those around them there would be peace on earth.
Like most people, the change I would like to see the most would be change in people and the way we act. I just finished reading a book called COMPLAINING, TEASEING AND OTHER ANNOYING BEHAVIORS. The book was not half as interesting as the title sounded, but it did make me realize just how annoying and selfish most people are, and how we tend to bother and annoy others, then accuse them of being rude, and exclude ourselves.. This also led me to realize just how much I hated certain behaviors, and lack of mannerisms people exhibit.
I’d like to see a change in some people and the way they tend to act. I would like to see people act more civilly, and with more etiquette and respect for themselves and others. The main thing that has always bothered me is people's inability to act civilized in most situations. Caitlin said in her blog that because she showed school spirit and dressed up, some people just HAD to go and make rude remarks when it wasn’t their place. Things like that drive me crazy because I can never understand how some people can get themselves to say and do certain things.
I think if people were more aware of their behaviors, rather than just judging others on theirs, it would make the whole state, country, world or whatever have you an easier and more social place to live. If people were civilized and rational, then we would interact more freely and respectfully to each other.
I guess I can't really change the way most people are/act. I can walk around and demonstrate proper behavior and acts of subtle kindness and when people see it, they might like the idea of it and try it themselves. By saying this, I’m not in any way implying that I possess all of the said traits and that I am perfect or better than anyone, because I’m not at all. I fall in to the same category as everyone else. I just think that even if we are not being ourselves when we demonstrate common proper behavior, we should do it anyway to encourage others to do the same, and spread politeness around a little. Everybody likes to see a little act of kindness during their day, and no one likes to be talked to rudely when they have done nothing wrong. We all know that one subtle wrong action or a couple of insensitive words from another person can ruin our perfectly good day in a matter of seconds.
This would definitely be something I'd like to change in others as well as myself. We all have to teach and encourage each other to act the way we want everyone to act.
“she says, "if i leave before you, darling
don't you waste me in the ground"
I lay smiling like our sleeping children
one of us will die inside these arms
eyes wide open, naked as we came
one will spread our ashes around the yard”
- Iron & Wine
Change. You literally can’t live without it. The human race exists to this day thanks to our remarkable ability to adapt. Change is something I have always embraced. It’s really predictable of me, since it sort of fits in with the conformity of the nonconformist attitude I seem to have adopted. (Oh! The irony!)
A recent change we humans have made in the last millennium or so is a decision to defy nature. We no longer believe ourselves to be subject to natural selection. We defy it with doctors and medicine. We defy it with special education. But we don’t defy it with the competitive nature of our social systems. This is what needs to change. If we’re going to be so arrogant as to defy the defining rule of nature, we’d best be resolute about it.
But we’re not. It’s simple as that. When we make life into a competition, we’re adding natural selection back into the equation. Either it’s in full force, or out entirely. We can’t have it just in there all half-assed. So we’ve got to start accepting people for what they are. Rather, we’ve
Now, I could sit here all day preaching acceptance and never get a single one of you to even consider making the change. Why? We have all become too forgiving…to ourselves. I’m not talking about how you let yourself get away with an F on your report card. That means nothing to me. I’m talking about how we stand around in gym making fun of the kids who fail at volleyball. I’m talking about how you renamed the mighty Lightning Tiger.
Caitlin, I know what it's like. Trust me, I do. Contrary to what Bunje may think, I've dressed up in some pretty weird outfits. When people call me a faggot, freak, idiot, fucktard, etc, it makes me happy, because I know that I just made them feel a bit more normal.
This is something you must embrace if you want to show your spirit.
Unlike Bunje says, we're not the same as them, so they just don't understand. And they're going to hate on things they don't understand.
BTW, Bunje, we're not cool. For anyone who doesn't know, Bunje called me a 15 year-old giggling teenage girl. From anyone else, it'd be dismissable fodder. But from a teacher who supposedly "loves" her students, it hurts. Even though her criticism has no base, it hurts.
Jon,
First, if you need clarification on the intention or even the meaning of what I said, and clearly you do, you should ask me in a much different forum.
So you know, I opted not to take your incredibly offensive and rude comment down, because I am not in the least bit ashamed or even duly contrite about what I said. And if you had truly been listening, you would know there is no reason for me to be.
Despite your best intentions, anyone who knows me knows a phrase like "supposedly" 'loves' her students" is simply a shoddy attempt to disparage my integrity, and one which I do not appreciate.
Please do not perpetuate the rampant hypocrisy that you claim exists in the world with making your own accusations that, in your own words, have no base.
On a happier note, happy Valentines day everyone. Unless you, like me, are having a depressing, morose Valentines day, in which case I hope your angry/depressed passion motivates you to have a more fulfilling day than I have.
Jonathan,
You've crossed a line.
There will be repercussions. See me before your class Tuesday.
Ms. Bunje
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