HH(which stands for His Holiness),the 14th Dalai Lama (and my favorite, to date) once said, "The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world."
I am not sure where I heard or read that, most likely in a liturgy at Temple or any one of a thousand (hyperbole) books on HH, but I think about that particular notion quite a bit. It goes along the same lines as that age-old query, "Why am I here?" I suppose, but when I think of my contributions to the world and what I can do to be a part of the sum total of beauty and prosperity, only two things ever come to mind. One, of course, is you. Collectively.
I teach. That's something I can do because in so doing, I am afforded the opportunity to, hopefully, broaden minds and open hearts. It is my hope, that this will, in turn, allow you to do the same things with whomever is lucky enough to come in contact with you as you dance through your time on Earth. I don't know if this actually qualifies as a legacy, because that seems like a pretty bold statement, but it's really all I have. There is that second thing, but it seems silly and I am not sure I want to talk about it and risk being mocked!
So, I ask...what do you do? What will you do? Do you believe in HH's idea about contribution? Does it make sense but seem impossible? Does it seem like a bunch of nonsense? What has been your greatest contribution so far? Don't say nothing or start wailing, "I'm only a teenager--I haven't done anything yet!" because that is a total cop-out. Think about all the people you have known, both superficially and deeply, and imagine how many more you have impacted in ways you might not even know yet. What will your legacy be? And more importantly, what do you WANT it to be?
(450-500 words/75pts)
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85 comments:
Firstly, I for one want to know what the second thing is. I promise no mockery will come from this corner of the blog. <3
Secondly, I have spent more time contemplating this than I can say. Although what I plan to do in the future is a more thought out, I'll start with what I do now.
I do two things, currently, to spread my own version of beauty to the world. The first is I'm a big sister. Although I'm out a lot, I think I set a pretty good example, and my siblings all know I'm here for them if they need it. But my siblings are not the extent of my bigsistering, as Lauren Elkins likes to call it. Most of my friends are my friends because at some point I was a big sister/mother for them. It's an unfortunate occupation, because the minute they no longer need a mother or a mentor or a shoulder, I'm obsolete, but somebody has to do it. And only occasionally does it bother me that the somebody I refer to is me. Most of the time I happily accept this position though, as my way of contributing to those around me. This summer I plan on broadening that scope by joining big brother big sister and reaching out beyond my circle of acquaintances. I'll discuss that further in a minute though. My second is the need to entertain people. See, people find their way to the stage for all sorts of reasons. For some, it's the attention. Others flock to it for an outlet. But for me, I do it to entertain. To bring joy or just interruption to people’s daily lives is what I devote long hours to our auditorium for, and why I pretty much have no life.
As for my future, this goes largely back to both of the temporary ones. Beginning with the big sister one: I do not ever plan to have biological children. I do, however, plan to adopt, and adopt a lot. When people ask why I say it's because I feel like my family has contributed to over population enough, to pass it off as a joke instead of insanity, but I'm serious. If things work out like I plan, I'll get a stable job between 25 and 30, and after having had my fun- traveling the world, possibly dancing on Broadway, etc- and then start adopting kids between the ages of like, 7 and 14. I'll try to provide them with a nurturing environment and teach them life skills that will help them succeed in the world. And after they've grown up to become productive adults, I'll welcome another child into my house. I decided forever ago that I will never have more than two or three kids in the house at a time because I feel past that you begin neglecting somebody, and I don't want any child to feel neglect on my behalf. In fact, I'd most prefer that no child ever feel neglect, but you know how it is. Beyond that, applying my need to entertain to my daily lifestyle, as I mentioned, I plan on auditioning for a musical ensemble on Broadway at least once, and eventually plan to teach dance or drama in a high school, allowing me to help the children of America in an entirely different way: by providing them with an outlet. Theatre arts are some of the easiest ways to express yourself and let out how you feel and who you are, with no apologies, no regrets. And school is a great place to find this source of expression, where you don't have to pay for lessons or be amazing in order to follow your muse. Hence, my future serving the youth of America.
As you can see from the immense amount of thought put into this, I fully concur with what His Holiness said. It makes sense and seems not only utterly possible, but it seems as though it is impossible for it to be impossible. Without purpose, without a contribution for the world, why would a being continue to move? And yet they do, all over the world, billions of beings moving with or without knowledge of their donation to humanity. They only have yet to find it.
Oh, by the way, that's the first time I've gotten first post, either full or fake. WOO! :]
I suppose I’ll do one of those two parters. No sense in rushing things.
Hmm… Eat lunch or work on the blog? Well, I had breakfast today, which is rare. Who needs lunch? I gotta get as much work done at school as possible NOW, because my home has turned into a mini gamer’s-paradise. Two AAA list titles from gamefly for my X-Box, Pokemon Platinum for the DS… I’m going to be busy for a while. Me = Glee.
But for right now, it is time to answer the blog. I can feel the waves of negativity swelling in a storm of teenage angst. Seriously bad vibes. I’ll get to them in a moment, however.
At the moment, I don’t do much of consequence. Mostly, I play the games, which only really makes me happy. I also make jokes, I suppose. That makes people happy. I also eat foods that are likely to give me diabetes and end me before fifty. That’s pretty fun.
As for what I will do, that’s even harder. I haven’t decided what to do with my life. I’m looking into dentistry, so I suppose I can look forward to making people’s teeth whiter if I continue with that. I suppose I’d also like to research autism, which I find interesting, but I’m not sure if I could do that my entire life. I’m pretty sure I will continue to play the games. That’s the only thing I can be sure of.
As for that swell of negativity I promised you, it’s related to the Dalai Lama. (Who I prefer to think of as an anthropomorphic Jolly Llama. ‘Makes me happier.) I expect many people are thinking the same thing as me. He’s right, in a sense. Every person or creature dropped onto this earth changes it in ways nobody could imagine. The problem I have with the statement is that I don’t believe that every person contributes beauty and prosperity. I can’t help but think of all of the greedy business leaders who put the world into this recession, all of the carnivorous creatures who kill their prey in the most horrible ways imaginable, and every child that dies shortly after birth as if they were conceived only to torment their own parents. It’s ugly and bleary, and it gets far too much thought compared to all of the people and animals that make life better, but it’s what I consider when looking at the quote. I checked my data banks for information that may lead to the proof of the Dalai Lama’s statement, and found it false.
Hm…I’m going to try not to procrastinate on this blog because I know that if I take too much time to think through my answers, it will just come out all wrong. So, here goes nothing…
I am an artist. I like to draw and produce images that, unfortunately, never satisfy me. I love the sense of adventure when my bright yellow pencil softly taps against the blank white page before me. It’s a pleasant, excited feeling. I start to form faces, bodies, expressions, details, with every stroke to try and attempt to reproduce an image I see within the confines of my mind. That is always the most difficult task of all. One mistake, two mistakes, three mistakes…I can never draw that perfect picture I had seen in my head. Never, never, never…this is a disappointment yet again. However, these pictures I draw, I always get comments about them.
“I like this one.”
“This one makes me sad.”
“I love how you drew this one.”
Always, always, always, it is a pretty little thing to look at. I give them away with a smile, satisfied that it has some use in this world when it has none in my own. If people believe that that is beauty, so be it, take it. But I wonder why they never ask the reason behind the picture. Why they never ask:
“Why is she sad?”
“What inspired this picture?”
“What is the story behind this one?”
“Do you feel like that is a part of you?”
Questions that could potentially spark something in a conversation, but of course, now I’m getting off topic, so let’s get back to answering this thing.
I am an artist, and I love to draw people. People are fascinating as they are all different regardless of what appears to make them the same. However, I’ve found that everyone’s natural color is the smile that graces the face, whether for love or accomplishment, after hearing a funny joke or being tickled, that smile that appears out of nowhere is the shade of a person that appears most natural. I love to see people smile. Therefore, I like to make people smile. (What do you do?) I try to make people’s days a little better by giving them hugs and listening to them when they need me. I’m not perfect, of course, and I have my bad days, but I try nonetheless. Hopefully, I do end up making the world a little happier for someone.
What will I do?
I will smile, of course. Smiles are contagious. If you’re not careful, the moment you see the person next to you smile, you start smiling yourself! It’s highly infectious!!! Now you know my evil plan to rule the world with the power of smiles!!! (Laughter is even more dangerous!!! Be careful, my fellow AP Langers!!!)
I have always been a believer in the whole “everyone-has-a-purpose” philosophy so I’ve got to say, yep, I do believe in His Holiness’s idea about contribution. It makes sense after all. A plant needs the sun to live (as well as water), the mice eat the plants, the birds eat the mice, the bigger birds eat the birds, the people eat those bigger birds (maybe), the people die, the earthworms eat us and give the plants nutrients, the plants go do their thing again. That was definitely a bad example… But it illustrates the purpose of prey, kind of, right?
A better example would be with the bees. They cross pollinate the flowers when they get the pollen from one flower and steps into another to collect theirs. No matter what, even the smallest things have a purpose. That one stroke mark over there on the right will become the face, that little black dot will before the eye, the soft waves will become the fingers. Every mark on the paper has its purpose. I believe that having a purpose is the only way to keep us from going insane. They give you reason to continue living your life. For some, it could be their children’s welfare. For others, it could be to live a good life. If it weren’t for that “purpose”, a lot of people would give up and just run amuck. It’d be pretty chaotic.
My greatest contribution?
I’ve taught my best friends from Galloway how to draw and they can now spread their ideas. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I believe that pictures are the greatest tools of expression as you can see it, the details that take many lines to describe. They can spread their own emotions and beauty throughout the world. I feel that is the only real contribution I have made so far.
00OOOoooooOOO000h! My legacy?
Hm….
My legacy will be that I have survived life till its end and have died satisfied with my life, most likely. I don’t really think I will be able to do much in this world…so that’s a safe answer.
I want my legacy to be that I have been able to change the world a little for the better. If I can spread more smiles around the world and work my way from there, I’m sure I’ll be able to do something about all this hate and violence and war tearing apart countries. Those sad eyes of the victims of war and violence, they tell stories and they should be heard. Pictures…they are supposed to invoke questions…:
“Why is she sad?”
“What is the story behind this one?”
“What can we do to change so that these eyes will stop being inflicted on everyone and everything?”
El Fin.
I'm tired... Imma comment tomorrow! Night, night!!!
Alice:
"I will smile, of course. Smiles are contagious. If you’re not careful, the moment you see the person next to you smile, you start smiling yourself! It’s highly infectious!!! Now you know my evil plan to rule the world with the power of smiles!!!"
-Haha, Alice, this part of your blog made me crack up. Adorable. But also, I really liked your blog and how you try and influence people through your artwork. I am really short on words today so that's it:)
Now time for another edge-of-your-pants, seatwetting adventure-packed actionsode of Brendan responding to the blog.
I can skip this next question, as I’m a teenager, so I obviously haven’t done anything yet.
…
Ack. Caught. Alright, alright, fine. What has been my greatest contribution to the world? It’s a hard question. I haven’t done any really good things. I’ve never talked a friend out of suicide, created art that inspired someone, or even done any large amount of charity work. I guess the greatest thing I’ve done with my life so far wasn’t even on purpose. In a sense, I gave my father a second chance. Let’s try to keep what I’m about to say in the blog and not take it out, okay? Both of my parents have been married before they met. This was no problem for my mom. From what I gather, she married a man, they eventually mutually decided that while they liked each other, it was a mistake, and that they weren’t really in love. No kids, no problems. However, my dad had three children with his previous wife. Two boys and a girl. Sadly, the divorce happened while they were still children. Two of them stayed with his ex-wife, and he hasn’t actually seen them since they were small children. The other stayed with my father as he hopped state to state while in the navy, causing him to go to no fewer than ten different schools before dropping out of the very one we go to now. In a sense, in being bright, doing somewhat well in school, etc, I feel I must have given him another chance to be a better father.
Okay, now that that’s over, legacy. So far as I can see, my legacy will probably leave me having been a decent middle-class man who made one woman happy, maybe a kid or two, and made some friends laugh. If I could mold this myself, I think I’d like to have been a decent upper-class man who made one woman happy, maybe a few adopted children, made friends laugh, and made invaluable contributions to charity as well as literature. Oh, and was a world-class gamer his whole life. B-)
I don’t do much I’m not an athlete or a mathlete. But I do love volunteering. I love meeting new people and connecting with them which is why I volunteer in different places every year. Last year it was at the Kessler Hospital. Sadly it closed down this year but its okay because I had a lot of good memories in that place. Anyway my favorite place to volunteer at the hospital was the front desk. I was very shy but all the people who crossed my path always found a way to make me talk. They were mostly old people and I thought I couldn’t stand old people but these were actually nice, funny, and caring. I learned to appreciate them a lot more while I was giving them passes, answering their phone calls, and trying to give them the right directions even though sometimes I can’t even tell my left from my right. But I think the most important thing I did was listen to them. Everyone needs someone to listen to them even when they are making no true sense at all. So I try to listen to people as much as I can because everyone has something important to say even though we might not realize that in the moment.
I will be a pediatrician and mother. I want to help children. I want to let them know that I care and that I will try to make them as physically fit as possible. I know what its like to be sick and it sucks so much. In fact I’m home right now because I’ve had a fever for three days, my throat is sore, and my stupid asthma is acting up. I want to make the experience of being ill as pleasurable as it can be for children so they can go back to their life of nonstop playing. They only have a short time to be children so they should enjoy every second of it. I want to be a mother because I love kids. I think they are amazing little people who are so carefree and they will make me a better person. I will try to nurture them into awesome people but they are going to be weird which to me is still awesome. I just want to spread the love you know and hopefully they will do the same.
Do I believe that everyone and everything living contributes to the beauty and prosperity in the world? Yes I do its entirely possible and makes complete sense. Everyone has a purpose in this world whether it may be to make delicate beautifully designed webs to serving justice to a crime in court. People and animals just need to find their purpose and when they do, use it with the right intentions.
Bye!
Fiona,
I liked your blog especially the last couple of sentences.
" Without purpose, without a contribution for the world, why would a being continue to move? And yet they do, all over the world, billions of beings moving with or without knowledge of their donation to humanity. They only have yet to find it."
It was very simple yet thought out. It was a nice way to end a great blog. Good job =)
Today I was scheduling my classes, and my guidance counselor asked me what I wanted to do. And I immediately thought back to this blog. It is scaring to think that in four years, which will fly by as quickly has high school has, I will be a junior in college, thinking about what I will be doing for the rest of my life.
What do I do:
Wake up. Go to school. Go to swimming. Go home. Eat. Sleep. Within this mundane routine of a day, I know I impact someone. Somehow, I must. I am a student, a daughter, a friend, a swimmer. I believe that I make everyone else’s day a little bit easier. I think my sarcastic tone and my funny comments put a smile on someone’s face, even if for a second. I think that I what I do, I make people smile. Just a simple smile, or a chuckle, can take the stress of someone’s day away for that split second.
I am around my teammates for a total of 20 hours per week. We see each other at our lowest points, and at our proudest moments. I have this one girl on my team, Greta. She is the funniest and sweetest person ever. She swims distance with me, and during every set, she gets her teammates motivated. Like practice today, we were doing pace, and it was hard. At the point where I was going to give up, she whispered to me, “you got this, mol. ELEPHANT!” and although, you don’t understand the elephant part of it, she made me smile, and got me pumped to finish the set. I want to have the same impact on others that she has on me. I want to be able to take away someone’s pain, emotionally or physically, just for a split second. I think I do, at least I hope I do.
What will I do:
See, this year has crushed all hopes of mine as far as my future goes. As I am slowly but steadily bringing my grade up in chemistry, I realize that majoring in chemistry is going to be difficult in college. But it is something that I really want to do. My cousin was a biology major, and he is working for a drug company in Philadelphia creating different types of medicine in the lab. And I find that fascinating. I want to be able to go to work every day, knowing that my research and hard work is helping millions of people all over the world get better. And if that means working in a lab, or working in the public health field, I want to do that. I want that sense of accomplishment at the end of every day. It may seem like such a big dream, but I want the ability to cure. I don’t want to be a doctor, but I want to do the research and development that it takes to find those cures. I picture myself doing case studies and curing a little girl, giving her life back to her, giving her hope that she will live. That is what I want to do, I want to cure.
HH:
I believe it. It kind of reminds me of, ‘everything happens for a reason.’ We are all put on this earth to do something, to help someone. And once you think about it, it makes sense. Every person has value, no one is useless. We all change someone else’s life, for the better or the worse. But we affect everyone around us. Even if we don’t realize it, the actions we take, the things we say, affect the people around us. God doesn’t create useless people; everyone is her for a purpose. WE just have to find out what our purpose is.
Legacy:
What do I want my legacy to be?
I want die knowing that I was that one special person to someone, I was that one person that they could talk to, confide in. Can that be my legacy? I would be satisfied with one person coming to my funeral, but that special person would mean the world to me. I want to be known as ‘the one’ to someone. Not necessarily in the romantic way, but in the friendship way. Friendship is such a valuable bond, that I don’t think that teenagers truly understand. I want to be the very best friend to someone.
What will my legacy be?
Although I will never actually know what I will go down in history as, but if I had to guess, I would say that my legacy will be that I positively affect the people around me. Whether it is my ability to cure, to make people smile, or to listen to my best friend, I will allow people to succeed.
I know this all doesn’t make sense, but I get it. I think.
I first want to say that I agree with the statement made by the Dalai Lama, but only to a certain extent. What I believe is that everyone has the potential to impact the world for the better and contribute to the creation of peace and beauty and serenity, but that doesn't mean they will. I believe in a little thing called "the free agency of man" which can really throw a monkey wrench into the cosmic plans of the Universe. Man can be great, animals can be great, but only if they strive to be so. I can write the next greatest book that will inspire millions to move forward in life. I could cure cancer. Or I could simply hang around my house all day, eat nachos and die as a fat, greasy slob. It's all up to me in the end. So I would say that we all have the potential, but that doesn't mean that we ultimately do.
Now we must move on to the harder part: discovering what the hell Myra has actually done to the world that has resulted in something pleasant. Notice that I do not say 'good' or 'great,' but merely pleasant; we are striving for 'pleasant' here people, Myra does not like the idea of making her goals too high only to realize that she has done jack crap for society in whole or in part thus making her life pointless and no longer worth living. So let's think of a few things, shall we?
HMMMMMM....
I got nothing so far (lolz!) That's a lie.
My legacy (or impact or what have you) thus far has not been on people that you'd all generally know, but rather on the people in my church. For those of you that don't know it already, I am- in fact- a Mormon. Well, I prefer member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or just LDS, but a mormon is a mormon no matter how you ice your cupcake. I believe that my role in this section of my life is to instill some sense of reality into those that are also members.
Unlike the majority of those that are members of the stake I go to, I wasn't brought up and raised as a mormon (I mean, sure my mom has been one her entire life, but my Dad's a methodist who spends his Sundays sitting in the garage, drinking beer and making fun of or cursing at the evangelical preachers on TV. Not the typical Mormon childhood.) I had a basic background on God (you know, the world 'creator of the universe' bit we've all heard once or twice) but I never really put much attention into the whole "God" thing when I was growing up: I lied, stole, cursed, ran away from home a few times, and, though I was never really that much of a trouble maker compared to my siblings, I wasn't the greatest child in the world. I certainly wasn't Mormon anyway. But I am now so whatever.
When I first joined in the seventh grade (a.k.a got baptized) I had a really hard time adjusting to this new world I finally found myself immersed in, one of every one always seeming happy and good natured and full of cupcakes and jello and scrap-booking. I have always been a rather sarcastic and cynical person so my personality and view on life was practically a 180 from what I saw around me. I had no friends in church and refused to talk to anyone that seemed too happy for their own good (or seemed to be faking happy. I hate fake-happy people, they bug me. Always have and always will. And mormons are a whole lot of happy.) This kept going for about two years and then I entered High school and finally decided one day that I had had quite enough.
I can't remember what the lesson had been on in Sunday school (or was it Young Women's?) but it had really made my blood boil. Oh yeah, it had been on who we should and shouldn't associate with and have as friends. This little girl named Courtney was all crying about how hard school was for her since she didn't have anyone that shared her beliefs where she went and everyone was so wicked where she was (apparently she was raised that mormons hung out with mormons or with people that were close to mormon-ish.) While everyone else was busy trying to comfort her, I had had enough of this nonsense. I don't think anyone who knows me will be surprised with what happened next. I got up from my chair, looked the group of girls over and snapped the door open so it got their attention. I strictly remember what I said next: "For a group of girls that pride themselves on being the most accepting people on Earth and being God's select daughters, you are the largest pack of bottom-feeding hypocrites I have ever seen!" And with that I promptly left the room and went outside for the rest of church till I had to go home.
Apparently what I said had really hit home with these girls because next Sunday they were all trying to talk to me, asking me what I meant when I had said it. So now it was my time to share: I talked about what they had said yesterday and who the teachers had been describing as "unfit" to be with, stating that people like that were actually some of my closest friends and that I was someone that would fall into the category of avoidance. The girls were generally shocked and needless to say I have never been silent since.
I act as the dose of reality that so many mormons seem to lack, that acceptance that they just weren't raised with in their happy world of sunshine, rainbows, cupcakes, and puppies. I let them know that if the world was really like that the ground would bark every time you stepped down and that if wishes were horses we would all be riding unicorns to school. I've kept my cynical outlook and sarcastic nature because it's what they need: the shadow to their sunshine and the occasional bee sting in their jar of honey and they seem to enjoy it just fine. In fact, ever since my out burst, a lot more people come to talk to me and ask me for advice and opinions on matters they originally thought no one would really understand. I talk about school and music and have actually explained why I don't mind it when I hear people curse or will go out to see that rated R movie (if you're mormon, R is off limits and PG-13 is a little iffy.) I talk about my friends and how I can easily deal with living in a world that conflicts with my personal beliefs and not mind it one bit. I let them know that you can be openly mormon (ha ha ha, openly mormon! XD) and that people will accept you for it and that people don't have to believe the same stuff you do to be your best friend.
So for now that is my purpose and it's a good one for me at least (I doubt many others would agree with me, but whatever!)
As for my goal in the future, I don't know. I sort of like what I do now so I'm hoping that I will be able to do it later on in life too. Perhaps I'll write a book or two, maybe spend some time traveling the globe, teach a little bit here and there. I have no really solid goals right now. I'm currently just trying to roll with the punches and expand my view on things as a whole. That would be good for me I think.
I want to be a person that is known to have left the world a better place then when she found it.
._.
Yeah, that was a load of bull pocky. I want to be known as that crazy old lady with too many cats that just wouldn't die.
I think that sounds a little more like me, dunnit? =P
...
Fiona: yeah, you really are more of the nurturing type (definitely more so than me, I fear for my children) so the big brothers big sister ting is no real surprise. But just as a question: just how many kids do you think you' ll end up adopting if you just keep getting a new one every time one leaves the nest? Just wondering is all.
Alice: you make me smile, you know that? But I think that yawning is slightly more contagious than smiles or laughter, what do you think? Oh, and JSYK: What's this picture about? (lolz =^w^= kitty!)
Brendan: anthropomorphic Jolly Llama! LOL! that does make people happy! XD
Fiona:
“But for me, I do it to entertain. To bring joy or just interruption to people’s daily lives is what I devote long hours to our auditorium for, and why I pretty much have no life.”
I loved your blog. And your reason for acting is amazing, so many people join drama for the attention, but not you. Watching you on stage was amazing, and you do bring a smile to my face when I watch each and every play. I loved your blog! And I love that you want to adopt children, I can see you being the coolest, hippest mom ever!
To Fiona:
Mah! That was great! You're my newest idol (I've got a whole ton!!! ^_^ Just throwing this out there, Maegan, you're my idol too!!! You're cool the way you are!!! No hating on humanity too much, we're cool! ^____^)!!! I really like how you plan on spreading the love to those unfortunate to have been either abandoned because of money or because of an abusive environment. If it is you, I'm sure you will be the greatest nurturing and loving mother they'll ever have in this lifetime and the next. You're just a wonderful person!!!
Also, I really like how you applied theater arts to contributing to children because I wholeheartedly agree that it is an outlet that some child need in their life. I'm sure you'll be on Broadway soon enough!! You're amazingly talented!!!
As you can see from the immense amount of thought put into this, I fully concur with what His Holiness said. It makes sense and seems not only utterly possible, but it seems as though it is impossible for it to be impossible. Without purpose, without a contribution for the world, why would a being continue to move? And yet they do, all over the world, billions of beings moving with or without knowledge of their donation to humanity. They only have yet to find it.
This was the "POW!" in your comment! I loved it! Your use of rhetorical questions really left the other side at a lost of words. Go HH and Fiona! Go rock the world (don't forget to spread smiles while you're doing that!!!)!
I don't do much volunteer work. I don't tutor people on my weekends. I don't do much for others, at all. I'm an athlete, but I feel that the lessons I learn from being that are for my own benefit. I'm a friend to some, but then again I don't think I'm very good at that. I'm a daughter and a sister, but I sure as hell know I fall below par on those standards. I love animals, and I really think that's one of the only things I'm good at that allows me to affect something's life. But overall, my contributions so far in this world haven't been much.
Now, I like to believe that I’m aware, whether it is of my surroundings, of people’s feelings, of my own feelings, or of the tragedies going on in our world. I think and I listen. Because of this, I’d like to say that I’m far from naïve. Realistic is a trait that I strive to possess. So what do I do? I continuously educate myself. Not in the scholastic sense, of course that’s already a given because I’m in school. But I like to learn of human nature, emotions, impulses, and corruption by experiencing, listening, and observing. What I want to obtain from all this is truth and answers. I always want answers that cannot be given to me. I always want to know the facts, no matter how gruesome or heart-wrenching they are. If people can’t give me what I want to know, I need to find out my own way or else I feel like something’s missing. Something just doesn’t feel complete unless I have answers. Just one example of my annoyingly obsessive questioning would be the avoidance and death stares that my Calculus teacher gives me because she can’t answer any of my questions and it makes her look like an idiot, but that’s another story. But that’s what I do: observe, listen, question, learn. All of that just to become more aware and realistic. This is not to say that I’m never irrational in my thoughts. I’m only almost 17 years old, there are plenty of things in this world that are beyond my comprehension at this time, and plenty of naïve ideas still floating about in my mind. But that’s part of my answer of what I will do, I want to rid myself of as many of those ideas as possible. Without them, I’ll be capable of teaching others I encounter on my life’s journey of my vision of our world.
As a future Veterinarian, it may not seem like I’ll have a lot to offer to people, nor will I be able to teach. In my personal opinion, I think helping and saving animals is a much more worth-while objective, probably because I don't really believe humans deserve the help. But even my future occupation doesn't exactly reflect what I will do when I'm older. I figure I’ll become wiser as the years go by. The wiser I become, the more I have to offer. I’m with Fiona on that I do not plan on having biological children. I would never trust myself with crying infants—my temper fuse is very short. But adopting is an option I’d definitely consider, and I feel that I can thrust upon my children the very thoughts that I’ll believe need to be passed down to the future generations. As for now, I’m not sure exactly what thoughts they may be, but I know they will be truths to prevent naivety.
"The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world." I completely agree with this idea, surprisingly. But this is only because I do not view “beauty” and “prosperity” as many others may. To me, killing, hatred, and corruption are part of the beauty and prosperity of our world. They make it an awful place to live, a scary place to live. But without them, our world would be useless, boring, and even more frightening. A utopic society? No thanks. I think every contribution to our world, good or bad (perception, of course), is essential for us to advance in life. We have to be faced with problems because we need challenges to keep us active intellectually and emotionally. So no matter what someone or something offers in their lifetime, it's always meaningful.
My contribution to the world so far… I think it has a lot to do with what I do. I try to make people aware. Whether it be lecturing a class on animal cruelty, or correcting my dad about our country's current economic crisis, or informing my friend of how lazy our world is becoming and how much it will affect us, I'm constantly learning to teach others and myself. I'm sure something I've said has affected someone at some point in time. I'm not trying to come off as cocky or say that I know everything in the world. I'll be the first to admit that I have a hard time understanding most things and am quite clueless at times. Another contribution is not being afraid to show my compassion toward animals, in hope that others will follow. I feel like at 16, I've made plenty of animals feel loved, welcome, and helped them live happy lives.
I honestly think my legacy will have something to do with my contribution to animals. As much as I'd like to think I'll become some amazing philosopher when I'm older, the chances of that happening aren't very promising. But I know my love for animals will never end, and I'd sacrifice a lot just to help them live better.
What do I do?
Oh, god, what do I do?
Well, I like to think that I bring humor into people's lives; I love a good joke. It's right up there with chocolate and Charmed. And I love it when other people are laughing because of something I did or said, whether I just told an extremely corny joke (example: Why did the tomato blush? Because he saw the salad dressing!), or wore a rediculously over-the-top St. Paddy's Day ensemble. So, I cheer up my friends, and I think that's important.
I also take care of my little siblings, and though I'm not an awesomely amazing big-sister-to-all like Fiona, I am a good big sister to them. Make them food and nurse their boo-boo's and whatnot.
I also take care of my sweet little shih tzu Frazier. This is important because Frazier is absolutely 160% THE CUTEST DOG IN THE UNIVERSE. Therefore, he must be cared for, walked, played with, and coddled daily or the world might implode. How's that for an important contribution to the world?
What will I do?
Well, to be honest, when I was little, I always dreamed that I would crack some sort of long-lost code, find ancient and extremely historically important treasure, and run around defeating bad guys, a la Indiana Jones. Then again, I also nursed a secret belief that somewhere in my teens I would suddenly develop astounding magical/paranormal abilities. Still waiting on that one.
Seriously, I don't know what I want to do to leave my mark on the world. If I stumble across ancient treasure, well, that would be just wonderful, and if I suddenly find myself able to fly, even better, but for now, I'm keeping my options open. All I know is, when people think of me when I'm gone, I want them to think kind, funny, smart, brave. No matter what I do, specifically, I want people to think of me. I'd prefer they think of me well, but I'll take it if they just remember me as being a little off. So long as they remember me.
I completely agree with the Dalai Lama. Though Brendan has a point when he says that not everybody actls exactly beautiful or prosperous, I would still argue that even these people, in their "own particular way," contribute to the beauty and prosperity of the world. the undeniably bad people contribute by providing a necessary balance, and more importantly, a necessary contrast. Without the bad, how could we recognize and appreciate the good?
Yesterday I sat down eager to start my blog, I wanted to get an early start on my homework since I was doing absolutely nothing on that particular Monday night. As I read the question over and over again, I found myself unable to come up with an answer. No exaggeration, I sat there for at least a half hour or more pondering what I contribute to the world. I decided to sleep on it and maybe the answer would just come to me naturally. As I was aimlessly walking around the mall looking for a white shirt for the NHS induction ceremony, I was whining about this question and asked my friend “What do I contribute to this world?” He looked at me and after giving me a cute little response about how I contribute positively to his life, he said that “Everyone has a purpose in life.” That simple sentence produced a train of thoughts and made me realize that everyone does have a purpose. In my eyes, no one’s life is meaningless despite the way they live their life.
So, everyday I come to school, usually tired and miserable with my ipod in my ears and my eyes barely open. I first go to my best friend’s locker and chat with her, and my mood brightens up immediately. I shake off the feeling of dropping dead at any moment and replace my frown with a smile. I say “Hi” to all my friends I see in the morning and force myself to be awake and to be in a happier mood. I try be kind to everyone, even people I dislike, and I am always smiling and laughing about something. Whenever Britt and I go out somewhere, I am always the outgoing one. I make an effort to say Hi back if someone says Hi to me and am always willing to have a conversation to someone. It is important to exude a more positive attitude rather than look miserable all the time. Everyone is going to have a day when their mood is just overall horrible, and that is completely understandable, but no one should be like that all the time. It just seems unhealthy. I want to be known as someone who is always smiling and happy, not like a jumping all over kind of happy, just a mellow bright spirited kind of person. It is important to give off the right impression, and I think that being a optimistic person makes me more approachable by people. My main contribution to the world at this point in my life is that I try to brighten the moods of others around me and introduce more friendliness into the school and community. Some may have the idea that people in the world are not as warm and welcoming as they should be, so I want to help instill the hope that there are some out there who are still genuine people.
I would like to continue with this positive outlook on life and try to spread it on to others around me through smiling and being friendly. I believe that optimism and happiness is able to be spread from one person to another and that is what I try to do. I try to help others and give advice, so that they are able to see that in life things are not always so bleak and dreary. There is a bright side to everything, yet they just have to reach out and find it. My legacy is that I can pass on positive, bright attitudes to others who may be lost, and in a dark time in their life. I want them to be able to see that life will move on and improve. It is easier to be in a happier mood, than a sad one. Being depressed takes so much stress and anxiety, that once a person achieves happiness it is the best feeling in the world. A few months ago, I read this book called Thirteen Reasons Why and it was about this girl who committed suicide and the book was her telling what led her to come to the solution of ending her life. It was a great example of how everyone’s action do affect someone else and cause a change in the world. The book was depressing, and made me think about people in our school. I wish I could figure out why so many people do decide to commit suicide and I wish I could prevent it from happening. It just makes me so sad to think about what drove them to that miserable point and the desire to just end everything. If I wasn’t so dead set on becoming a television broadcaster, I think I would look into the field of psychology. The way people’s minds work is fascinating and I wish I was able to get inside their heads and try to help them. I guess the best I can do right now is take the time to be nice to everyone and be there for people when they are in need. It is important to show others that you care about them, and even the slightest smile is enough to convince them that they mean something to you in one way or another. Smiling and being happy is enough to help make the world a more beautiful place.
Uh, I think when Dalai Lama mentioned “beauty and prosperity”, it’s good to notice that he said "contributes". That's either directly or indirectly. Everyone contributes to the beauty of the world in some way. Yes, even if you were an axe-murder who decided to dismember small children and make meat falafels out of them, you would have ended up contributing the beauty of the world in an odd way. Really.
The way I see it, pain is the precursor to acceptance-and eventually- happiness. Say for example, that tragically and disgustingly, some asshole decided your child was a perfect ingredient for said Middle Eastern dish. The pain and suffering would be enormous, the tears would be endless, and the anger would be immeasurable, as you learned of how your son was chopped up and consumed by some fat tourist (I’m channeling my inner Brendan).
Actually, that was a bad example. I mean, that's really unlikely, your kid ending up in a falafel and all. But whatever.
Anyways, a great majority of the wronged eventually learn to forgive the wrongers, although the other portion can’t shed the anger and the overwhelming sadness.
In turn, people take sympathy with the family’s situation, and learn to take something out of it to better themselves. So to me, everyone contributes to this rather convoluted idea of being positively affected by someone else. Say, as a result of Party A (crazed killer), Party B (family) decided to make an organization to raise "Cannibal Chefs Awareness". You contribute to beauty and betterment of the world in that sense. You just spread the message that;
“killing people for food is bad!”
Say you’re Party C (anyone else). You decide to be affected by Party A and B, eventually deciding to be more aware, and (hopefully) make this world a bit more beautiful.
Before anyone asks, yes,I think it’s possible for someone to die truly unhappy. But at one point in their lives- during or after- they touch someone positively. Sure you can toss hypotheticals around, but I don’t think there’s a single human being who didn’t eventually better the world they lived in. Yeah, even Hitler managed to convince the world that killing people is bad. Was it his intention? No. But indirectly he created a large population of people who realize the indescribable atrocities of genocides. I’ll go out and say that it is impossible to live a life without influencing someone positively.
I know it was poorly developed, but I hope it makes a tiny bit of sense. I guess take everything in retrospect is what it boils down to. Beauty is the flower which comes from the ugliness seed. You can’t have one without the other. You learn to love and be happy as a direct result of the hatred and the anguish. My god, that was corny.
I hope I’ve impacted the people I know in even the slightest. If I have, great. If not, that’s definitely my main goal. I say time and time again, but I want to do medical work in poor countries, and join the Peace Corps at some point. I would also like to have shares in the Chicago Bears organization and own a Wawa. And like Jen, I like to constantly learn and teach, but I think I’ve elaborated on that idea in blogs before.
But really, in all honestly, we contribute to each other’s live every day. From something as simple as holding a door open or to even giving a smile while in the hallway, we have the powerful ability to affect others. Or by chance deciding that you don’t have 150 bucks to spend on a field trip can make someone really sad (*cough Fiona cough*). It’s actually scary if you think about it, for the most minute of actions can have totally different effect on someone else. It’s like the domino you didn’t see.
As far my legacy goes, I just want to be the guy to bring a smile or laughter to someone who needs it. Have a hot and intelligent wife (who can make me cheesesteaks and mashed potatoes), and a kid or two. Do something great in the world, and not be recognized. Bring interesting ideas to the table, and open up perspectives for others and myself. Learn to Riverdance, try out for Stomp, and teach a little-somethin’ to the children.
I guess if you looked at it more logically, legacies centered around yourself are pretty much pointless. Who needs to remember you when you’re dead? You really wouldn’t care now, would you? That’s probably a really blunt and tactless way of looking at it, but to me, I could care less if no one attended my funeral. Not that I necessarily believe in a heaven or hell, but as Cervi says, dying at the end with the most money doesn’t really mean much. Life on this earth isn’t… final.
Brendan: I choked on my tea when I read Jolly Lama. I was laughing for a good five minutes. Hope my interpretation of the quote made some sense.
I believe that we all have a purpose on life and can affect others in way that we would never fathom. In movies like Pay It Forward you see how good deeds can travel from person to person and connect us all in the simplest of ways. Some of you may argue that my example is not valid because it is in fact a movie, but I don't feel that this particular movie was Hollywood-ized the least bit. Don't we all say that one person can make a difference?
Immediately, the first people whose lives I have affected are my friends. You can't say that the person you are hasn't been shaped by whom you are friends with. Everyone has their own ideas and character traits, but I feel my bad ones have taught my friends things just as much as my good ones. I can't speak for anybody, but perhaps my somewhat bitter and cynical side many times has motivated my friends to see more than the bad things I portray life as. It goes both ways. I learn from my friends, mistakes just as they learn by my experiences.
I feel that you can positively and negatively affect people. I would hope that I would never drive anyone to drink or do drugs or something ridiculous like that, and I don’t think I'm capable of that. At the least, if people can learn from my mistakes and make their lives one step better, then I can feel somewhat accomplished.
My goal to influence others would be in the form of an exceptional coach. From experience, I have realized that coaches can make you or break you. I've had only two great coaches. My dad, and he's my dad, and Hearn. Otherwise, I haven't had that coach that I can really trust and rely on to bring passion into a sport. I want to be that coach who brings out a player's love for their sport. The one who with a few wise words can lift you out of a slump. The one who gives everything to the team expecting nothing back, but the joy of his or her players. A coach can influence someone’s life more than many people realize and I would like to get the best of both worlds, in teaching something I love, and showing others how great their sport is.
In college I plan on majoring in biology. I love animals, like Jen, and have an interest in equine related things like nutrition and diseases and anatomy. All that good stuff. I could picture myself having a barn and being an equine nutritionist or some other job that directly relates to improving the lives of horses. However, I’ve recently realized that I also have a huge passion for reading and writing. I love to read, and will stay up late to finish a book even though I’m extremely tired at school the next day. Also, I’ve always liked writing and I have taken an interest in journalism through my class. I’m not a Jodi Picoult or J.K. Rowling. I can’t vividly describe a sunset, but I would love to write something that influences others. Many books I read, change my life and the way I think about different things. If I could write something so moving that it makes others see life differently, I would be ecstatic. I live and breathe sports and would love to be a sports journalist however, however, it currently doesn’t relate to my major. So, to relate to my interest in biology and animals, I think I could have a career in writing for some publication as a journalist. I’m not the slightest bit sure what I will really do, but I would like to accomplish two things that I love doing.
This blog has been all over the place, but I’ve gotten all of my ideas out. I used to want so many things in life. To be the best athlete at all my sports, win a Grand Prix Jumper Final with my horse, and be successful in my career as a veterinarian. However, I’ve realized that unless I set my heart to do exactly what I want I won’t get anywhere. My goal in life is to find the passion that I know I feel in everything I do and share it to others so they can see their own potential. I feel that you may never know whom you have affected until after your existence. You may not realize each of the persons who have been moved by a positive or negative thing you do until the very end.
Jen:
"If people can’t give me what I want to know, I need to find out my own way or else I feel like something’s missing."
For every class I'm in, you always ask the most questions. Simple or complex, you're one of those people that simply want to know what's going on. I have many questions but because I can't form them, don't ask, even though I wish I did. I think it takes courage and some humility to ask questions. As for Calculus, I should ask questions but I don't even know where to begin, and like you I probably won't get an answer.
Also, I somewhat agree with what you said that humans don't necessarily deserve help, which is why you give it to animals. Humans have messed up a lot, and animals are just better to be with in general.
@ Sarah's response to my post:
I suppose, but if all you had were awesome times with the occasional good time thrown in, wouldn't you still appreciate the awesome times for being better than the good times?
I'm going to do my absolute best to give this blog justice, as I sit here with my 101 fever...
I am a firm believer in fate, and I completely agree with HH. From Barack Obama to the homeless bum on the street, we are all here for a reason. We may not realize it, but everything we do is part of a bigger plan. I don't know when and why I started to feel so strongly about this, but it is rooted into who I am. I refuse to think that we are all just here and not meant for anything specific. Every person is created for a reason, and we are all blessed with certain talents and traits that help guide us towards our purpose. By death, every person has contributed something to someone.
Now. What do I contribute? Well, it depends. If my mom is upset, I will sit down and let her vent to me. If Molly looks stressed about her CHemistry grade, I tell her my calculus grade and immediately make her feel better about her life :). If my brother needs anything at all I automatically get it for him. If Mike looks miserable, I will go out of my way to make him feel better. If my sisters are fighting with each other, I will try to mediate. See, there isn't one thing that I contribute to this earth. I just do my best to make the lives of the people around me a little bit better. I try to be understanding and helpful, because thats the best I can do. At this point in my life, that's all I can do.
This summer I plan on volunteering at the special services school, which I'm really excited about. I adore those kids, and to be able to spend time with them is such a humbling experience. I will probably impact those kids a lot, but in reality they impact me way more.
When I grow up I hope to get a job in the medical field. Right now my interets lie in the field of neuroscience, which is the study of the nervous system. No, I do not want to be a brain surgeon. I do, however, want to do rehabilitation with brain trauma patients. I read an article about a woman who does this exact thing, and I felt so inspired. She does a mind, body, and soul type of rehab with these people. It involves a deep understanding of who they were before the accident, and trying to get them back to that person. To me this seems like the absolute best job in the world. I feel as though it would allow me to help a lot of people in a lot of different ways. I can't imagine anything more rewarding then giving someone their life back, so to speak. In addition, I would love to be a mother. I have always been fascinated with adoption, and so after having 2 or 3 kids of my own, I plan on adopting. I also want very badly to rescue greyhounds, because I think they are gorgeous dogs that don't deserve the abuse they suffer.
I want my legacy to simply be that I do everything I can to help people, and make their lives a little bit better.
"We have to be faced with problems because we need challenges to keep us active intellectually and emotionally. So no matter what someone or something offers in their lifetime, it's always meaningful."
-Jen
I really liked your whole blog, but this particular part got me thinking. I couldn't agree with you more, although I must admit that I never would have thought of things like this!
What do I do, besides complain too much, consume way more than I should, and stress over just about everything? Well, like Fiona, I am an older, wiser (or at least I like to think) sibling. I have been told constantly that my brother and sister look up to me, follow my actions and use them as examples for their life. I really don’t know why me, truthfully. I am a decent person, yes, but am I really the best role model there is? I surely hope not. But I can’t change whom they admire, all I can do is be the best me and become the best model for them.
I also co-teach a religion class every Sunday. I fell this is probably the most prominent way in which I spread the beauty of the world. My main goal, if nothing else is accomplished, is to instill values of morality within each child. I, hopefully, am shaping the future generations, who will, in turn, do the same thing.
The only other “activity” that I think qualifies would be peer meditation. This particular job is much more about prevent destruction and disaster to the world, which will hopefully allow it to flourish. I help prevent arguments, break up fights, bring best friends closer than before, and, the most important, and reveal how useless and trivial fighting is. This is right up their with teaching. I feel like I am truly making some impact, even if only a small one, on the environment and good-natured atmosphere (bonhomie) of the school.
Now, as far as the future is concerned, let’s just say that’s about as clear as a rock is see-through. However, I do have a vague idea of which direction I would like my life to go. I would like to have children, whether adopted or biological or both. I want to be able to bring a light into this darkness, and begin to illuminate the shadows we’ve created. I would like them to lead good, pure lives, helping whenever possible, never forgetting that we are all one people. As for a career, that’s the gray area. I would like to enter the field of math, yeah, I know, mock me if you must, or biology. Two completely different paths, yet each has its own benefits to bestow upon the world, and, yes, there are benefits with math, such a being able to find a price so the consumer pays the lowest price while the company still makes money.
I think HH hit the nail on the head; everyone contributes, whether they want to or not, to the beauty of the world. There are people who have chosen a career helping the world, and it is blatantly obvious the beauty they contribute. A few examples are doctors, nurses, counselors, and, from my experience, teachers, too. But maybe, some of the not so obvious ones are those who kill, murder, rape, pillage, and desecrate. From the outside, most people only see the evil that comes of these peoples’ choices and rarely take the time to view the good. Because of these people, we have created laws for protection and ways for recompense. We learn to appreciate the wonderful blessings we have been given when we see these horrible occurrences within others’ families. As odd and paradoxical as it may sound, “bad people” and their disgraceful actions contribute as much to the good as they do the bad. Like Jani said, even Hitler brought about something good because of his actions. That is not to say he was in any way, shape or form a decent person but that despite all of his cruel methods, there managed to be a reawaking of awareness.
My greatest contribution, unfortunately, is under fairly strict client privacy laws, so will have to be rather vague, but I will do my best. The reason for these privacy rules is that my contribution occurred during a peer mediation session. It was one of my first mediations and I was fairly nervous but slowly gaining confidence from the previous mediations I had accomplished successfully. This mediation involved fairly normal teenage problems: name calling, rudeness, and threats. But as I was listening to one of the “clients” tell their story my heart dropped. Had they not come to mediation, s/he said, s/he would have started a fight, more likely than not. And from my perspective, it would have been a nasty, bloody one. But s/he continued saying that because of my partner and me, s/he felt no need to fight. S/he thanked me wholeheartedly and left. It felt so good knowing that I helped to spread peace and prevent violence. My hope was that s/he would see the light and spread peace around the school. I don’t really know what ever became of him/her but I do know that I have never felt the same in my entire life. It was a feeling I can’t even put words to at the moment. But I kind of hope that s/he took the peace that I was able to give them and passed it forward, like the Liberty Mutual commercial (link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMwoexR1evo), which has been in my head since I read this blog on Sunday.
I don’t believe in predestination or destiny, although I do think that everything happens for a particular reason. I don’t think I can tell you what my destiny will be or should be or anything along those lines, except that I will live for a while, pay taxes, and then die. I can tell you what I hope it will be, but other than that, I am just along for the ride.
I wish to be remembered not for money or intelligence or the first person to invent a personal hovercraft, although that would be cool. I want to be remembered as the person who made a difference in the world, someone who contributed to the beauty and growth, instead of destruction and calamity, of the world.
Molly G:
"HH:
I believe it. It kind of reminds me of, ‘everything happens for a reason.’ We are all put on this earth to do something, to help someone. And once you think about it, it makes sense. Every person has value, no one is useless"
I couldn't agree with you more. I also feel that we are all here for a reason, to help someone or a group of someone's. I think these few sentences wrap up HH's ideas perfectly. Also i enjoyed reading your blog. You are a really amazing writer and it was a pleasure to read your blog.
Brendan:
"anthropomorphic Jolly Llama"
This seriously was one of the funniest things i have ever read. I was laughing for a good while. However, I do have to disagree with your opinion on HH's idea. I think everyone contributes good no matter how evil their actions.
There is no doubt in my mind that we’re all here to contribute to society in some shape or form. But like Myra said, that doesn’t always mean we will. I want to believe that we were all given certain talents and skills that are meant to guide us to where we belong and that we will use them. But the sad truth is that there are so many people who choose not to take advantage of the gifts they are given. I know all of you know those people who are extremely smart but take easy classes and slack off entirely. This is a perfect example of how unappreciative and wasteful we are sometimes with something so envied; intelligence. What HH said makes perfect sense to me and I do believe it is possible. But there are other factors that prevent such a great thing from ever happening.
My contributions so far have been little in my opinion. I volunteer as much as I can with student council and other organizations, but not enough to brag about. I feel that I have good intentions in all that I do for society, but because of my situation, I can’t always put “saving the world” at the top of my to-do list. But I believe that I affect the people around me in a positive way that could possibly add to my project. For instance, I like to give compliments. It’s as simple as that. If I like someone’s top or a person’s essay, I’ll let them know. It gives me a tremendous feeling when someone sincerely gives me a compliment or says something genuinely kind. So, if everybody spread a little bit of this, there may hopefully be a bigger impact. But I’m taking the baby steps right now.
In the future, I hope to do a lot more than what I am doing today. It took me a very long time to figure out what I want to do as a career, and I’m still not completely sure, but I learned a great deal about myself in the process. I realized that as much as I dislike ‘people’ as a whole, the only thing I could think of to cure this was to help them. Weird, right? So I realized the medical field was the way to go. I know there is no way that I could ever be away from sports completely, so I found a way to include them. I hope to be a physical therapist or some sort of athletic trainer (haven’t decided yet) because I know what it’s like to play sports, get hurt and want nothing more than to get better as soon as possible. I would ultimately love to be able to ease the pain of an athlete and help them get back on the field as much as I could. If I could do anything for the world, it would definitely be this.
I never really considered having a legacy. Never was I one of those who dreamed of finding buried treasure or generating the cure for cancer. And I may never be remembered for anything other than soccer (hopefully !!!!), and that doesn’t bother me. But I do hope to have an impact on the people around me. I hope to be known as the athletic jokester who grew up into a happy, successful woman who did her best to help in any way she could. I want this to be my legacy, but I am confident in saying it will be.
Every human being has a purpose in life. I believe wholeheartedly in HH’s ideas. It makes absolute sense to me. Everything happens for a reason. And we are placed upon this planet to find that reason. Every single person and creature that inhabits this earth contributes to the beauty of our world. We all have something special to add to the world. Whether it is a matter of worldwide importance or a simple favor for a friend in need, you contribute more to those lives than you may realize. We all add our very own uniqueness to this melting pot, which can turn into a positive and a negative thing at times. But even so, we make this place even more beautiful and prosperous without even trying.
I’m a daughter. Obviously. I’m a sister (sometimes). I pick my little brother, Lucas, up from the bus stop every day after school and help him with his homework. Cameron is just a lost cause… Otherwise, I’m a friend. I always try to let my friends now that I’m always there for them if they need a shoulder to lean on. When a friend turns to you when they need advice, you know you’ve done something right. I’m a girlfriend. I’d do anything to make sure my boyfriend is happy. I’m a soccer player. I pour my heart and soul out on that field. And that’s just to name a few contributions I have made to my own life and others. But what I truly believe stands out as my most valuable trait is my sarcasm. I can take a joke, and I’m rarely ever offended by one. I love to make people laugh. And it’s the best medicine for any sadness you may be feeling. Just a simple giggle can brighten up anyone’s day, no matter how horrible it may be going. Making my friends laugh makes me feel a bit better, as well. It’s a great feeling knowing that the reason why that person is smiling is because of you. Whenever I see a friend upset, I try to get to the root of the situation with several jokes along the way. I hate to see anyone close to me upset. So, with a few jokes thrown their way, I’d hope that their problems would vanish from their thoughts even if only for a second. With sarcasm guiding my way, I wish to relieve some of the stress that those around me are feeling. The happiness of my loved ones means more than my own does to me. I want to be the person my friends know they can come to for a good laugh and positive encouragement. I don’t want to be a comedian or anything, but I would like this to be a trait that will never fade from me. I love having this ability and I hope that I will be able to continue bettering the miserable attitudes of my peers with a bit of comic relief. As for a career, I’m not entirely certain of that yet. How can you be? We’re freaking 17. But I have several possible choices narrowed down to an orthodontist, a psychologist, or a physical therapist if it’s any consolation… But I know with these careers, I will be able to help and impact. Whether it be fixing crooked teeth or helping someone to walk again, I will be able to change someone’s life. As for my legacy, I want to die knowing that I have changed someone’s life, even if only minutely. I want to impact someone’s life for the better. I want myself, my friends, and my family to be happy with what they’ve done with themselves. Eventually, the purpose of our lives will be known. It just takes time.
Jen-
I felt I could relate a lot to your blog. I had Mrs. Baird last year, and she is incapable of answering any question with an intelligent response. :) But the fact that you need to do everything, reminds me a lot of myself. I NEED every detail possible to every situation, and if I don't have it, I get extreme anxiety for some reason.
-Myra
"What I believe is that everyone has the potential to impact the world for the better and contribute to the creation of peace and beauty and serenity, but that doesn't mean they will. I believe in a little thing called "the free agency of man" which can really throw a monkey wrench into the cosmic plans of the Universe."
I whole-heartedly agree with you about this. We are all given traits and talents that will eventually be discovered, but some people just choose to waste them. It's because of them that not everybody is going to contribute something good to our world. I also liked the quotation you added, it made a lot of sense and helped support your point.
Hmmm.
Well, like HH, I believe that the things that we go through and the people that we meet throughout our lives definitely effect who we become. I have an annoying little sister for a reason. I lost Coach Bob for a reason. I had Mrs. Hudson for a reason. All of these people have put a dent in who I am today. And, when you are lying on your death bed, you will have finally learned and affected all of the people that you could in your lifetime.
Now, what do I do?
A good listener?? Pssh. Nope, I have ADD.
A musician? Not any more.
I am a talker. I like to talk and talk and talk and talk. I will even continue talking when you have already stopped listening to me. Ask my bus in the morning. I talk when everybody else is nestled up with their backpack, and once in a while Mike or Alison will emerge from their seats and give me a look. But I keep talking. This is good and bad for me. I talk myself in circles, sometimes not making any sense. I think that this is also why I sometimes have trouble writing, because different things pop into my head and before I can even recall what it was, it is gone.
I like, no, I LOVE to make people laugh. I feel that this is one of my greatest contributions to other peoples’ lives. Laughing is one of the greatest stress relievers. I like everything about it. The reaction from the people, the attention, the act of actually telling the joke. It doesn’t even have to be a joke. It could be a sly comment or weird face. I like to think of it as brightening the day of other people and possibly taking them away from whatever they are stressing over. I guess I’m kind of an attention whore, but I don’t care. I don’t care if you think that I sound stupid, as long as one person’s day is better because of something that I did, I am satisfied. Even though I get red sometimes... =[
I am not sure what I will be. Every time I trudge into the Guidance Office for my yearly visit, I am asked the same question. ‘So Brittany, have you thought about what you want to be?’ If this woman only knew. Anyway, what kind of a question is that?!? Who hasn’t thought about what they want to be at all? Actually, I have thought about what I will be, and I varied from doctor to lawyer to orthodontist to teacher to soccer player. But there is one thing that I am sure that I will do. I will be successful. And, if I am lucky, this thing will bring me happiness.
My legacy will have something to do with having fun. I want to travel the world and go on roller coasters and teach others to let go along the way. I would like to be remembered as a person who brightened other peoples’ days through laughter, but more importantly, I would like to be remembered as a real and genuine person, who successfully lived their life to the fullest.
“Otherwise, I haven't had that coach that I can really trust and rely on to bring passion into a sport. I want to be that coach who brings out a player's love for their sport. The one who with a few wise words can lift you out of a slump. The one who gives everything to the team expecting nothing back, but the joy of his or her players.”
Carly-
I really liked this part of your blog. I have only had Hearn as a teacher and he is.. well Hearn :] and your dad is a great coach from what I can remember back from the REC basketball days. What you said made me think. If I had one coach that touched my life and made me realize that my love for basketball should be enough to keep at it and work to get better, I might not be the biggest un-athlete in the world like I am now. I am not blaming this solely on my lack of an amazing inspirational coach, but it makes me wonder for sure. On the other hand, some of my coaches were pretty much the reason why I hated playing. Their effect on my whole sports psyche ruined my eight years of playing. It makes me wonder why things happen the way they do.
Goetze:
I agree that making people laugh is something I enjoy doing. Reciting comedians is always a good start lol. Also, I liked your 'plan' for your future, which is basically to make it last and have a good time travelling and doing other exciting things.
Tarah:
I totally understand what you said. I've had as many good as bad coaches and I know that some can really take everything out of the game for you. It's expecially a shame when you are young and you have a coach that takes the fun out of everything. I think sports are amazing for many reasons but you can always find inspiration through other things. Oh, and you should deffinetly manage for soccer next year! The team is so much fun:)
Well, here we are again, doing what I don't want to do to allow me to continue to do things I don't want to do, in order to get a job I don't really want to do, in order to allow me to, as Brendan says, play the games for a long time ahead. Now onto the question.
What do I do now? My tag on Steam has been for awhile, and will continue to be, The Irish Jester. The Irish bit occurs because half my great gramparants were off-the-boat Irish peasants. Jester comes from what I do. I'm a comedian in the sense that the Comedian from Watchmen was. The world, all of you included, in your little AP bubble of all work and no play, is far too serious for my liking. We work and work and work and work and work and work and then we die. As a weird-ass pagan who is not entirely convinced the gods made us or even care if they did, I have no conviction that there is an afterlife. No firm belief that there's something after this, but enough of one that the idea of grief is idiotic to me. Work and work and work and maybe a little bit of fun until we die? Not nearly good enough. They say there's no guarantees in life, but there aren't any in death either. I'm making the hell most of what I've got. If that means four hours of sleep a night as soon as I can get away with it, so be it. If that means forsaking a few chances for ambition, so be it. What I do? I try to get my friends, or at least those I figure are most receptive to it, to get over their little lives for a minute or two. I try to affect everything around me as a force of chaos, trying to get everyone around me to lighten up.
As to my greatest impact, that's the tricky bit innit? I don't get too close to people. Hence, my greatest accomplishments for other people tend to happen entirely by accident. I was doing mah thang, and they happened to benefit. Pleasant side effects ftw. But, my greatest 'gift' to someone else, and I could be entirely mistaken here, would most likely be the same as my greatest mistake a couple blogs back. Said girl, after I was completely oblivious, went back to her original guy and now they both claim to be in 'lurves.' Ordinarily I would dismiss this as a farce, given my thoughts on teen lurves, but when a mutual friend asked him what kind of girl, physically, he would end up with, he gave a startlingly detailed description that just happened to match her physique. And in a different conversation with the same friend, he mentioned he 'used to think high school dating was pointless' until he found out her folks met in high-school. Maybe I'm weird, but I figure a happy accident that gave him and her the slightest chance at happiness (read: bliss), even if only for a little while counts as greater than all my noob-pwning antics combined.
What I want to do is easy. I want to own my own game shop, assuming brick and mortar game stores are still around in twenty years. But I want to do this mostly to enable my game habit. I also want to build custom computers for people, again mostly to satisfy my lust for that fresh electronics smell. (something about fresh pressed plastic just makes me happy inside. Geeks, back me up here)
My Legacy? How I'd like to be remembered when I die? Figure I won't really care, given that I'll be dead and all, but for the sake of argument, I'd like to be remembered as someone who looks for the bright hole in a dark cloud, and someone who would help those who needed it. Also maybe a costumed hero/criminal mastermind, but that's just in the planning stages, so we can't speak of that yet. In the broader sense, I don't really care if I impact THE ENTIRE WORLD IN A STRING OF AWESOMENESS, A LA NIKOLA TESLA, if I can spend the maybe eighty years I've got having as much fun as I can and providing as much as possible for those in my power, I'll die a happy man, and maybe come back as a robot to end all of you squishy meatbags.
And as to HH's idea, I'm unconvinced. I don't really think people have added much to the beauty of the world. You can call the examples of literature and whatnot all you want, but the facts are summed up pretty well by Alan Moore, speaking through Dr. Manhattan.
“In my opinion, [Life] is a highly overrated phenomenon. Mars gets on perfectly without so much as a microorganism. See: there's the south pole beneath us now... No life. No life at all, but giant steps, ninety feet high, scoured by dust and wind into a constantly changing topographical map, flowing and shifting around the pole in ripples ten thousand years wide. Tell me... would it be greatly improved by an oil pipeline?”
With all the crap we've done to this planet, all this impending apocalypse nonsense aside, would it really be worse off without us and all we've done? The rest of the known universe gets on fine without life, let alone the intelligent kind.
And including the apocalypse nonsense, if there had been someone a mite more trigger happy at a certain Russian missile silo when their missile detection systems went haywire towards the end of the Cold War, we would all be dead, as would the rest of the sapient and non-sapient life on the planet. Even Nuclear weapons haven't stopped us from thinking of new and more efficient ways to kill each other. They still have NO IDEA what the hadron collider will do once they start actually colliding things. And when all that research leads to apocalypse, what good have any humans achieved in the long view? We're walking a course far too close to a razor's edge for me to think we'll (That being everything, past present and future to have lived) have contributed anything outside of the short-term.
Also, DAMN YOU WORD VERIFICATION CODES! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AN IMAGE FILE A SPAMBOT CAN'T READ, NOT AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE JUMBLE OF LETTERS _I_ CAN'T READ! GAHRAHRHAEAAHTEAHYRHJKJTENYGSERJKBTRE!
I do believe that everyone is put here on earth for a purpose. I believe that things happen for a reason and that there is no such thing as a chance meeting. There is always a reason for running into an old friend or when you see something that catches your attention that usually you wouldn’t have given a second glance at. We all interact and contribute to each other in ways we see happen and ways that are a little more subtle. The butterfly effect is in full swing every day even if we don’t see the little consequences that occur. It does seem impossible, but it makes sense at the same time.
Recently, I have been trying to discover who I am and what I like to do. I don’t have a sport that I play religiously, I don’t do drama or play in the band, I’m hardly the smartest kid in my calculus class, and I am not an artist. I can say however that I have tried a lot of different things in my short life so far. I love basketball and watch it often, even though I don’t play on a team anymore, I used to play the saxophone and still can pretty much, I try very hard in school, I love to paint but haven’t in a very long time (I plan to start back up), I have done dance classes, I have water skied, I have been to a lot of unusual cool places (thanks to my dad and his ability to find and take me to weird places that I never would have went to on my own.. like an insectatarium? I ended up eating a bug and developing my hatred of spiders there.), and a lot of other things. I try to take chances and do new things to hopefully find my passion along the way. I still have time. My hope is that in doing all of these different things and meeting diverse people along the way, I have affected those around me in ways that worked for them. I have very random recollections that stick in my head clear as day about strangers who said or did something that happened to stay fastened in my memory. My hope is that I am this stranger to others.
In the future I hope to be an optometrist and give people sight they never knew they were missing. When I first went to the optometrist and got glasses, I had no idea that I was as blind as I was. With them, I was able to see the leaves on the trees and little details that I never got to experience without glasses. This inspired me. I hope to give people back what I feel to be their most important sense. Even if they forget about me down the line and begin to take their sight for granted, I know their ability to see will stick with them. Fixing a lot of peoples’ vision and improving their quality of life by doing so will be my legacy if I become an optometrist like I want to. It sounds like a good contribution to the world to me.
Yes Carly! I deffinitely am! As long as Hearn still loves me. If not, I will make him let me anyway. :]
Myra: Surpisingly well formatted. And besides, an excellent point, and an admirable goal. Being a hand-grenade in a tea-party is a fun thing to be, and something that will give everyone else something to think about instead of their same old same old. Good work comrade.
My ears have been open to others for, collectively, 6,205 days to people ranging from the self-centered to the open-minded. Just recently, I have listened to the words of educators, some of whom can speak ten different languages fluently, and others which can teach you the difference between and implications of M1 and M2 in currency circulation in under fifteen minutes. Intellect obviously differs from one person to the next, yet, every person always has something to say that requires our attention. I have also listened to others who can make an honest, cohesive argument that ketchup is the best condiment, and a broken watch makes terrible toast. Every word which is spoken and every word that you hear is important because it opens you to a new perspective. One of the great and most fascinating things about the human mind is the fact that the perspective it encompasses is always different. Hence, with this notion, such aspects as beauty and happiness can no longer be solidly defined; they remain perspectives. When we listen to these different perspectives we are able to expand our own perspectives while making them more concrete, and understand more about our environment. Also by listening, we show others that their way of thinking truly does matter which encourages them to make their perspective known to others. It is these people who will, without a doubt, impact the ways of society.
The number of different thoughts that go through a person in their lifetime is immeasurable, and the effect it has upon others when spoken could also be considered immeasurable. People have completely changed the course of their life because of listening. For instance, a student in my psychology class has decided that instead of going into politics, she is going to study psychology in college simply as a result of listening to the information our teacher has been exposing us to. In history class, I learned of a woman who had overheard from the people within her town that once the Nazis bring you into the concentration camp, they take everything away from you. Knowing this, when she was in the concentration camp, she swallowed the diamonds her mother had given her so that the Nazis would not find them. If they had, she would have severely punished. As you can see, by listening, people’s lives can be changed upon varying levels. The effects are immeasurable.
My contribution to the world, therefore, has been listening. By listening, I hope to show others the importance of listening. I also hope to make a difference in someone else’s life with my own enhanced perspective. HH’s idea is not, I suppose, impossible, but one’s willingness to find their purpose or contribution to life does differ dramatically. In order to find your purpose, I believe it takes a motivation to find it. We may be here to contribute to the “beauty and prosperity of the world”, but this does not innately come to a person. You learn of your contribution to others with an understanding of who you are, what you wish to become, and what you feel is important. Unfortunately, there are those who seem to feel that this contribution is unimportant, or they disbelieve that if they do find it that it will actually make a difference.
My greatest contribution has been the willingness to listen to people of varying intellectual levels, and truly believing that by listening to them, it will make a difference in both myself and others. While such a contribution may seem to be useless, you must consider the vast amount of people who have risen to their success with the willingness of others to listen to what they have to say. Somewhere, there is a man who, after fifteen years, has finally landed the job of his dreams because there was a single business executive out of the ten who listened to his presentation who felt that he would be suitable for the job. There is a woman who has been begging on the streets her entire life, but was finally given the money that she needed because of one person who finally decided to listen to her pleas. There is a kid who has been bullied at school for as long as he can remember, but because one of the students in the group convinced his pals to give it a rest, the kid didn’t have to dread coming into school the next day. By listening, our perspectives are heavily influenced, and we are able to change the course of events in the future.
Although it’s a start, I have been successful in convincing a freshman on my bus to take honors courses next year. Also, I have manifested enough confidence in my marching band “lil’ sis’” that she now feels more than confident to go into the military after high school. I am sure that I have impacted people in other ways that I do not even know of yet through my willingness to listen. Overall, I wish for my legacy to be that everyone, regardless of intellect, has something important to say that should be considered. What they say may not be that important to you at times, but it is important to them that you are listening. At other times, it may not be that important to them, yet may be important to you. I want my legacy to be something which all people take into account. Even the greatest professors of this world can learn from the perspectives of others on a lower intellectual level than themselves. There is always more to learn and more that can be influenced through listening.
In response to Tarah T:
I must say that your blog was truly inspirational, and there was a lot I could relate to. For instance, when you said that you “try to take chances and do new things to hopefully find my passion along the way,” I think that is a fantastic idea, and one that will truly pay off later in life. By experiencing new things, it really can allow you to see what kind of person you are, and what your passion is in. Also, I liked when you said, “I have very random recollections that stick in my head clear as day about strangers who said or did something that happened to stay fastened in my memory.” This really did remind me of the time when someone from the Inauguration Trip I went on said “it’s important to die wearing a fancy coat”. This particular quote has had a huge affect on me, and really influenced what I want out of life (with the way I interpreted it). Lastly, I love the last part of your blog. “In the future I hope to be an optometrist and give people sight they never knew they were missing.” This, to me, is a great goal to accomplish. The amount of lives you would be changing would be incredible. I also agree that sight is the most important sense we have been given.
Devon:
"Every person is created for a reason, and we are all blessed with certain talents and traits that help guide us towards our purpose. By death, every person has contributed something to someone."
I particularly like these few lines of your response. I completely agree but you said it much more succinctly and beautifully then i ever could in my jumbled up head. I think you're an amazing writer and really enjoyed reading your blog! Plus the fact that you wrote it with a 101 fever, all the more kudos to you.
Fiona:
Congrats on your first first blog post! Should I expect to see more of this non-procrastinator like attitude or was it a one-time fluke? Either way, congrats and I really enjoyed your blog plus the other conversations we've had during lunch.
What do I do? Well, I do about as much as you would see written on my nametag if you happened to be at your neighborhood Mays Landing Wal-Mart and saw me doing either my job or one of the hundreds of jobs that I should not be doing but end up with anyways. Oh, but No, you won't see my name and you won't see it say Cashier in black, bolded letters. In fact you won't see anything, cause my tag F'ked up and can no longer be used. Doesnt make much sence, but what I'm trying to say is that I don't really DO just one thing. In fact, if you think about the topic of contribution, I do almost nothing. Much like Danny, any positive effect that I may have on people is simply dependent on the moment. If I crack a funny joke, people laugh. If I know how to do something but someone else doesn't, they get it done. If someone needs help but doesnt ask for it, yet I'm standing near by doing nothing of importance, I will more then likely have the courtesy of asking them if they need some help. I don't volunteer or do much community work simply because helping people is not on my agenda right now.
OH MY GOD!!! HOW DARE YOU NOT HELP PEOPLE !!! Yeah, I know that nobody is that big on an extremist here, but its true. I don't put "helping people" as the priority on my list. Why? you make ask. Well the answer is simple, though selfish. If you haven't already guessed, Im talking of course about myself. I am the crem de la crem, the shark among the guppies, the one that is on top of this here list. I know, I know, selfish right? Well, I don't know if I've mentioned this before but I don't find selfishness a sin that people usually take it for. In fact, I believe that it is important to know when it is important to be just a little bit selfish. A few of my friends taught me that, which is more sad then great. I've seen many people who just plain and simple, don't like themselves. Whether its one thing or the other, they just don't give a crap about what they think, what they have to say, or what they want to do. It is because of this, that they go head-over-heels to accomodate everyone else that surrounds them. WRONG!!!! BIG NO-NO!!!! You do not, and I repeat DO NOT under any case give up on yourself and still have the nerve to reach your hand out to help another soul. I never understood how it is that a person can extend a helping hand or a sign of care when they don't even care enough about themselves. You might be digging your friends, or random people out of their graves, but you are just throwing the sand down you own grave, as you slowly fill it up.
My greatest contribution....is a hard one to answer, mainly because I never know if I do more good then harm. I guess, if I think of it as liberation, I can mention how I helped a weak soul change for the better. My methods might have been extreme, and my work is not yet done, but I am seeing a lot of improvement in my "project." If you do infact consider this as a total "brainwashing" or "devil/voodoo magic" then I guess my only other MAJOR contribution is just being a good listener for those that decide to come to me for problems. Now, the rule of this business is that, unless I really really don't like you or don't feel like talking to you, I will not begin and end every sentence with "umm" "ok" "sucks" "damn" or dumb shit like that. No, I comment. I exercise my right, therebe it for better or for worse, to advise or even critique people(If I feel that you are highly highly mistaken). I feel that I'm doing at least this correctly, since I see it actually helping out people and if nothing else, cheering them up enough to go on.
My legacy is unknown as is my future, but I do have some opinion of what I might be. Basically there are two paths: Pharmaseutical Tech V.S. Everything Else. If its P.T. them I'm hoping that my research will provide many cures for those that are suffering and those that will suffer from fatal and non-fatal illnesess. But I am never finding a cure for cancer, and that is a message to all of you wanna be doctors/medics/w/es don't find a cure for cancer. IT WILL DOOM US ALL!!!!1! (according to "I am Legend"). In addition to that, I will put a lot of my cares on my family and friends, since I'm going to need them every step of the way. If I go with the really broad and vague Plan B, I'm confident that my family and friends will be my only concern.
It’s almost funny that we are all sitting here, typing behind our computers, about something we will never really know the answer to. I’ve always been a religious person, and more recently, a spiritual person. But most recently I’ve been thinking about this very question. It’s along the same line of questions of life, death, faith, and God.
I’ve come to realize that it’s really hard to explain or contribute reason towards your faith in something. Always being a believer in purpose in a person’s life, I’ve almost come up to a wall where I don’t understand why I believe this. Diving into this question head on, I’ve found out that there won’t always be facts and evidence to support things that you believe in purely based on faith. This is what REALLY bothers me. Faith, religion, purpose; people spend their lives revolving themselves around these concepts, yet we can’t even explain them. There’s no way to say for sure we have purpose, that HH is right, or that people contribute to the world. I know this is all so pessimistic and is a phase that we all go through, but I truthfully cannot dig myself out of this curiosity.
Still leaning on my faith, I contemplate on whether HH’s words are true. In a planet where we have seemingly evolved from such little elements, I don’t see how we as mere creatures of evolution could have such an almighty and legacy-bound purpose. On the other hand, where as this process of evolution might have been intended for us, almost as if were purpose driven, I can completely see the reasoning in ‘contributing’ and prospering in the world.
What I don’t understand is the idea of human beings and their interactions with each other that so whimsically seems to make life full of purpose. Thinking of the billions that lived before us as well as billions after us, I ask how much of an impact can we have on the Earth in such a short gap of time.
But even in these thoughts of life and purpose I can’t help but think about how meaningless these thoughts could potentially be in the bigger picture. Part of me feels as if maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong, but regardless I’m still living the same life as the next person. UHGGG! It’s all so confusing and it really bothers me, but I know (and have faith) that I’ll get to the bottom of it. And when I do I choose to write my occasional paper about it.
Superficially HH’s words do seem like a bunch of nonsense, but deep down I have a fervid sense that there is something greater and more important out there. Although I’ll never know the ways I could have impacted people, I do believe that I might have impacted maybe one person, maybe in simply writing this crazy blog. And you’re right Bunje, in your contributions to the world. What else is there to leave someone besides your ideas, beliefs, and humor? Just kidding about the last one, but if I were to leave a legacy, it would be filled with my thoughts and beliefs about life. Lastly, I used to think I was a contribution to people, but if you can see where I’m at right now, doubting my purpose in life and all, I still wonder whether I really do.
What do I do?
I have a passion for helping. Whether it is helping someone with a pre-calc problem, or helping someone smile on a bad, helping is something that I strive to do. I love to help people because the reactions it brings. I love the sense of knowing that I helped put a smile on someone’s face. Not only that but when I help other people I help myself. To me, the best thing we can do for ourselves is help people, no matter if they are y our best friend or your biggest enemy. It makes us grow as people, and it makes us more aware of our surroundings. Haven’t talked to someone in a while, but feel like they could use a boost? Make them a CD or something that tell them you are thinking of them. Everyone could use a boost sometimes, and I like to be that boost that driving force that makes a smile appear even if just for a second.
What will I do?
I want to keep being that driving force, just on a larger scale. Something I have noticed a lot of this year is how many teachers know how to cheer me up. I never looked at teachers as role models before. Before high school I hadn’t had an exceptional teacher. Since I’ve been in high school I’ve had a few phenomenal teachers. These teachers have opened my eyes to what an impact a teacher can make on our young, impressionable minds. I have been confused on my major for the longest time. The other Mr. Prince was next to me and we casually started a conversation. He told me that one day I would be back here, teaching math. Quickly I objected to this notion, I didn’t think I wanted to come back to these hallways and relive it as a teacher. Yet, when he said it and I started to think about that path for me it just made sense. I love to teach and help people, maybe I should become a teacher.
HH:
Judging on the people I’ve come in contact with in the past few years I am starting to be a believer. Looking around at school I see each person has something to bring to the table, even if for you it’s just enlightenment by an opposing opinion. Everyone can help another person just by talking to them. That impacts people that give people a purpose. You never know what someone will take from a conversation with you. Along those lines, you also never know what an action or an animal can trigger in someone’s mind. In that way it is very possible, and in no way do I take it as nonsense.
What’s my greatest contribution thus far?
My greatest contribution thus far is very important to me. One night a friend of mine was having a major dilemma. This person was holding on to life by a thread, without the hope to live. I sat there that entire night and talked this person through it. Every hour or so I would check in, because the best thing I could do was keep this person talking. I knew this person needed to know how loved they were, they need a reason to smile when the world was giving them every reason to frown. Every person deserves to live, and this person did live. This person made it and I am so thankful that this person came to me. I think this is my greatest contribution because this person is a very bright person with a lot to offer. Every dying person is a detrimental loss to this world.
What will my legacy entail?
My legacy will hopefully include two things. First of all I want to be teacher and influence students like my teacher have done for me. I want to give back and put smiles on my student’s faces. I want to be someone they can go to, and feel comfortable around. Yet, I want to teach them values that my teachers have shown me. I think that this would make me very content. The pittance of pay would be countered by the joy that teaching can bring. The second thing in my legacy is to one day be a mom. I want to be someone’s special person. I want to look after someone and love someone the way I have been loved. I think that is so important and something that really gives back to the world. Being a mom would be so gratifying for me. Plus she, or he, could keep my legacy alive.
“If you're out on the road feeling lonely, and so cold,
All you have to do is call my name and I'll be there on the next train.
Where you lead, I will follow anywhere that you tell me to.
If you need, you need me to be with you I will follow where you lead.”
-Where You Lead by Carole King and Toni Stern
I’ll admit, the first thing that popped into my head was, “I sing!” However, now I realize that what I do is more significant than singing, at least I think so.
I give.
I am not absolutely sure if this counts as a contribution. All I am sure of is that I enjoy giving. It makes me happy to make others happy, and see them with a smile on their face. Sometimes, I tend to get a bit overly excited when I give, and most times, if I am giving away something huge, or significant, I’ll be in one of the best moods ever. It’s my way of showing people, “Hey, I care about you, and I just want you to be happy, even if only for a few minutes.” Also, it is my hope that I can spread the love of giving to everyone. We are on this world for too little a time to become selfish and greedy. I might as well make it enjoyable for as many people as possible.
Today on Falcon TV, there was this news excerpt about this guy who has been giving away food to those who need it for free since 2004. This is just one family who are willing to spend every night they have giving just for the sake of giving. If I do become an orthodontist, and I do end up in a comfortable life, I plan to help others too. Part of me wants to go to Thailand or Africa to help those, those who need food, shelter, and love way more than the majority of Americans. Imagine, in 2000 in Thailand, for $0.05, a vendor would offer you a huge green mango leaf filled with rice, fish paste and fried beetles. (I’ve tried everything but the beetles, just saying.) So if I retire with money to spare, I’ll definitely be putting it to good use by helping as many people as possible.
Other than this type of giving, I will also give the comfort of my voice. I know it’s not stellar like Mandy Moore or Alicia Keys, but I think it’s good enough to give others joy. When my friends or family are sad, and I really want to express how I feel for them, I sing to them. A few weeks ago, my grandfather had to go to the hospital. I don’t really want to disclose why, but with his old age, we all felt as though every visit we paid him could be the last. He ended up staying there for almost four weeks. I would go visit him, everyday after school. On one of the days, my family prodded me to sing for him...in the hospital. To tell you the truth, I really didn’t want to because the nurses and doctors and patients would hear! What would they think of me, a silly little Asian girl trying to sing when people are resting! (I have this problem where I have to sing loudly for certain songs.) I eventually gave in, and I started to sing Angel by Sarah M. As I sang it, I tried to give off every emotion that was running through my body into the song, and project it through my voice. I remember thinking, “Come on Megan, reach that note, sing better! It could make him live longer. It could heal him.” I looked directly at him when I was singing, and by the end, I saw tears streaming downs his cheeks. That was the first time I can remember seeing my grandfather cry. This one act of giving gave me such happiness and such a fulfilling feeling that it was unimaginable. This has been my greatest contribution so far.
I will also give my love. However, only a few will be given my hands-down, love. All of it. Hopefully, I’ll be able to find someone in the future who I can give this lasting gift to.
I completely agree with the 14th Dalai Lama. Everything on this earth was made to contribute to the world in some way, however minute. Every thing on earth has a purpose, if it didn’t, it would not have been created.
My legacy will probably be the tallest Asian girl you will ever meet that is guaranteed to keep you blithe and joyous. I WANT my legacy to be...the 5th tallest Asian girl you are likely to meet who is give you everything from happiness to chocolate East-nevermind! You’ll find out later!! =)
“Please swallow your pride if I have things
You need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
that you won't let show
Just call on me brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on”
-Lean on Me by the Temptations
LINDS!
I loved loved loved loved your CD.
Thanks Mols :]
So what do I do? When I first read this question, one word stood out in my mind. NOTHING. Of course, I don't do nothing. I do things all day, every day. But the monotonous grind of daily life can often make it seem like nothing. Really, though, I do a lot. I go to school, I hang out with friends, I watch TV, and I play sports, when I'm not eating or sleeping. Lost in this mundane cycle are the contributions I make each day, whether I consciously think about them, or am just acting on instinct. With the constant interactions with teachers, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, strangers, it is inevitable to contribute in some way, no matter how small, to someone's life. Our daily contributions are almost always found in the little things we do each day without even thinking. Opening a door for someone, asking a friend how they're doing, or even just smiling and waving to someone in the hallway can contribute to their mood in a positive way. We've all been at low points, times where we just want to be left alone and sulk. But how good does it feel, during those times, when a friend comes up to you wearing a beaming smile to rise your spirits? These are the contributions we make to each other day in and day out, priceless donations that take little effort yet can effectively pull someone out of whatever rut they happen to be stuck in. I think if I can make a few people smile or laugh each day, I've made a positive contribution that will come around soon enough.
My hope for the future is that I can continue to brighten people's day with small kindnesses, while striving to "contribute, in my own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world". As of now, I still feel like I have an eternity to decide on what my particular avenue of contribution will be, specifically. But each day, each week, each month, that eternity seems to be rapidly decreasing. Really, I don't have much time to decide what I want to do with my life. Soon enough, I'll be in college, preparing for my career. I've definitely not pinpointed a profession, but I've definitely decided that i want to help those less fortunate than me. I want to travel to third-world countries, to gain a greater appreciation for what I have and to improve the lives of others in any way I can. I haven't found "my calling" yet; I keep thinking it will start flashing on my computer screen or an owl will fly through my window with a letter attached to its leg. But I do know that I will use whatever it is to do what I can to contribute.
HH's quote is a sensical thought that applies to most creatures, humans and animals, with a few exceptions. All animals have a purpose; even the grimiest insect plays a role in the "circle of life". Most humans have good hearts, most generally care about the well-being of others. Some may be nearly completely narcissistic, but won't harm others that do no wrong to them. But there are always have been and always will be the scant minority, the true stains on humanity, that revel in the pain and suffering of others. Because of these creatures (who hardly deserve to be called human) HH's quote can not be applied to all the inhabitants of this earth. Their tenure's on this planet have never contributed to the beauty and prosperity of the world, but rather have detracted from it.
I greatly hope that my most influential contribution is yet to come, because as of now I feel that my contributions are few and meager. Up to this point in my life, my greatest contribution has been pretty simple; I try to make my friends laugh, to brightne up people's day when they're feeling down, and to have a generally positive outlook on life. I've began to realize how many blessings I have in my life, and that there is no reason for me to be upset. If I can make a single person's day better, I feel like it was a worthwhile time. In a way, that is what I want my legacy to be; when people think about me, they will remember someone who was willing to lend a helping hand, someone who really cared about others. To gain such a legacy, I need to prioritize others needs above my own. I am still too often concerned with myself and absorbed in my own life, but hopefully I can change that. When people think of me, I hope they will remember me in a good light, in a way that I wish to be remembered.
Brittt:
" I like everything about it. The reaction from the people, the attention, the act of actually telling the joke. It doesn’t even have to be a joke. It could be a sly comment or weird face. I like to think of it as brightening the day of other people and possibly taking them away from whatever they are stressing over. "
Hahaha, I think your whole aura is just funny. You definitely brighten up my day, ESPECIALLY when you are talking nonsense. I can just look at something, then make eye contact with you, and just start cracking up. Hahaha, YOU FUNNY. YOU SO FUNNNNY. =P
Btw, I listen about 75% of the time of the bus. Sometimes I just turn on my music, and you don't even know...MUAHAHA!! <333!
I'd just like to point out that I was really prepared to say, "I'm only 16! What change could I have possibly made in the world?"
However, it seems as if this response isn't an option. Blast!
I haven't really been actively seeking a way to change the lives of others, and although I'm sure I've had some sort of impact on those who surround me, I think that they'd be better suited to answer this question. I do, however, think that I'm sort of the "downer" of the class, because although I firmly believe that everything I say is simply a reality check, it's been brought to my attention that my "prevailing negativity is a hazard to the wellbeing of the rest of the class." For this, I apologize. I suppose that a damaged "wellbeing" would be an effect that I've had on others, but I'd like to think that I've imparted something a little less depressing on my peers. I think that I've said some fairly insightful things during the time spent in sunny Oakcrest, and although some of them may have been controversial or unfounded, for the most part, it seems as if I've opened the eyes of many classmates. Now, I'm not saying that I've single-handedly managed to persuade the people around me into thinking exactly the way that I do (because anyone who's heard the arguments I've had with Jordan and Matt Capone know that this is certainly not the case) or that I've caused some great epiphany in their lives. What I mean by that is that even if someone argues with me to the bitter end, I've still helped them formulate their ideas and opinions on a particular matter. No matter how disgusted or against their argument I may be, I'm still inwardly pleased to be having an intelligent debate with another person. I hate people who don't have their own ideas, or who are weak-minded and self conscious about expressing themselves. For this reason, the fact that I am able to help others strengthen and establish their ideas (no matter how convoluted the process may be), is consolation enough that I am doing what I can to make the world around me a better place.
As for what I will do, I'll probably continue on aruging and debating with others just like I always have. It's just in my nature to do these things, which, I suppose, makes the impact that I have on people all the more important to me- it's not like I wake up every morning and set out to better a certain person's mindset by arguing with them about something. Any angry interaction that I have with another is purely impromptu, and for this, it is that much better.
As for what legacy I want to leave?
..... >:D
Well, now that you mention it, I really would like to be remembered
as someone with a purpose (although just what this purpose is, exactly, is still a mystery). I'm so often tangled up in the deadly web of unanswerable questions like "What the purpose of my existence?" or "How did we come to be, and what do we exist the way we do?" and other equally aggravating questions along those lines. I absolutely loathe these questions with the firey passion of a thousand Egyptian sun gods (yes, I just said that. Flashbacks from last year, anyone?), but, unfortunately, I'm condemned to ponder them during all times of the day. I really have no answer to such questions, but I do have two prevailing theories:
1) Our lives, for the most part, are meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
2) We will never know why we are here or what our purpose is.
Depressing thoughts, no? Which is why, I think, that it is so important for us (well, me in particular, because I've sort of tailored my solution to fit my needs) for us to give our lives purpose. Unfortunatly, I'm not really sure how to explain this in a way that everyone will understand. Like many other things, this is one thing that I simply can't write about- not because I don't wish to, but because there is simply no verbal translation for what I'm trying to say. So, I'll leave it at this:
Somehow, some way, I'm going to break out of this sea of mediocrity and meaninglessness, and give myself a purpose in life. And when that day comes, everyone will know it.
Fiona: Awww, I love being an older sibling! Although I don't think I set a very good example for my little brother. I encourage him to correct his idiot teachers and shun his less intelligent peers. No joke.
Dan P: Nikola Tesla <333 That's my boy!
Janiru - Your thoughts on how everyone contributes, even the most horrible people, definitely swayed my opinion. I was thinking simply of the atrocities committed by such people, and not of the good that can actually arise due to such situations. Though people will continue to kill and steal, there will always be more willing to reach out to the victims.
What do I do? Well, currently, my job consists of being a junior at Oakcrest High School, but I'm not even close living up to my potential. I'm hesitant and unsure of myself, even though I know I shouldn't be. I try to help people, even though sometimes my impatience sometimes stops that from happening ha ha. I think way too much. About everything. Especially the future.
As for the future...
Honestly, the future freaks me out (Ha ha, props to Motion City Soundtrack). It really really does. When I was young, in elementary and middle school, I was one of the "smart" kids, who always got good grades without trying too hard. I wasn't particularly one-sided towards one field of work, i.e. math and science, or language arts and history. I liked it all, including music and sports. The horizon was interminable, and there were thousands of possibilities. Then, high school came. High school forces you to think of the future, a vast abyss of the unknown. It feels restricting when a guidance councilor asks, "What's going to be your major?" or "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Well, if it were up to me, I would want to be a marine biologist, a piano teacher, an English teacher, a sports broadcaster, a journalist (and/or photographer) for the Smithsonian, a softball hitting instructor, a UN worker, etc., etc. That's what I want to be. Is there a major that covers all of that? I don't think so...
It frustrates me to think that I have to pick one, maybe two if I'm lucky. What the heck. So, instead of "future jobs," I'm going to think of the person I will be, and the things I hope to accomplish.
Why am I here?
Well, for the future I want to be a genuinely nice person- someone people can trust and rely on. I want to be here to help others, but I want to be able to rely on myself as well.
I do believe in HH's idea about contribution. It's a mind-boggling concept, but I think it applies to everyone and everything. Some people may argue that there are "bad" people and "bad" things in this world (which there are), but that only makes the beautiful things all the more precious. Also, I think that the hope for the "bad" things to get better is ALWAYS there, which is also a beautiful thing. It's all about perspective... basically, it's about if you are a pessimistic or optimistic person.
I think I've affected the people that I've met. Some people may think that I'm crazy, others weird, but hopefully most think that I am a happy person. I try to find the good in things, and I hope the people I meet appreciate that. Because sometimes that task can be extremely hard due to certain circumstances. Of course my bastion breaks down, and I wear my emotions on my face or general aura, but I'm only human and that is bound to happen. But I'm hoping to spread this mindset to the people I meet because honestly, it is the only way to live life. I'd rather hope for impossible dreams than drone about in the reality of things. I'm aware of this "reality," but I refuse to think that it won't change. It has to.
There exist no bit of doubt in my mind that everyone serves a purpose on earth, one which will better all of us in some way or another. No, I'm not saying this is what or think or that is what I believe. I am TELLING everyone this is how it is. It's a bold statement. But it's true. If you refer back to any major figure in history at any particular time, you'll see they all contributed in some way. It may not be a direct contribution that we recognize but all of them, whether they were dark figures or glowing refuge, helped man kind in some way. I may be arguing for this fact partially out of my insight into goods dominance over other forces, or some of it may even be a slightly spiritual influence. All the same, we all serve a purpose in the dominion righteousness holds over the universe.
That was the easy part. The hard part was trying to figure out exactly where I fit into my own statement. I had a bunch little instances I could nib at but I had nothing I could really lay a definite grasp on. Then I sat back and tried to think about all my ideas and I don't even know if this defines what I do.
I like to think my purpose, at least thus far, has been to soothe constructive people in some way. I'm using these two words very loosely, if you can't tell. Especially considering the fact I even come off so destructive and brutal. I didn't really think they made sense either until I considered the words in all it's possible meanings. It took me a while to realize how right I was when I first thought of the words. For some people, it has been a literal sense of the word. Whether it be some girl I'm close to having a hard time or a teammate diminishing themselves for whatever reason, I found that I can be sensitive to them in some way. I always hate seeing someone torturing themselves emotionally. It is the worst when I know the person dearly. Sometimes I just worry when I see someone not smiling. Almost every time, I try to help them in some way. I try to build them back up, as to soothe their spirit.
With that comes the other idea of soothing and constructing. I like to think that in some way, especially when it's an athletic situation. I could act as a figurehead for people to stand by. Almost to stand as a beacon of light. Usually, I like to think this comes in the form of leadership. If I can get a bunch of guys rallied up and relentless, they can do anything. They just need someone to show them how to be that way. Rather than being nervous or demoralized, I like to make them into something greater. Something that can achieve. It doesn't just stop at athletes. It can be someone who doesn't know where to go, literately of figuratively. I hope that I can help keep themselves under control and know exactly where they should go. That could even mean standing as something they don't want to be. It doesn't necessarily mean they have to model what I do. I hope that by standing as some kind of figure they can at least find themselves and add their own contribution to our universe.
My last instance probably stands as my most infamous. I hope that by some might, I can soothe people to keep them calm and happy. When you think about that statement, it makes sense why I always try to grab everyones attention or just randomly blurt out non-cohesive statements or even make weird nosies. I try to do it as much as possible, and as much as I can when the moment is intense in some way. Whether it be the middle of a test, a very depressing moment(when fitting), or even right before some huge event. For example, let's say we have a lit-term quiz and we all get it. If I feel myself and everyone else getting all bewildered by the moment, I may blurt out something like, “Ah, shit, this is going to suck” or “fuck!!” or “buddha beeda binga”. With any of that stuff, about 93.44342679725354% of the time I will get people to lighten up for a change. I'll do it a lot in life just so the people around me will chill, if only for a few seconds. I even do it during Lacrosse just so everyone stays light-hearted and will not stress about messing up. By this humorous nonsense, even if the person just laughs because they think I'm an idiot, I can at least get them side-tracked for a moment, so that what ever they might be worrying about is forgotten for a sweet second. Then they may clam down for a change and think better about what their doing, whether it be a test or figuring out a relationship.
Personally, I don't care if I have a legacy. For all I care people can disregard be after I'm gone. However, If I could leave behind something I would hope I inspire other people to help each other and do great. Maybe not necessarily through my un-orthadox methods but with the general idea behind them. That's all.
We will all make the world a better place, whether we intend it or not.
Devon, I was just reading your blog, and I noticed that we said the EXACT opposite things. You, one on hand, think that every life has purpose and meaning, whereas I, think that they don't.
My question for you, then, is what do you consider to be a purposeful life? Is it affecting the life of one, or the lives of many? I guess it all comes down to persective in the end.
Someone just died right now. Do you know? Do you care? What was their purpose?
I fail to see the purpose of life, and I won't admit to being the expert on matters such as these, and.. I lost my train of thought. Gosh darn it Jordan. You're IM distracted me.
I'm not done with this Dev, but I feel like this is a conversation for a different day. I hope you're feeling better, love! :)
Hayley said...
"Whether it is a matter of worldwide importance or a simple favor for a friend in need, you contribute more to those lives than you may realize. We all add our very own uniqueness to this melting pot, which can turn into a positive and a negative thing at times. But even so, we make this place even more beautiful and prosperous without even trying."
I love this. It is so true. Even the smallest impact can be made on anything... even if it is "a simple favor for a friend in need." Beauty is a natural thing of this life. All we have to do is open our eyes.... great blog girly! :)
Megan: I KNEW IT!!
...whatever =)
Shmolly:
"Today I was scheduling my classes, and my guidance counselor asked me what I wanted to do. And I immediately thought back to this blog. It is scaring to think that in four years, which will fly by as quickly has high school has, I will be a junior in college, thinking about what I will be doing for the rest of my life."
The same thing happened to me!! I completely agree with your point, and I don't think that those guidance counselors should be able to shove you into whatever they want like that.
My little brother is the person I love most in this world. He’s only two years younger and is actually taller than me, but I’ve thought of myself as his mentor since we were toddlers on the soccer field and I would give him tips on how to play. We’ve done everything together, and I’m always trying to set a good example for him. Needless to say, I’m his big brother too, so I constantly pick on him and beat him up on a daily basis, but it’s out of love, so it’s O.K. Yet no matter what I do to him, I believe that my greatest contribution on this planet is to be a god role model for him so he can be successful in life. My brother and I live off each other…literally…we share shirts and food. But besides that, we follow each other’s habits. If I start playing some new video game, he starts playing. If he starts watching some new T.V. show, I start watching. If I do crew, he does crew. We follow each other in circles and move through life like a hurricane. When the Dalai Lama says we are here to contribute something to this world, I can’t help but believe in his statement. My contribution to my brother is evident everyday so I strive to make it a good one.
On a more selfish note, I myself am hopelessly hopeful. I don’t mean to sound haughty, but I honestly believe I have the ability to change the world. Ever since I was a little kid something inside told me I was going to do something great. And as cliché and nerdy as that sounds, my burning passion to do something tremendous still exists. I don’t know if it’s a cure for cancer or an epic novel, but I think I have something great in me. What scares me is when this time will come. Right now I’m hopeful, my life can go in just about any direction. But when the time comes for me to step up to the plate and do something with my life, I don’t know if my hope to do something amazing will transition into something amazing.
Yet at the same time, I feel like I fit the saying, “Young and Hopeful” perfectly. There are a billion things I can do with my life, and about two of them will lead me to something great. I’m a logical guy, and those odds suck. If I don’t end up doing something amazing I wont be crushed because I’ll end up changing the world in a small way. I think the Dalai Lama is right, we’re all here for a reason whether we know it or not.
Who I am today and what I aspire to be is due largely in part to the people I've come across in my life. My role models have influenced me heavily. From my work ethic to my student council hours, I'm thankful I've encountered some amazing people through out my years. The idea from HH that individuals are on earth for purpose holds true in my case. I think I'm here to continue a role model cycle. My purpose in life is to influence. To inspire someone to be a role model for someone else. I clearly recall my first student council meeting and the awe which the accomplished seniors left me with. They were everything a meekly freshman aspired to. They were leaders. They were role models. Everyone looked up to them and followed their example. I'm not alone in this feeling. Current board members today still recall how they looked up to those same seniors and how they wanted nothing more but to be just like them. So far, during high school, I've been a freshman orientation peer leader (twice) a JC at Mini LTC and held various other leadership positions. I remember the first time I felt like a good influence. It was after school during a decoration meeting. Not many people showed up, it was only a few freshmen and me. As we cut out various decorations from construction paper, they were pretty talkative. They asked me lots of questions, about my life, high school, student council. Instead of ignoring or acting like they were nameless freshmen, which I'm sure some upperclassmen would have done, I was friendly and personable. I answered all there questions and asked them about themselves in return. I chatted with them until some other upperclassmen came into the room. In a snap the once chatty freshmen were silent as could be. When tHe upperclassmen left, about ten minutes later, the freshmen started chattering about, almost instantly. I realized something. Their reaction to the upperclassmen was classic freshmen fear When freshmen are intimidated by upperclassmen, who can be cold and unsympathetic to freshmen, they clam up. I remember having the same reaction my freshmen year. I think they were comfortable talking to me because I'm friendly and someone they want to talk to. I'm a good role model. I'm well rounded. I'm involved in athletics, art, academics, community service. I have another year left at Oakcrest, which means I have another year to help and lead others, just like I was led my freshmen year. But even after high school I want to continue being a leader. One of major ambitions is to be editor-in-chief of a major magazine. If I had my choice I would work at a highly read magazine, like Vogue or Seventeen. Those magazines have dedicated readers who take the magazines words to heart. At Seventeen I would be able to guide millions of teenagers, offer advice and words of wisdom while they wade through their teen years. At Vogue I could influence fashion, culture, and the world in unimaginable ways. I'd control the trends, what's in or out. This in turn effects things like economy and even how middle America dresses.
I like to see people happy. I like making someone's day a little brighter. As a role model, I strive to make a positive impression, on the world, on everyone I meet. That is my contribution to society, that is why I'm here.
Janiru: yopurs was one of the very view I skipped over before I began writing. Of course yours would be the one i share the same opinion on. At least the idea of everyone being a contributer to the world and it's good. Good thing I didn't use my Hitler idea, otherwise we'd have some confusing copyight infringement(on a blog?).
Carly: "I feel that you can positively and negatively affect people. I would hope that I would never drive anyone to drink or do drugs or something ridiculous like that, and I don’t think I'm capable of that. At the least, if people can learn from my mistakes and make their lives one step better, then I can feel somewhat accomplished."
I totally agree with that. This is why, especially as the future leaders of our generation, we have to watch what we do. No one here really understands how much we influence some people. Think about it: "If all the smart kids are doing it, I might as well drink and drive, too. It must be O.K. They know what their doing." Unforntunately, that's what some people think. Though I don't think any one here is dumb enough to do that.
Erik-
"My hope for the future is that I can continue to brighten people's day with small kindnesses, while striving to "contribute, in my own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world"."
Aw Erik that is really nice! I think it is so important for people to focus on being kind to one another because that will help make the world a better place. Everyone has the capabilty to do one or more small kind deeds every day and not only do they help make you feel good, but they are benefitting someone else as well.
To Maegan
"I do, however, think that I'm sort of the "downer" of the class, because although I firmly believe that everything I say is simply a reality check, it's been brought to my attention that my "prevailing negativity is a hazard to the wellbeing of the rest of the class."
First of all, I just want to say that made me laugh pretty hard. Second of all, your opinions on life might just be the best thing that passes through my head on any given school day. Your not negative, you're realistic, and while we may not completely agree on some things I utterly respect everything you have to say.
I have to think that I will contribute to the world. I must leave some mark behind me. The world must hold more of a mark than shifting sand. And everything must leave some change, some trace behind. But it may be impossible to measure or predict. (Which is why we should kill nothing without cause. Even if compassion does not move you, the slightest insect may have as much influence on your life as a human.)
I’ll be a nameless character, but one everyone will remember: the crazy lady at the beach, who goes around feeding the seagulls. It’s not the most important niche I can think of, but it needs to be filled nonetheless. We need someone to understand the wildlife, to understand the world, to teach it all to other people. Someone needs to learn the names of the trees, the properties of the flowers. Someone needs to know the proper way to handle a squirrel or a gull. Other people will become politicians, presidents, CEOs, doctors, lawyers, schoolteachers, but no one else seems to have the background or inclination to wander the woodlands, teaching and learning. The knowledge could be lost so easily, and no one would notice for years. But, ultimately, it would be missed. And once it’s gone, it can never be found again.
And I’ll guard the lost books, the eclectic writings, the forgotten tales. Someone has to. The greatest works are not the most widely read, and will slip away into nothingness if they aren’t closely watched.
What effect have I had? I hope a fairly minor one. I’m not a good influence. My ambitions are too strange for anyone else to adopt them successfully. But I think I’ve affected a few people.
Mostly I just teach the names of the trees. I don’t think the names will stick, but the notion that they HAVE names, that trees are more than a part of the scenery, will. It will open their eyes, I think. The friends who I’ve taught here were born to houses, to computers, to books and song, but never the outdoors. They cannot stand the smell of the sea. Insects are things to be crushed, for them. I think that I’ve opened their eyes a little. But it’s hard to tell.
And then there’s the kid from the Renn Faire. He was one boy, selected at random from the passing crowd to join in a dance demonstration. He was my partner for two dances before the class dispersed, and he stayed by my side for the rest of the Faire. We traded e-mail addresses afterwards, so that I could send him the photos.
And we talked online for a while. Then he asked me to call him. He gave me the number with the directions “They’ll answer (something or other) child services. Just ask for Victor. I’m living in a group home right now: I made some stupid decisions, and got myself in there.” He went on to say that I was the only girl he cared about.
I didn’t call, but I didn’t stop talking either. What was the probability that he would turn out to be from a very violent, troubled home? Everything he tells me about his childhood is horrible. And he doesn’t have any memories before age 10. He swears that talking to me helps him, and I hope it’s true. So I answer my e-mail, but I won’t tell him what state I live in. I don’t know any other way to handle him.
When I think of who I am and what I’ve done to or for other people, I feel disappointed with myself. I don’t feel like I am copping out. I feel like I am being honest with myself. I cannot claim to have started a non profit organization to help center city slums rise from the criminal roots. The only thing that I can claim to have donated to the world is my sense of humor. If I can make one or two people happy every day, I feel that I have changed their outlook on life. If they choose not to get in a fight or to do their homework assignments because of me, I feel that that day was worth living.
I plan on keeping my sense of humor which will not only help me in life, but hopefully will help others also. Outside of my own personality, I hope to donate my time to a good cause. Far too many people are neglectful of the needy. I figure that I can put all of my personal assets to work whether through one on one interaction via soup kitchen or building a place where the needy can eat and sleep. Either way I would make a difference.
The HH’s idea, like so many other Asian philosophers advice, is one of the most important lessons one can learn. Too many times do I find myself completely disgusted by the utter disrespect for each other and the school we spend most of our time in. Gum on the floor, messes in the bathroom and dirty hands on doorknobs, Oakcrest is a crock pot of germs and diseases. To blame is the students. They do not realize that they are part of this micro system that is Oakcrest High. Students and teachers should be nice to the people around them. The climate of the schools is dependent on the mood of the people in it. If they are happy, the school will be a happy place. This will make people want to come to school. It will no longer be a chore, but a way of life.
My legacy will be associated with my personality, hopefully accompanied by a generous reputation of giving to the needy and respecting everyone I’ve come in contact with. These things are not that out of reach. I believe that everyone should try to fulfill these minimum requirements. I would love for my legacy to be somewhat like Oprah, but a white male version that is more involved in the United States economic and social conditions instead of the problems in Africa. Given Oprah’s wealth, which I hope to accumulate a portion throughout my life, I would offer worthy high school students scholarships. I think I would like to be known for that.
Fiona: You've always been the Eldest Sister to everyone you interact with. But I second your motion not to actually have biological children. There are already too many children who never have a chance. It's much better to give them a shot than to create more creatures to shove them down.
“You ever look a picture of yourself, and see a stranger in the background? It makes you wonder how many strangers have pictures of you. How many moments of other people’s life have we been in? Were we a part of someone's life when their dream came true? Or were we there when their dream died? Did we keep trying to get in? As if we were somehow destined to be there or did the shot take us by surprise? Just think, you could be a big part of someone else’s life, and not even know it.”
The little excerpt above was originally the declamation I chose to recite to the class. I have since changed it, but it really reminded of this blog. I think about this often about the people around me. If I never met a Michael Nanfara or if I never met a Maegan Reese or if I never met “blank blank”, where would my life be? See, I believe that every exciting, miserable, joyful, scary experience that I have spent with my friends, family, and even strangers has brought me to this exact moment right now. And without one of those memories whether good or bad, my life would have taken a different course. So as for the Dalai Lama, I believe in his idea of contribution as well. Every person affects everything that they come in contact with from the day of their birth to beyond their death. It’s possible to change someone’s life in a negative way, but know that somewhere else you changed it for the better. The balance of things is what ultimately makes the world truly beautiful and prosperous.
I can’t help, but admit that the statement, "I'm only a teenager--I haven't done anything yet" immediately popped in my head as I was reading this week’s blog post. I know that I just finished speaking about my beliefs and how every person affects one another, but I never really took the time before to think about how I fit into that scheme of things. So, now I will begin.
I go to school everyday just like everyone else. And I’m also a daughter, a sister, and a friend like many of you. If you really get to know me though, you know that I am beyond those labels. I go to school everyday hoping to get a laugh in so it can make my day better, but I think I can crack a joke here and there too! I love making people laugh whether they’re laughing at a joke I said or just simply at me. It’s true when they say that laughter is the best medicine. Even when you’re all about gloom and doom, laughter can brighten up your day.
The strange thing about me though is that I am pessimistic at my own heart, but optimistic at the hearts of others. I constantly try to find the good in people. A person can drive me over the wall or get me so angry that I want to punch through that wall, but there is always that one quality about them that makes me love them for who they are. You might wonder: “How is that contributing to anything?” Well, sometimes the odds will seem against you, but having at least one person see faith in you gives you hope. It’s awkward at times to say to a friend or acquaintance, “you’re really funny and that’s what I love about you” or “you’re really cool-headed and that’s what I love about you.” I know deep down though I’m making them feel good about themselves.
In general, I just like helping out other people. If someone needs me to explain the homework, I’ll take time to explain it to him or her. If you ever need a favor of me, I probably won’t ever turn you down. I think that that has been my greatest contribution so far. I’m here. Always here. And I want to continue to be there for others in the future. I want to do something that really makes an impact. I’ve been involved through school in different volunteer work, charities, and organizations that help others. I’m hoping that I’ll still remain very involved in the future on my own. I’ve thought about traveling to underdeveloped countries and donating my time there. As for a career, I’m leaning towards film, but that’s subject to change. Yet, even with film, I know I can still make an impact through the film’s message.
Hopefully, me legacy will turn out to be all that I talked about above. I still want to be known as the girl who made others laugh and the girl that you could always count on. I want to be remembered for all the good things I’ve done and none of the bad. It would be great to create an invention that changes the world or reciting an influential speech that changed the world. But even if none of that happens, I just want to be known as someone who lived her life to the fullest and did all that she could to contribute to the world.
Brendan A:"I also eat foods that are likely to give me diabetes and end me before fifty."
Don't we all.
MBD:
"happy and good natured and full of cupcakes and jello and scrap-booking"
That is the epitome of perfection isn't it? The only things people cared about in seventh grade all seem so far away now.
I babysit. Thus far, my entire source of income is babysitting. In fact, I am babysitting now, but I like to believe that when I babysit I influence the kids that I hang out with. I attempt to not necessarily listen to the exact rules but I hold true to the spirit of the rules with the kids. This (I hope) teaches the kids how to work with figures of authority. I know that I get an understanding of how people think and how they work together. I also participate in band, even though I hate it. I do this because it is a second family. I am fortunate enough to have a family that loves and supports me almost all of the time (occasional screaming fits occur). However this family in school provides an endless stream of support and entertainment. Weather I need some moral support or someone to just listen to my meaningless complaints, a band member has a willing ear or even simply just soothing noises. In return I provide all of these things and many more. I am a confidant, a pillow or mattress, a shoulder, a mother, or even just a ride home. I act as all of these things to the members who seek me out, or I do my best to find someone who will do just as well if not better than I.
I yearn to start a family of my own, independent of a school or workplace in which I give and receive this support. Within this family I hope to give others the chance to learn what I have learned about other people through babysitting and band. Also, finding a job that inspires me and helps others is also high on the list.
Yes, I believe that every person and being contribute something to the universe. This exists in two ways, one where a human contributes something magnificent that changes the world, such as a cure for cancer and another so simple as a pet dog licking the tears off your face and making you giggle. Both of these things make the world a better place and both change lives. One changes millions of paths while the other only a few steps on only one journey. But they still alter lives for the better. These contributions may seem on one level to be negative, but there is always a silver lining – you just have to find it.
Contributions from everything make sense; spirits only fail to influence others if they do not exist. For even the tragic baby who dies without ever taking a breath influences the doctor or its mother and father to change the world the live in for the next baby to have a better chance at seeing a sunrise.
My greatest contribution so far has been as a pillow. Not simply as a fluffy sack filled with foam or feathers, but as a safety net or a comforting presence. I really can’t take away the monster on the other side of the bedroom, but some seem to think that I can. My ability to act as an inanimate object has helped many times in instances where a blankie or a pillow can operate as a shield or a hug. This is what I think my greatest contribution has been anyway. People don’t usually get to choose their own ‘greatest’ things. Usually they are dead.
My legacy stars on the Broadway production of “Life edition 1,000,000: Alison Carson” it also was never on Broadway. It shines in the center of my mind though. Happy people who believe in themselves and live to their fullest potential are the dominant impression of my legacy. The edges are blurry as to who will be happy or why, but in the center is a clear, focused, happy face beaming back at me.
I want my legacy to be what it is. I want to be happy with it, and I want others to be happy because of it. I don’t mind if my legacy lives on only in the minds of those who outlive me, but I’d rather have a legacy that changes other’s lives for the better in ways that I cannot imagine.
Ali B
Fiona – congratulations on your first first blog post. Also, wonderful blog I enjoyed your revelations about yourself and what you want to do and where you want to go. I already knew a lot of this, but it has never been compiled as such and paints a new image of you. Nice Job. : )
Life is a journey that will never be just one straight, narrow, long road leading to one destined path. There are many bumps, hills too high, slopes too low, winding roads, and detours. The bumps keep you awake and aware that you are on this earth for a reason. The hills make you work and struggle to the top. The low slopes have you slow down and not rush down the path. Lastly, the back roads or detours are a part of the puzzle that is for you to figure out. I have never believed that every person has their life mapped out for them. I think that life is what you make and no matter what you choose your destiny. I find myself currently in a detour. I have been fishing my way out of the craziness to get back on track.
So what do I do? I learn from the person that I used to be. The mistakes that I have made and ways that I have treated others in the past are a lesson. To have a heart full of regret is one thing that I struggle through and fight to change. I live every day learning from the previous in order to not repeat the past. It comes down to the fact that I would never be able to find the road again if I were stuck in the detour. The person that I am now always loves to hear laughs, wants to make others feel as though they mean the world to me, and I exist to be different. Maybe not necessarily in a uniquely different way but for every person that I surround myself with I am what they need. My friends like me for who I am now and that is the Meagan that people enjoy being around. It is the Meagan that I always was but was caught on a detour, thank God I hit a bump to wake my butt up and find the way out.
What I do and what I will do rely a lot on each other. What I currently do is learn from the past and I will always do that. The person that I want to be contributes more to others. Not only my friends but to everyone that I could possibly impact. I will be a coach, athlete, daughter, sister, and employee that strives for greatness. I want to make a difference. The one regret that would hurt more than anything is to not have impacted anyone on this earth throughout my entire existence. In any circumstance I want to be the person that people can turn to. The one that others can depend on and look to for advice.
I agree wholeheartedly with HH’s idea about contribution. If we all took something away from each other imagine the successes we would have. Every single person on this earth has something to contribute. It may be one thing to learn from, one thing we should all be aware of, or one thing that can change lives. It is one thing to contribute something but it is another for others to prosper from your contribution. I don’t think that it is impossible, but I do see it as a difficult task. The contributing part is the least of worries and if through your contributing it actually affects others then you are a success.
I see my biggest contributions so far as my mistakes. I think that we all know the person that we either want to be or actually are and therefore we have ideas of good characteristics. I think that my mistakes are what we can learn from. I hope that others are never bitter over life’s disappointments and never turn away everyone who has ever been there for them. Trust me it takes time to gain everyone’s friendship back. Learning is what we do and to know that others are aware of everything that they don’t want to be through me I feel as though in a way I did make others better people.
My current legacy would not be the legacy that I would want. The fact that I do not wish for this legacy only brings to my attention the things that I still need to work on. People would remember me as the girl who lived for softball, was a funny girl, and someone to learn from. The legacy that I wish to have is to be remember as the person who gives others faith and hope. I want to be the friend that everyone always wants to be around, the daughter that parents dream of, the sister that others envy, and the player that every team lacks.
Skillary-(hil)
“I try to find the good in things, and I hope the people I meet appreciate that.”
You took the words right out of my mouth in all aspects. I feel like your parents have taught you so well that your concepts reflect a person with a great outlook on life. I wish I were as positive as you and you are right, it is all about your perspective and I think that a persons perspective tells a lot about them. I am not quite sure that you even realize how much we all rub off on each other on the field but one thing that I always take from you is your upbeat and positive attitude. To the quote that I have above….. If anyone who meets you does not appreciate how you find the good in things then they are missing out.
While I know that as a punk ass teenager I have not made much of an impact upon the world yet that does not stop me from trying. So what I try to contribute most to society is simply to be as polite, humanly, and courteous to as many people as I can. More specifically to strangers because I have not had time to judge them and get annoyed by how stupid they probably are. However despite my cynical views of the world around me I still try to do my part. It is never anything major just a nice gesture here and a good deed. Much like the movie pay it forward except I don’t expect others to pay it forward because we live in America.
Honestly I do not expect to change the world by being overly polite to people. If you think about it this should not even be considered a nice act but should be considered common decency. However in today’s world, as sad as it may be common courtesy towards fellow human beings can be as scarce as rice in a third world country. Nevertheless a good deed goes a long way, especially in today’s society.
As for His Holiness, The Dalai Lama I can’t say I was ever a fan. Not that I have anything against him, I just like to think of Jerry Garcia as the equivalent of His Holiness. But I do agree with the Dalai Lama when he said "The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world." because that is exactly what we are here to do. No one could have said it any better, not even Kurt Vonnegut. The whole purpose of the animals and the Human Race specifically is to coexist with Mother Nature, and to try to live peacefully on this earth with each other. Unfortunately the experiment that is the human race has ultimately failed in achieving this goal.
As or my legacy, I would merely like to be remembered as someone who tried their hardest to better the lives of those around me and in turn my own life. So basically what it all boils down to is that I am, for lack of a better word, a Humanist. For those of you who may not be familiar with humanism it is defined by the American Humanist Society as “a progressive lifestance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity." Or as Kurt Vonnegut (who was honorary president of the AHA in 1992) put it “I am a humanist, which means, in part, that I have tried to behave decently without any expectation of rewards or punishments after I'm dead.”
As for me I simply want myself to be the best person humanly possible.
I’m not so sure if I’m about to answer this blog the way the question was intended, but I’m going to try.
What do I do? I’ve spent a lot of time this week thinking about how to answer this piece of the question. I think that I do what almost high school juniors do: eat, sleep a lot, and be a good student. This may not sound like much but it’s all I’ve got and it is pretty helpful. By eating and sleeping I stay healthy and able to go through my daily routine. By being a fairly good student I contribute to allowing the world hope for a better future.
As for what I will do, I can’t be too sure. It’s one thing to ask what you will do versus what you want to do and answering that is such a thin line to straddle. I can’t really say what I will do though, can I? I mean, I’d love to be like I will be the world’s richest woman but that isn’t likely and it’s not what I will do that’s more of what I want. I don’t think I can answer what I will do because I don’t yet know.
Now HH’s idea about contribution is also a bit shaky -in my mind at least. I would “why yes, I completely agree with this theory”, but that would be called lying. I do, however, agree slightly. I mean, yes I do see a clear purpose to some humans, but all people are different. Then you have your animals. What would their purpose be? You have the animals that get slaughtered and the ones who are free to live their lives; if there were a clear purpose for each wouldn’t all of them be set out to the same fate? I’m going to stop here though because I am a little confused from here on.
I think that the most important thing I have done so far is completely non-intentional…that’s okay right? People see me and hear the story of what happened to me-the whole almost dying junk- and they have their faith restored. I know that’s a little dramatic, but it’s also true. Take my sister for instance; she was a total wet blanket until 2005. In 2005, after she was put through six months of trepidation and neglect (due to my parents’ attention being on me) she recognized that life was short. She saw that I made it through though and applied this method to her life. She does things for the fun now with no fear. Reckless? A little…but I think it was really a good change and I would say that I was the cause of it.
My legacy? Oh, I don’t really know. I guess it’s kind of like the “what will you be” question; I’ll try to answer though. I guess my legacy might be my stubborn nature. I mean this in a way where I assume that because I am so determined to do something and to stick to it until it’s done correctly that I will continue to strive until I achieve some awesome goal of mine. This sort of leads into what I want my legacy to be. I want my legacy to be something unique, that only I will be remembered for. That’s why I don’t want the stubborn thing to be it, but it probably will, knowing me.
Fiona
Wow. You kinda sorta make me feel like I don’t do much at all- in a nice way though. You do a lot for society and for others. You are really selfless. As for HH and how you agree with it whole-heatedly, I understand why you would say that. From reading your blog you absolutely have a mind that seems to coincide with this theory. I don’t necessarily agree with you, but at least I’m willing to accept it.
One of the great and most fascinating things about the human mind is the fact that the perspective it encompasses is always different. Hence, with this notion, such aspects as beauty and happiness can no longer be solidly defined; they remain perspectives
-Ashley
You really couldn’t have said it any better! It’s not simply the fact that as humans we all see life from different point of views, but also the fact that with each perspective, it is subject to change and evolve. One idea or one action no longer appears the way we used to perceive it, now it is different, for better or worse. Because of our perspectives always changing in life, I’m not so fearful of the spot I find myself in right now because soon enough I’ll find the right perspective on it.
Meg Song-
Amazing blog. I loved your explanation of giving, and how important it is. I think i picked your blog because i somewhat identified with it. I love that feeling of giving, and also get far too excited when giving. I think that's a good thing though. It is always so much better to give than receive.
Erik--
I really liked your blog. The part that stood out the most to me was "I greatly hope that my most influential contribution is yet to come, because as of now I feel that my contributions are few and meager."
I think that most people hope and feel this same way. I know I would be pissed if my greatest contribution was informing a class of animal neglect in 11th grade. While I feel that's important for people to be aware of, I don't want that to be the biggest thing I have to offer to this world. But I'm sure that you, me, and everyone else in this AP lang class have a lot more to contribute than most people, especially in the future.
By the power of Grey Skull! I smite this foul question into oblivion! But not really since I lack a magical sword, giant green tiger and of course rippling pec’s and biceps.
I instinctively sheltered myself from this question by bringing to mind the obvious cop out. You know; one person can’t change the world, I’m only 16….wtfbbqsauce and such. These are such ironic thoughts to have when we live in a society that idolizes the idea that one person can make or break the world. Why else would comic book heroes, masked vigilantes and other various suits rise to such popularity in the cinemas? It’s because from childhood to pre-coffin people like to believe in more than what they see every day, they want to believe in a hero. And in the words of aunt may, “everyone loves a hero”.
I think we can all agree that it’s pretty easy to change lives when you’re a super hero. In fact that’s pretty much the answer to my blog. You see I’ve been expecting to get super powers for about the last three years. I don’t know when I’m getting them, but it’ll be epic when I do. And yes I used epic incorrectly. What is that Bunje, 40 maybe 50 points? Anyway I’m realistic, I realize that I’m probably not at the top of the waiting list for super powers so I’ll have to find another way that I can change lives….for now.
The idea of contribution seems perfectly acceptable. Every interaction you have indirect or direct will have some affect on the person you encountered. Maybe simply acknowledging someone in the hallway stopped them from committing suicide or maybe when you pretended not to see them, they proceeded to go home and slit their wrists. It seems to be a crazy and convoluted cycle because you can’t always guard your actions based on how you think others will respond to them. However I also believe in the chaos theory which can be interpreted to say that the chaos caused by all of these random interactions and reactions cancels out over time so none of it really matters. For me it’s a tossup but I like to think that I have an impact upon the people I meet.
When it comes down to it I know that I have a strong impact upon a lot of people…good or bad. Even in our day to day in class conversations I bring a perspective to the table that makes you question your own opinion, even if it’s out of the sheer ridiculousness of a statement I had made. And of course there are all the freshmen in my sports teams that awkwardly try o fit in by copying the actions of the upperclassmen which forever changes their personalities. Besides these everyday interactions the biggest impact I’ve had upon the world has been at the beach patrol. At the time I always considered it just doing my job but after countless times delivering a soaked and screaming 5 year old to a hysterically crying mother you start to realize that you’re doing something more than just looking out for yourself. I guess I could go so far s to say I’ve given people their lives back; however any other lifeguard would have done the exact same thing. The point is that while simply doing my job I as changing the course of a family’s life without even realizing it.
I think that says a lot about who I am that I wouldn’t immediately realize what a gift I’ve just given someone, to me it’s just something that I should’ve done. That’s why I don’t want to have some grand legacy of great actions that have inspired others to live better lives. Unless I get super powers then I don’t really give a damn. Aside from that I’d prefer to live my life behind the scenes. While everyone loves a hero I don’t think everyone would love the stress of being aero. Because when you have undertaken people to follow your lead you have become responsible for them, and that not something think I could withstand. As far as the legacy I have now I’m not sure where it is going. I think a lot of my classmates associate me with the whole seize the day label, but that’s not what I’m trying to impose upon others. I want the people I influence to meditate the ideas I give, not mirror them. I want to change the world but it has to be done not through the force of a hero but by the people themselves making the choice.
Brendan:
I was really looking forward to reading your response to this blog so I could understand what drives you to do the things you do. Unfortunately the mystery persists with your probably intentional skirting of the question by answering it literally and without any hint as to what the inner workings are. You’re ridiculous.
Ben:
I think you’ve caught the key idea of this blog, that every action we take can o a long way. Even if it is a simple smile or hello it can really change someone’s day. This is something we can all do with little effort, there’s no excuse as to why we can’t be friendly to someone especially when it has the potential of changing their life for the better.
Mike:
I WISH I HAD A LTTLE BROTHER! But I got stuck with three punk ass sisters. But I see this as an act of Karma, in exchange for my disappointing sibling selection I will be getting super powers any day now.
Bunje:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obIGsb-IZMo
mattyy- "Unless I get super powers then I don’t really give a damn. Aside from that I’d prefer to live my life behind the scenes. While everyone loves a hero I don’t think everyone would love the stress of being aero. Because when you have undertaken people to follow your lead you have become responsible for them, and that not something think I could withstand."
It's really funny that you say that because for some reason I can definitely picture you flying around in tight spandex rescuing and helping people haha. But you're right. I don't think I could stand the pressure of being a superhero either. Id rather just be a role model that influences others too.
I am here, and that is all that matters. Even by continuing with our everyday lives, every time we take a step, we are shifting the sands around us. And no matter what, this is a constant when it comes to contribution. Even the smallest of animals, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, oxygenarians, have a strange order, providing for each other through their life and their death (obviously not a reference to the Lion King). His Holiness is absolutely correct. Though we humans have screwed up most cycles to the nth degree, the idea of contribution is constant. We are an evolving society. Even if we fail to do anything beyond simply being there, we have done at least a small thing to impact the world.
Unfortunately, though we all contribute, I can’t say there aren’t situations where the “contributions” are negative, or are due to a path that has caused much harm. People like serial murderers contribute nothing good directly. Perhaps they have made it so we are more careful, more meticulous, but that cannot reverse the acts. No matter how perfect criminal science is, we cannot bring those people who died back.
But this is rare. Most people are not corrupted to this point. There is a chance to lift the world to a higher standard. Those who have the slightest kindness, slightest good will, can benefit the world. Now the question is: Have I done anything? Assuming I have some slight sense of good will, I’d say there is something that I have done.
I can’t say I’ve volunteered much, though it is somewhere in the two digit range. I can’t say I had some badass death scene (simply to return because the viewers complained). I have simply been there. I have no specific role. I am a friend. I am a person who tries to keep his spirit, and that of others up. Through simple actions, small acts, I slowly improve the world. Perhaps I can brighten up someone’s day, change their lives completely, or simply make them laugh. Perhaps I could rip them from a fire, save them from thugs, or simply teach them how to win rock-paper-scissors. It doesn’t matter. If I can spread a small sense of happiness, my job is done.
I can’t say I have a greatest contribution. It isn’t because of silly, “I haven’t done anything.” I simply believe that my contribution to the world is a culmination of small things. I have existed as a friend to many, always sitting there watching. I give this strange sense of calm “Ivan… ness” that seems to improve things. Frankly, I have no idea what I’m talking about anymore.
My legacy…
A man who had never given up hope in the world, no matter how difficult the situation. . A friend to many, a guardian to all. An ally of justice. And lastly, an idealist. I don’t care what I truly accomplish. Whether I can only help those around me, or th whole world. I want to be known as someone who has given his all. This is all that it needs to be.
Well, if you don’t understand me, it makes perfect sense. I’ve been sitting in front of my computer in a half-asleep stupor for three hours fumbling about to find strings of words that could form coherent sentences. My humor seems dulled too. Bah. I hate sudden attacks of fatigue. Good night everyone.
I thought about this all day while I was dying on the couch getting up twice an hour to run for the bathroom. I’ve never felt so sick my entire life. Anyway, I’m a great listener and I’ve always had many come to me with their own problems and situations. I’ve been the one that gave pretty good advice. Some people listen to it. Others ignore it. In the end, most respect it. Also, I’m the person that is able to influence someone’s mood easily. I thought about this all summer, too. I’m really not suppose to be here. With this fact, I feel like I’m living for a specific purpose. That’s to help people. I’ve been wanting to be a psychologist for a while now. I’m that crazy person that believes I can work in a Mental Institution and help patients with dealing with trauma that has occurred. I think I’m capable to do this because I was able to help myself with the traumatic experiences that I’ve been through.
I do believe in his idea of contribution because everyone has the capability to be eccentric in their own way. Everyone is able to make a difference. Even just one person standing a lone. I don’t think anything is really impossible. I guess I get this through from my parents because they always told me not to every say never. It doesn’t seem like nonsense at all because everyone has their own nitch in the quilt. It’s important to find it and apply it. My greatest contribution has been helping many of my friends stray away from suicide, make it through rehab, and just being the person to lean on. My legacy will lead on as the person who helped a tremendous amount of people in a short amount of time. I want my legacy to be that I changed the mindset of many and in fact changed the world.
Matt C:
"Every interaction you have indirect or direct will have some affect on the person you encountered. Maybe simply acknowledging someone in the hallway stopped them from committing suicide or maybe when you pretended not to see them, they proceeded to go home and slit their wrists. It seems to be a crazy and convoluted cycle because you can’t always guard your actions based on how you think others will respond to them. However I also believe in the chaos theory which can be interpreted to say that the chaos caused by all of these random interactions and reactions cancels out over time so none of it really matters."
I never heard of the Chaos Theory before. Now that is something I'll have to research. I liked your blog and especially where you said that you can't always guard your actions. That's very true. I don't think anyone would be happy if they always had to guard their actions and be aware of overly sensitive people.
Guess who it is?!!!?! I hope everyone hasn't forgotten about me yet!
When I saw this blog on Sunday, I thought to myself "I've done literally nothing to help the world...Yet." Now it's Wednesday and I'm sitting here thinking about all the good things I've done to contribute to this quickly degrading thing we call society. The good deeds that I have graced this place with during my nearly 17 years of life can be categorized by the few true purposes for my existence. I have the feeling that I am here to serve others as a model for perfection (no narcissism intended), a listener, the voice of cold truths, and as the entertainment. In all actuality I didn't even realize these were my true reasons for being alive until it came to me in a dream this morning, and also something Matt C. mentioned to me yesterday.
Well for starters lets get the arrogant sounding one out of the way. Now I know I'm not perfect. Not by a longshot. However I must say that I live life in the pursuit of one day becoming perfect. By doing so the world around me tends to look and think, "That kids got so much potential and success in his future." In reality I don't have either of these things. What I do have is the idea that perfection is an attainable and tangible product of my life's endeavors. All you have to do is think something is achievable and its possible. I know I don't come outright and affect everyone's life by believing in this, but secretly I do. By trying to be perfect, people see that and push themselves to keep up with me. Some do it marvelously, while others fail miserably. Either way I serve as this model of success for some of the people I come into contact with. Now that I think about it, the way I portray myself in the light of going for perfection actually makes others strive for it to. For instance, my arrogant haha-I-got-the-highest-grade-on-the-test antics after tests are returned causes everyone to get so fed up with listening to me, that they try harder to surpass me on the next test. Nanfara frequently does this, and whenever he beats me in something he exclaims "AHA BEAT YOU!" Too bad that rarely happens though.
My second contribution to the world is the fact that I tend to play God with everyone else's problems. Whenever any of my friend's really do have problems between each other, I tend to find out. This puts me in a such a position that I know why everyone happens to be angry at each other. In some causes it's horrible for me, but in terms of the world it's great. I serve as the vault of miseries for them, which doesn't sound very pleasant, but it is. Having someone to talk to about your problems is really what all teenagers really need, and it comes as an added bonus when its one of your peers your talking to. I know what they go through on a day to day basis, because as their friend I'm pretty much right by their side the entire day. It's also as if I help remove the weight of world from their shoulders and help carry the burden, considering once a friend tells me about there problem I go to pretty intense lengths to help it get solved. Usually always secretive though, since it wouldn't be much of a contribution if I was to just be someone that listens and mediates. Almost like a little secret ninja, sneaking into people's problems and then solving them when their backs are turned. Positive contributions to society don't come in a clearer form than that these days.
Moreover, not to sound like a little hoodlum or anything but I keep it real with everyone. I rarely sugarcoat things and I explain the truth to anyone that would like to know it. Just ask anyone my opinion on the lessers. Just ask anyone my opinion on morbidly obese people. Ask anyone my opinion about anything. They will tell you that I'm rather realistic about all of my opinions. It's just not in my nature to tell someone something because they are too sensitive to hear it. My nephew asked me when Santa was coming and I explained to him that Santa died about eight hundred years ago in England. Some girl was calling another girl a slut in the hallway to which I proceeded to remind her of how many guys she had been with. You get the picture. Some people see it as being an asshole. This reminds me of a time back during freshman year in which everyone that I was pretty much the second biggest jerk in our classes. Except Devon. She came up to me one day and said "Jordan, (she might have called me Jam Jam as many did freshman year) I don't think your a jerk. I just think your brutally honest." I'm sure your thinking how does this contribute to society, and watch I'll twist this one around like I do all my social deformities. The world needs people to be harshly realistic. Nothing is ever accomplished from living in a fantastical world where things aren't as bad as they really are. Just think how bad the world would be if President Bush would have walked on stage during September 11th, 2001 and said "Hey everybody, a plane just crashed into the Twin Towers, not that many people died though." It would have been catastrophic when people realized what the death toll really was, and thus caused them to want to riot. In society I am that cold bitter voice of truth, that will explain the situation to you exactly as it is without a optimistic or pessimistic view (however it seems the truth is largely pessimistic anyway). Ask some of my friends it's clearly a blessing to society to have someone who keeps situations as real as possible.
The final purpose that some higher being injected me into society for is to be the entertainment for those around me. Matt C. actually opened my eyes to this purpose. I'm literally the comic relief of society considering I'm a rather loose cannon and am very easily made fun of. Sometimes phrases or actions come out of me, that are just so off the wall people have to laugh. For instance, my hydroelectric cannon idea, which I must say is a genius idea. Everyone else just stares and laughs at me with the did-he-really-just-say-that-look on their faces. What Matt alerted me to is the fact that I bring everyone together with my silly antics and off the wall ideas. Yesterday I asked him how school was without me and his reply was "Boring. We are all angry at each other because with you gone all we can do is make fun of everyone else and everyone gets angry." At this point it dawned on me that everyone does frequently gang up on me to denounce my dumb arguments, which I must say always turn out right ("Peacocks can't fly"- Joe Seaman and Jordan Colbert) It's like 2010's favorite pastime. Why? Because I sit there and don't really care how stupid I look considering at the end of the day I usually get the last laugh. Society needs people to laugh at in a healthy way, and I tend to provide that healthy bit of entertainment. It's more of a two-pronged blessing anyone, on the grounds that it allows people to come together and all have a little bit of fun while also subtracting from the amount of people laughing at the wrongs things like silly deaths and the mentally disabled.
In the future I know for a fact I will only be contributing in two of the ways I am now, along with a third. The two that I plan on continuing are being a model of perfection, while still being the voice of the frosty truth. They aren't even continued out of acts of purpose either, I just don't see myself becoming perfect or delusional anytime soon. My third contribution however must remain classified due to my future occupation which cannot be disclosed at this time. Sorry for the cop out Bunj, but it says on the job description "telling people about your application to --------- will decrease your chances of acceptance." Let's just say my third contribution is keeping America safe at night. (Psst! Its being the new Captain America)
As much as I have written so far I'm sorry to say that I don't agree with HH on this one. Although I believe this teaching is true to some degree, I cannot agree with all of it. Some people have absolutely no purpose in life, except to piss others off. And before anyone says "Well isn't that a purpose!?" No it's not. Its so significantly unimportant that due to the ideals that the Keynes believe its relative importance is equal to being nonexistent. Seriously, I hate to say it but some people are just extreme wastes of human life and resources. I'm not giving examples on this one because I might insult someone or something and I'm not looking to do that. I just believe that some people clearly do nothing for the betterment of the human species in anyway shape or form. They are idle zombies in the path of society, just intended to slow down the world. In such cases their existence is utterly meaningless to me.
Now my greatest contribution so far is actually a really tough one. It's 11:30 and I've been doing this since like 9 and I can't place my finger on a single special contribution. I think the fact that I'm a friend/listener happens to be my greatest contribution to society. I perform a completely selfless act in the sense that I just want to rid some of the encumbrance of my fellow classmates. By relieving their stress I ultimately am making their lives more enjoyable. In this sense I'm actually just reaching out to make others happy, which unless the others happiness is dependent on killing off races or something I'm making society as a whole happier. A happy society means a grandiose contribution was made.
Janiru-
"In turn, people take sympathy with the family’s situation, and learn to take something out of it to better themselves. So to me, everyone contributes to this rather convoluted idea of being positively affected by someone else. Say, as a result of Party A (crazed killer), Party B (family) decided to make an organization to raise "Cannibal Chefs Awareness". You contribute to beauty and betterment of the world in that sense. You just spread the message that;
“killing people for food is bad!”
Say you’re Party C (anyone else). You decide to be affected by Party A and B, eventually deciding to be more aware, and (hopefully) make this world a bit more beautiful."
I don't know why, but this reminds me of the car part in Fight Club. How the main character (apparently he is Jack) is like "Take the number of cars on the road times by the probable rate of an accident times (something I can't remember right now) equals x. If X is higher than the cost of a recall we don't do one." Just thought that it would be nice to let you know your blog reminded me of the grim intricacies of car manufactures. And the greatest movie ever Fight Club.
Maegan-
"I absolutely loathe these questions with the firey passion of a thousand Egyptian sun gods (yes, I just said that. Flashbacks from last year, anyone?)"
Hahaha all I can hear right now is "Aaron! Jesus I hate you with the fiery passion of a thousand Egyptian sun gods!"
Matt C-
Dude your so angry in your blog! First your incorrect usage of epic. Then your ranting about your "punkass sisters". Stop it bro I'm in stitches!
I do my part for society through my job at Young's. Even if it's just teaching a six year old how to skate, or helping a kid find the bathroom, I get a certain feeling of well-being from my job. The kids seem to look up to me. I don't know how it happenned, but I'm sort of a role model for them. On the other hand, there are the disobedient teenagers who fail to follow all my simple rules, but I try not to let them get to me.
I'm going to be a psychiatrist. Really, they just get paid to listen to people's problems and prescribe the appropriate drugs. But they stick their necks out there. The people they council are often diabolical, and most wouldn't want to spend an hour with them alone in a room. Think of psychiatrists as indiscriminate friends.
I don't think all beings contribute. I'd like to think that, but I just don't think it to be possible. This is mainly because of the rather sub-par state of the world. If everyone was contributing to its livelihood, the world wouldn't be going down the drain.
In this life, my biggest contribution has probably been my sibling-like relationship with my little cousin Nick. He's a pseudo-brother to me. I see him all the time, and I've always tried to teach him all the stuff a big brother would. We've grown really close over the years. I've been there since he was first adopted almost ten years ago.
If I ever have a legacy, it'll probably be my ingenius "fart flavor pills." When you pass gas, it can smell like forest pine.
However, I'd like to be known as some kind of revolutionary poet. Even though it'll never happen, it's nice to dream.
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Oooh, Brendan just made me remember that I talked a girl out of suicide before. Yup. Oh, and I got her to stay sober for a whole month one time. That was tough stuff.
Jani:
A legacy is pretty much the only way to have life after death. Of course, you're probably right. You'll never know whether you were remembered or loved after you died. That's one of the few cons of death.....haha. Oh man, I just laughed about death. I'm sorry.
“You ever look a picture of yourself, and see a stranger in the background? It makes you wonder how many strangers have pictures of you."
-Kelly
-This is serious, but I couldn't help but laugh at this part because the softball team was thinking in Florida how many strangers pictures we were a part of. It's creepy.
Okay so I know this is wayyy late, but I wanted to respond to Maeg:
First, thanks. I feel a lot better :)
Second, you said the opposite thing as almost every person in our class, not just me. Haha. But I will answer your questions...
What do I consider a purposeful life? A purposeful life is one that impacts the world and the people in it in some way or another. It doesn't matter whether the influence is good or bad, small or large. Any impact counts as purpose, and it only has to affect the life of one person to count.
"Someone just died right now. Do you know? Do you care? What was their purpose?"
Yes, I know people are dying right now. No, I don't have a personal connection with them and therefore no, I don't care. However, if that person was somebody in my family or a close friend, a teacher, a mentor, then YES I would know and I would care. I would be able to tell you what their purpose was, because they would have no doubt had an affect on my life. That gives them purpose, doesn't it? Those people that are dying, well they are known by someone, somewhere. Right? Don't you think that they have contributed something just by affecting the lives of those around them?
And I'm sorry but I still don't understand how you can say that each and every person doesn't contribute in some way or another. It doesn't always have to be good, but there is always some type of purpose behind life.
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