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, which 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.
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. Maybe it's a friend, a sibling, a stranger on the street. Things that you may not even think twice about doing or saying can have an impact that changes someone's life forever. That's chilling and exhilirating and awe-inspring concept.
So, what will your legacy be? And more importantly, what do you WANT it to be?
When I wrote this I just had so much to say and it all seemed to mush together in a questionably coherent blog response so I apologize in advance if my thoughts seem to run into eachother/clash/not make sense! :P
ReplyDeleteI have never excused my age for my “lack of doing”. And I have never excused time (or lack thereof) for my “lack of doing”. I don’t have the gaping holes in my schedule, as most teenagers do, to invest time in good causes, charities, road cleanups, etc… However, amidst the things that I already do lay the potential in them to be sources of influence for other people. It is in this area where I have always idolized my mother, who was the first person to introduce to me the truth of my life- that I am a selfish teenager. She is the modern superwoman, balancing a business (at one time two), a family, classes, and a school board position. She is the most selfless individual, let alone adult, that I have ever known. And I don’t just say that because she is my mother. She told me once that she feels her purpose in life is to help people, and fulfilling that goal is what gives her the most happiness. This put my life into perspective, what exactly am I looking for at the end of my days? What kind of legacy do I seek in result of my influence in the world? Do I want to influence the world? Can I find bliss in being a self-pleasing individual?
The answer to that last one, I have found, is no. Though it is my passions that I fight most fervently for, I cannot help but feel my heart break for people who share struggles, in different forms, along the way. I live to uplift people, heal people, and soothe people. Help people. And the help that I’m speaking of doesn’t only exist in terms of emergency of physical aide. It can be mental rehabilitation, motivational growth, and that is what I want my legacy to be. Now, this does not reflect some inner desire to pursue a career in therapy or psychiatry, just my way of utilizing my characteristics (some of which being crucial aspects in life; determination, dedication, drive, etc) and infusing them in others.
In essence, I want to inspire people; through words, writing, friendships. I want to lift people from the dust and learn to pick myself up along the way; because in all this time speaking of downtrodden souls, I’ve forgot to mention that when I fall my whole world seems to tremble. And I try to do these things daily, in the way I communicate with people. His Holiness was definitely right in his theory of contribution, and my mother stands as the example of this which brought the truth to fruition. There’s a theory that in life, no matter what you’ve come to gain; wealth, riches, acclamation, it all means nothing if you have nobody to share it with. In a similar sense, any material or mental remnants or wealth or prosperity will only mean something to me if I’ve shared it with the world.
I am totally with you about the whole lack of time to do basically anything on any given day, thing. I feel that way all the time. And even though we dont talk that much I think its a really selfless idea that you want to pick people up when they are down.
DeleteYou've inspired people even today, you'll only get better at doing that.
DeleteI’ll never be able to know how I’m viewed from another perspective besides my own, but as far as I can tell, I think I’m a role model for others. I’m often asked questions like “What do you think about…” or “What did you do when…” never fully realizing how often people turn to me for advice. This may not be entirely true, but I think people idolize the way I handle things and the choices I make. When it comes to everyday things, I’m mostly just a student. People ask me for tips in school all the time, but that is not my contribution to “the prosperity of the world”. I’m an athlete, and many people ask me for information about exercise and health. For younger people, I tend to be a guide, and younger people tend to ask for advice on future planning. I am a lifeguard, so I guess that entails i’ve saved a life or two. But taken as a whole, I haven’t done much (I mean in the scale of things). I have a few rather distant friends, and as far as I can tell, I’ve had no huge impact on others. If only the angel from It’s A Wonderful Life could grant me the same gift as George Bailey.
ReplyDeleteThe important question, is what will I do. I want to become a doctor, so right there, I will be affecting hundreds of peoples lives. I think once I get out of the confines of High School, I will become a much more sociable person. Without having to go to classes for the majority of the day, learning about things I care very little for, and constantly worrying about grades, I’ll have much more time and energy to becoming a better person. Everyone is meant to leave a mark on the world. Some may choose not to, or to leave a negative mark on the world, but everyone has the option. It is definitely not nonsense, it just takes a little sweat and self-confidence. Maybe one day when I’m older, I’ll throw a huge government revolution or something like that. That will definitely leave a mark, for better or worse.
I’m sure I’ve had effects on all of you. Whether it’s profound or negligible. And I’m sure I’ve impacted my family. While I’m not so proud of the mark I’ve left so far, I know I’ll be capable of contributing in the future. For right now, I’m just warming up.
Today during the break of my chemistry lab, I was drawn to the window. It had been foggy and gloomy out earlier. Foggy days are lovely when you’re outside, and rain is nice too. But when I’m inside and the only light illuminating the school is the horrid incandescent lighting, I find myself struck with melancholy. My mood is absurdly directly proportional to how light it is outside, when I’m inside. But when I saw the fog had cleared and the sun had arrived, I couldn’t imagine not spending my four minute snack break anywhere else but by the window. James thought I was having an epiphany as I stood off to the side of everybody else, staring seemingly far off into the distance. But it was much simpler than that. On the first day of Spring, the tree outside of the room was budding. It was nice. I felt like I was outside, though I stood several feet away from a slightly cracked window that was impeded by a screen even more. It was pretty. There was no revelation. It was just nice outside.
ReplyDeleteNature and I are closely acquainted. I feel a very strong connection outside. I’ve taken a liking to reading against a tree in my backyard, pausing to relocate whatever nasty ticks and such crawl up my leg. I hug trees, combining my own axiom with my father’s, “Always been together, always’ll be together.” While my view on life is far too long and complex to explain here, Nature is fundamental. I perhaps feel a stronger purpose than some people, but considerably less society-oriented. I certainly feel as though everybody has a purpose, that life in general has a purpose, but I’m not sure it’s quite to like what HH said.
Quite often I am struck by realism, but romanticism always prevails. Life has a purpose, I’m sure of it. Whether or not it came about by pure chance, it doesn’t matter to me. If a life form’s only purpose is to further itself and preserve itself, then I can’t fathom the purpose behind there being life at all. Competition can’t be everything, because once there was nothing to compete with. Life was here before society, so I can’t logically connect the purpose of life with society. For me, and only me, the purpose of life is to fully experience everything and anything. That is one of the fundamental differences between a bacteria and a rock. No matter how little a tiny bacterium understands, if anything at all, in some way it is able to experience in a way a rock can’t.
I love so much that you feel so connected with the outside. And even though i usually am very uncomfortable with being outside, there is an overwhelming sense of calm that I get when I breathe in the freshness of the outside in the early spring. Today I was reading in my living room and i had basically every window and door open in the house and the aroma that overwhelmed the inside of my house was almost appetizing, it was so fresh.
DeleteIt may be hard to tell from that, but I have a very fully developed opinion and explanation for my previous sentence. It would just be beyond ridiculous for me to try to explain it. Possibly the only person here who has read it in detail is Schuyler (how long did that end up being, 16 pages or something?). It makes complete and utter sense to me, so I guess that’s all that matters. Basically, though it’s a crime to narrow it to this, the purpose of life is to experience every feeling. Feeling is measured not by name, but by depth of feeling. Pure sorrow is one of the most beautiful things. Sometimes not even bliss can compare. That’s why I think we’re here. In a universe full of substance, there needs to be something to appreciate everything. I don’t think we need to contribute to beauty at all. Ugly is just as wonderful. I think we’re here to observe the magnificence of all that is around us. Everything is wonderful. There needed to be something to witness it.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do to contribute? I offer a relatively unique perspective on things. I try to see the world for what it is, beyond what society has branded it. People like me for it. My biggest contribution will probably be to open up people’s minds. At the same time, I don’t know if it’s so right to try to make people see differently. There’s no right way to think. People need to find things out for themselves, but I’m smitten with the idea of influencing people. But it’d be fitting for me. I get told I’m different. I’ve mentioned it before. I don’t want to be here. I’d rather be outside, all of the time. I feel at home outside. I don’t want to be shielded as much as I am. But I like being here. I like experiencing people and human life is humorously quirky.
To some people I’m smart girl. To some people I’m the girl that runs down the street in the red shorts. To some people I’m the girl who’s standing in the stream whenever they drive by. One moment that always stuck with me was after a movie, when I waited for a while to hold the door for a man in a wheelchair. The path was narrow and the man pushing him wouldn’t have been able to open the door from behind his friend. It wasn’t a big deal or anything. I’m not even sure if he thanked me directly. But he turned to my mom and said, “You did a good job with her.” Maybe I’m just the girl who held the door in the movie theater. I’d be happy with that. But underneath it all, I’d just like to be the girl who made people see the beauty in life. I’m on my way.
Upon first thought, I would say I do five things: go to school, play tennis, eat food, do homework, and sleep. However, upon close investigation, I see that I do more than that. I interact with people, I have fun, I learn. Quite frankly, I don’t see myself changing much any time soon. I will always want to interact with people, have fun, and learn new things. These three things are what will leave my mark on this world before I return to the earth.
ReplyDeleteI like to think that everything plays a role in every other things’ lives because it gives me a sense of connection to the world. Dalai Lama mentions the “beauty and prosperity” aspect of the world particularly, but I understand that sometimes things affect the opposites—hideousness and recession. There is always an equal balance between the two poles of the world. When there is a ripple in a pond, the ripple goes in all directions, not just one. However, in the ocean, making a splash never seems to make a difference. If your wave is never noticed, why bother making one? You must always try and make your splash because that splash, when combined with the trillions of other ripples, turn into the great waves of the ocean.
Perhaps I affect people and I don’t realize it, but the people I am 100% sure I affect are my parents. They do so much for me and make sacrifices in my favor (even when I tell them to help themselves). As a team, my parents brought me up and tried their best to raise a moral and good child, which, I hope, they were successful in doing. Now, they always tell me how they are so proud of me and stuff (much to my chagrin), and this blog made me think that maybe I have become their contribution to the world by becoming a better them. This, I think may be the greatest contribution I have made in my life—fulfill the expectations of my parents and make them happy to have a son like me.
Fast forward. I’m on my deathbed, breathing heavily, heartbeat fading slowly, becoming sleepier and sleepier, family crowding around for my final moments. When my last gasp is drawn, I don’t want my legacy to be something dumb like a multi-million-dollar company. That is pretty lame (to me that is). I want to be known as a person with morals and values, not just a figure with dollar signs floating over it. I want to be known as the guy that did cool stuff for other people just for the hell of it. However, I can’t be sure exactly what my legacy will be before I die, all I know is that I don’t want it to be great without morality because greatness comes with humility and good grace.
There are often times when I see or hear people (sometimes I’m guilty of this as well) say things along the lines of, “Why are they even here? What’s its purpose?” Most of the time they’re talking about animals/insects, and most of the time I’m hinting at people. And though I’m not fond of spiders and ladybugs, or any insect for that matter, I do understand that they have a purpose in this world. The same goes for every human being on this planet. Though I wouldn’t mind kicking some people off the face of the Earth, I always second guess myself because I never know if that person will contribute to society and possibly cure cancer, or show me how to paint my right hand nails without looking like a 3 year old did it.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, I do agree with HH’s idea about contribution. I’m positive that everyone was put on this planet for a particular reason. However, I don’t think everyone realizes what they were supposed to do, and a lot of people die before they get a chance to do it. Thus, it does seem a little far-fetched, that everyone is going to contribute. Especially when I look around and see the various individuals who are lazy, and really don’t see a purpose in doing anything. But then again, I’m judging them. Who knows what they’re capable of? No one knows who is capable of what. And that is what makes HH’s ideas so intriguing to me.
As for what I do. Currently, nothing. I go to school; I’m in clubs/activities. That’s pretty much it. But that’s something I hate about my life. In the future, near future I hope, I dream of going to college, and getting a great education, but most importantly meeting new people. People from different walks of life. I plan on travelling the world, and hopefully learning something along the way. I’m sheltered, and I hate that. I want to experience different cultures, different things, different people, different places. That’s always been a draw, other cultures and other ways of life. With my knowledge of the world, after travelling for years on end, I hope to maybe write a book, or make a documentary, about what I’ve learned along the way. I’m not really sure how that will turn out, but someday I hope to gain the courage to speak my opinion, for everyone to hear, and hopefully learn something from it.
What my greatest contribution has been this far? That’s a daunting question. I don’t know if any of you remember, but when we were talking about intelligence, I mentioned that I don’t think I’m intelligent because I don’t use it, or apply it. I don’t think I’ve necessarily contributed greatly to the world yet. But, if I would have to choose something, I’d have to say, the way I see the world. I haven’t really found anyone that 100% sees eye to eye to me. The one person that is kind of close is Hira, but even she doesn’t understand the way I see some things. Sometimes, actually most of the times, I don’t like to open my mouth, or spill my opinions, because I know it’s so different from everyone else’s. But in those moments, when I find the courage to utter my thoughts, I’m often met with a taken aback expression and then a slight nod. Hopefully, this implies that I’ve been able to make someone see a new light, but I’m not really sure. I’d like to think that I’ve changed someone’s life by my mindless rants.
In the end, as far as what legacy I’d like to leave behind, I’d like to just have one period. I’m not the most outgoing person, and I’m pretty sure people gaze over me, so all I can really ask for is for people to notice that I’m there, and that I have strong opinions, I’m just not sure of how to voice them quite yet. All I want people to take from my life, or whatever legacy I’ve left, would be for others to have opened their minds and changed their perspectives on life, because of something moving I've uttered.
your response made me think about the idea of throwing some people off the earth but having to second guess yourself. As much as i would not like to agree with this idea, what if some peoples contribution was meant to me negative? what if those people were here as personified lessons that everyone who they interacted with were meant to learn. This irritates me for two reasons, one that people who have seemingly no contribution to make, try to bring others down with them, and two the fact they are just trying to being people down is so annoying.
DeleteConnie, “no matter what you’ve come to gain; wealth, riches, acclamation, it all means nothing if you have nobody to share it with” was such a beautiful line. Inspiring people really is the most basic contribution anyone could make. Your blog response was very uplifting and positive and I enjoyed the tone.
ReplyDeleteAmber, nothing bothers me more than being locked inside school on a beautiful day. “Nature is fundamental” was such a concise statement, but it demonstrated the wonder of nature. I also loved your connection between society and life, which was full of figurative language that made your response stand out.
Tom, don’t just limit your goal to having good morals. Your goal should be to apply all of your learned morals, because that would make you a true role-model and the subject of legends. Your response was a bit gloomy, but you did a really nice job in explaining your ideas and feelings.
Quite frankly, I never thought about what I “do.” On a daily basis I do a lot of things; from brushing my teeth to doing school work to spending time with my family and everything in-between. But does any of that really matter? In the long run, I would venture to say no, unless having no cavities counts for something. I never really think about how I impact people either. That’s just not how I view the world. I’ve changed a lot since high school started, and one of the main aspects of my life that I did change, was that I stopped thinking about how I affect other people. I can’t bring myself to do something with purely, or even remotely, myself in mind. But that doesn’t quite answer the question, does it?
ReplyDeleteI suppose that I make people laugh. In school I can be quite or only talk to a few people, but I consider myself fairly funny. My friends and family enjoy my obscure and sometimes sick sense of humor. I also help people. Not only my family, but in school if I see someone who needs help I do what I can. I also help people outside of school; for instance I tend to help old people put heavy groceries in their trunks at the supermarket (and I hate old people, well other people’s old people.) Anyways, I also give people advice. Usually this is family and very, very close friends of mine, but I guess that counts for something.
In the future I hope to expand the area in which I help people. I love it. I sleep well at night knowing that somewhere along the line I made a sacrifice that helped someone else. Something that I did allowed a complete stranger to have a meal. The feeling is unexplainable. And I want to continue that. I am not just saying this for attention, I seriously cannot stand people that say and do things for attention. Shut up. Anyways, I seriously have been thinking about my future lately, of course we all should be! Every time I have a conversation about my “future plans,” the Peace Corps always creeps in. And that is exactly what I want. I don’t know exactly I want to do for the PC, but I know I want to do something.
Besides the typical biological standpoint, I don’t think that everyone is here to “contribute” to the beauty of the world. It’s very clear, to me at least, that the world is not always a beautiful place. Most certainly, not everyone is a beautiful person. I believe that there is evil in the world (not really EVIL per say, but I couldn’t think of another way to put it) that consumes people. After some time, there is no “good” left. Murder and drugs and rape don’t make the world wonderful, prosperous maybe, but not beautiful. The Dalai Lama is a very EXTREMELY optimistic person. I lieu of recent events my optimism was at its peak, but has sense dropped a few levels. Being who I am and seeing the things that I’ve seen, I don’t think I could ever become as high-hoped as the DL.
I don’t really want a legacy. I know Bunje said basically not to say that, but it’s true. I hate being thanked or worshiped for the things I do. I don’t want to be remembered for being a great holy, moral person: I am not and don’t plan to be. And I don’t want to go down in the books as a sociopath: I am not and don’t plan to be. I guess if I had to choose one it would be honesty. I try my absolute hardest to stay truthful to myself and the world around me. In every action, paper, blog post, I try to keep my truthfulness, and that’s something worth noting, I think…
Mimi- I’ve gotten to know you a lot better this year, in Latin and in lang. In my opinion you have fulfilled your legacy already. I highly respect you for your beliefs and opinions. Every time we joke about people or have a conversation about a controversial topic, I always look forward to hearing your side. You are a very well spoken person. Although you might not see it yet, that is something that should definitely be seen by others.
ReplyDeleteTom – You had mentioned that playing a roles in other people’s lives gives you a connection to the world. I think that it does for most people. Personally I don’t want a connection to the world. That’s too far. I really don’t care if someone in Canberra knows who I am. I try to stick to my sphere of influence, so to speak. It’s the people I am around every day, or those I rarely see, the people in my neighborhood or my state that I wish to connect with; mostly not an emotional or a physical connection just an invisible mental connection of sorts. I don’t know if that makes any sense or not…
Amber – In the summer I feel a similar connection to the outdoors. I live in Weymouth which, if you don’t already know, is trees. Lots and lots of trees. It can be very quite and all sorts of bugs and animals stroll about. It’s reassuring to me to be one with nature. I don’t mean that we should all live outside and become world hippie people, but more people around here should spend a little less time indoors and experience the real world a little bit!
Janel:
ReplyDeleteYou're probably one of the most helpful people I know. And I love your sense of humor...We often laugh about extremely morbid things, but I like how we're both able to find humor in bad situations. I never really even considered all the "evil" in the world when I was writing this blog post. I guess the quote was just so inspiring, and I was in a particularly good mood, that I overlooked that. Now I'm second guessing my opinion....
Amber:
"Pure sorrow is one of the most beautiful things." I love this line. I don't know why, but I definitely think sorrow is one of those emotions that no other can compare. I like how you said we're here to experience feelings. Feelings aren't really on my agenda, I'm not very good at expressing mine, or picking up on other's feelings, but...I guess in a sense you're right. When something happens, a feeling is always evoked, whether good or bad.
Everybody contributes. Every single person contributes to this world. However, not every contribution is positive, some can be very negative. Some contributions can be large, while some can be very small, but everyone is still contributing. HH’s concept of contributions is not unrealistic or full of nonsense at all. A contribution can be as small as a smile, or a warm hug. For one second,whoever smiled at you contributed to your life. That smile put you in a better mood. So to me at least, everyone is contributing. Just some people contribute more. I do believe “things that you may not even think twice about doing or saying can have an impact that changes someone’s life forever. I think period two knows that based on my recent occasional paper. And you’re completely right Bunje, it is a completely chilling and exhilarating and awe-inspiring concept.
ReplyDeleteRight now, I’m a student and I suppose I contribute in that regard. I go to school and further my education, and try to help other students who are struggling with the school curriculum. I try hard in school so one day I can make a difference in the world in some way (whenever I figure what way I want to go). I get my education so maybe I’ll be able to help others with my knowledge later on in life. I’m also an athlete and pretty decent at what I do there, so people ask me questions. I answer them and I guess I’m contributing to their lives because I’m helping them become better at the sport. I volunteer to do things around the school and the community, so I guess I’m making the environment we live in a better place. I really really really hope I’ve contributed to your lives in some way. I feel like I barely know some of you, but I hope that I have some way made your life better, even if it is only a smile or an encouraging comment. However, all of these contributions seem small compared to the one I have on my family. I like to think that I have changed their lives. I know I’ve changed my parents’ lives because I’m their only child. I know sometimes I annoy the crap out of them, and I eat their food, and spend their money, but I’m hoping that the good things I’ve brought to their lives counteract the negative and have changed it for the better.
I haven’t exactly figured out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I have a rough draft, but no concept is set in stone. However, I do know that I want to interact with people a lot. I want to inspire people in some way to face their fears or go after what they want. I want to make people happy and bring people together in some way. I want to talk to people and help them through their problems. I want to touch as many lives as I possibly can in the short amount of time I have on earth. I hope that will be my legacy one day, and I think it’s very possible for me to achieve it if I work hard and always keep a positive attitude.
At first, I wasn’t really sure what it is that I do. Sometimes I feel like I’m quite a passive person in this world. But then I thought about the times people have said to me, “Hey Emily, can I just rant to you about something?” and times people have admitted to me, “I’m scared.” I think of the lengthy speeches that follow such phrases, and all the time I’ve spent absorbing them.
ReplyDeleteSo what is it that I contribute to this world? I listen. I listen to it all, from silly stories to meaningful confessions. Personally, I hate it when I’m talking to someone and they cut me off and never let me continue or just stop paying attention to me completely. I can’t help but to feel so insignificant afterwards. I also hate the feeling of having no one to listen to me. Some people just need someone to hear them out. They don’t really need much of a response. They just have to tell someone something, whatever it is.
This is why I think I’ve made an impact by listening to people. I’m not hungry for information, I’m not always asking about this or that, I’m just here to listen when people have something to say. And I’m sure that my listening has made some people feel happier or better.
So, it sure sounds nice, the idea that everyone is here to contribute to the greatness of the world. But I just can’t believe it. I know I’ve said that I like to think of myself as an optimist, but still this thought that everyone is here to make things better sounds just silly to me. To me, people don’t exist for any particular reason. I think of myself as a person who just happens to exist. And I also happen to help others. But not all people are like this. Do mass-murderers bring beauty to the world in their “own particular way”? Not exactly, I’d say.. Some people just do more bad than good.
As for my legacy, I hope to be remembered simply for having had a positive impact on a large amount of people. I don’t care for the specifics, whether I’m remembered for saving a family from a burning building (if that ever happens) or for just being there for people. I just want there to be a good amount of people at my funeral who will say “That Emily Ding, she played a big part in my life” and mean it wholeheartedly.
Amber: I like how personal your post was along with what you “do.” You took a pretty different approach to the blog from what I did and to what some others did, and it wasn’t what I expected. After I read it I couldn’t help but to think, “Wow, she DOES think about things differently!”
Janel: Your response to Dalai Lama quote stood out from that of the other people who have posted so far. As I read it, I thought, “Exactly!” The quote immediately made me think of all the horrible, horrible people who have done things to the world that are well, horrible. As optimistic as I am myself, I can’t bring myself to see the world as all sunshine and rainbows.
Nyamekye: As a fellow sheltered child, I also have the dream to explore the world and its people. I believe that when you travel, you pretty much always end up learning something about yourself or the world. And I feel like my whole life has been building up to the moment when I will be able to begin my journey. Fortunately, I think we’re getting quite close to beginning our adventures into the world.
Connie: I always look forward to reading your blog and make sure I read it every week. Once again, I enjoyed it! (: I really like how you talked about your mom and what you wanted your legacy to be. Mine is the same thing more or less, but I wish I could have worded it as eloquently as you did! By the way, your thoughts were very clear and didn't run into each other at all. No worries!!
ReplyDeleteAmber: Your blog post was beautiful. I specifically loved your first two paragraphs. I have to say that my mood is measured by the weather outside, especially when I'm in school. I enjoy being out in nature and feel that I connect with it pretty well and can figure things out much better if I'm outside. Nature is very "pretty" as you stated. Good job! (:
ReplyDeleteEmily: I really appreciated how you approached the blog post. Being a good listener is a great legacy to leave behind and an amazing quality to have. Sometimes people just need to be heard, and I'm positive that you have touched so many lives by letting them be heard. I admire that. (:
ReplyDeleteTom: While I like your ocean/pond/wave/ripple/splash metaphor (I probably could have shortened that to water), I can’t say I completely agree with it. I’m not sure if you meant that the hideousness and beauty of the world are always in equal balance or if you literally mean the two poles of the world. The latter would be true, but I’m not sure about the former. I guess because it’s all perspective, I don’t think they’re ever in balance. But anyway, who cares if your wave is never noticed? Life isn’t about recognition. Gosh, I’m taking this all too literally. I’m going to go away now. But wait no I just finished reading your blog. Hold on. I agree with the last two paragraphs unconditionally. Okay. Bye.
ReplyDeleteNyamekye: I’m in complete agreement with this blog. I really do think that everybody has a purpose and that most people don’t see it or have the opportunity to complete it. I think I was going to say that somewhere in mine, but as always I got off topic and ended somewhere far from I was originally thinking. The legacy you want to fulfill is pretty much the same as mine too Maybe we’ll both cross paths when we’re travelling the world someday.
Janel: I know you don’t really want to hear this, but ever since you read your last occasional paper I’ve really grown to admire your philanthropy. I could only wish to be as selfless as you. But it really is true, that feeling that you’ve done something for somebody else is perfect and indescribable. I could do so much more to help people, and I hope I do someday. Right now I pretty much just give people bigger tips. I didn’t earn any of the money I have and I don’t feel like I deserve it. I hate giving waiters the minimum required tip. Also, oh yes, Mike Giovinco has told me about how many trees are in Weymouth. If I didn’t live in Laureldale, that would be the next place I would want to live.
Amber: Weird, I noticed the tree blossoming outside Matlack's room today too.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I really appreciate it when strangers compliment my parents on their parenting because it makes them feel good and makes me believe that my current goal in life is being fulfilled. Being the kid that picks up fallen binkies for an overwhelmed mother sounds like a good legacy to leave behind. Without people that do little things like that in the world, the world seems to be against a burdened person, so I guess being one of those people can leave a positive mark on the planet, no matter how seemingly negligible the acts of goodness are.
Emily: I really like how you listen to things people have to say. Listening is one of my favorite things to do, actually. It seems like it is a dying art; everyone wants to talk. All right I'll stop here before I go on a long tangent, not that you would mind listening :P.
ReplyDeleteThere are at least two and a half things that I do in this world because I’m good at them. I only say two and half things right now because I can only think of two and a half things. Perhaps I’ll figure out more before this blog is through. Anyway, there are two that are very different from one another and the third is related to the second and therefore only constitutes half of a thing. These are things that I pride myself on, though I can improve in these areas. They are things that give me purpose and things that I do for the benefit of others.
ReplyDeleteI lead. At least, I hope that I do lead. I’ve been in the position a countless amount of times to be a leader, whether it be of a group for Student Council, a director for One Acts or one of the other bajillion things I’ve done in my life. I’m the type of person who likes to gain the insight of others before I make a decision and so there are a lot of people who trust me with this title. Not only that, but when I delegate tasks I make sure to put a great deal of the weight on my own shoulders and help my delegations to fulfill their own tasks. This fits in as my little niche in society because, well, without a leader there’s chaos. I lead strictly for the ability to see the ideas of myself and others flourish.
Now the second that I do is entertain. I don’t think much more needs to be said that hasn’t been said in any of blog posts before. Just to clarify though, entertainment keeps a person sane and helps them escape to another world. My ability to partake in that helps other to see something different and learn something new.
More importantly than the second is the second and a half. This is my ability to tell stories. My dad recently pointed this out to me. Apparently he, my grandfather, and my great grandfather were all people who took the attention of many and were story tellers. My grandfather and great grandfather did so traditionally through word of mouth. My dad told stories through comics. I’ve taken after them and I too tell stories, but my stories tend to be told through the stage. The art of story telling is crucial because it not only entertains, but it reminds others of the past and keeps them thinking about the future.
If I were to continue the list I could include a tiny bit of art (I just got done helping design set and banners for Mr. Oakcrest) and lending a helping hand wherever one is needed (that was rather general) and countless other things. I won’t expand much on these, but they are little things that I do that help me as a leader, a performer, and a story teller. More importantly is what I’ll do in the the future, which is a lot of what I do now along with one added bonus, saving lives. I want to be a doctor, a neurosurgeon. More importantly, I want to use my other abilities to help my patients and to ease their pains.
ReplyDeleteWith all of that being said, I do believe in HH’s idea about contribution. Everyone has something to give, though not everyone knows it. I don’t think that everyone uses what they have to give or at least there are people who don’t use ALL that they have to give. It’s only human nature though to not use something you are unaware of. I don’t think that every person is given the chance to realize what they have. They may live in an oppressed place or possibly die before they get the chance to do something.
Out of what I’ve done so far, I think that my greatest contribution so far is one in the making. It’s my One Act this year. Granted, there will be plenty of greater things, but my goal with my show this year is to show off the talents that people have that they may not know about or that they may not have a chance to let shine through. Also, it is a contribution that binds together all of the things that I do. I hope that when the curtains open on May 18 that it will be perfected because this story has a lot of meaning behind it if someone were able to pick it apart like we do with the essays in Lang. It isn’t something that I can express on paper, but on stage, now that is where the story will be able to unfold. It’s a story of entertainment, the thing I hold dearest to my heart. It will show its beauty, its hardships, the need for collaboration, the struggle that accompanies every great entertainer’s “big break,” and most importantly it shows love. Olivia doesn’t necessarily know it yet (unless she’s reading this blog now), but her part as the Mime is a part that somewhat reflects me. Everything that the main character goes through is something that I’ve experienced only in a more symbolic way. I don’t have much that I can give this world yet. After all, I’ve only been on this Earth for less than 17 years. What I can give the world is what I know, and this show is everything that I do know.
We’re all here to contribute. And we all contribute in either a positive or negative way. Those that do nothing at all are contributing negatively because they are not trying to influence the world positively, thus they become liabilities and leeches on the planet. I’m not saying we need to live up to the fine and moral stature of the Dali Lama or the charisma and leadership of MLK, but we should all try to do something positive I suppose. As far as what I do to contribute positively to this world; I can’t say I have done much. I’m not copping out here but to be truthful in my response I honestly don’t feel as though I’ve significantly impacted anyone or the world in any way. I feel safe in saying I’ve impacted the lives of my friends and my family in some way that was pretty decent but miniscule. What I’ve done to positively impact them I do not know and can’t tell you. It’s in their minds not mine. But overall, I don’t take such trivial matters and interactions as any noteworthy impact on another’s life. Perhaps I mean a lot more to my mother than I think, and perhaps she is the one I’ve made a difference in, but to put any certainty on the actual usefulness of my influence is a bit ridiculous. Now, I’m sure some will say, “No, don’t say that, you mean plenty to your mom, or to your other family members, or to your friends, or to me”. But what difference have I made? I feel this is a valid question. I tend to believe that such interactions are just a part of life and an example of what human connections should be. We should be nice and helpful, but it is against our psychology to do so on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteConclusively, I would say I contribute to society in a negative way, and I will continue to do so until I actually change the lives of other individuals noticeably. Nonetheless, I’m all for trying to make a positive impact. Right now, all that I’m doing, is all for preparing myself to do something notable and influential on the world. So what will I do? I will try to make a difference scientifically. It is a desire of mine to work with energy. I would like to be a part of discovering and making use of a new and clean energy source. One that can hopefully eradicate our bind on oil. This is my dominant goal not only for my career, but for the sake of leaving some sort of legacy on this planet. Because I believe my personal life is separate of everything else, I would personally like to one day possibly be in a relationship that is truly meaningful and influential on the other person’s life. Somebody that I could make happy. I suppose that’s all in self-satisfaction, but in the end this is a goal for most everyone—maybe except for George. But I can understand and be cool with George’s style of life. I could see myself in the same mindset as well. I won’t criticize. As a side note, I wouldn’t mind eventually becoming involved in civil rights for oppressed people in one way or another. Rights to life and equality are important to me. I may not have done much, at least by my standards. Yet, I feel as though I have the determination and drive to do great things one day. I mean, I’m eagerly planning to at this point in my life—which is more than a lot of people can say.
I've always had a dream to change the world. I have always wanted to do something so important to people that it can change lives. I want to change the way people view things, and I know I talk about it a lot, but my dream is to do it through music. I feel my music makes it very possible for me to connect with such a wide range of people and put forth a new way of looking at life. I want people to look at life with more of a positive attitude, not regretting anything because you change the past.
ReplyDeleteObviously, what I do is music, and I love it. I love every second it takes to write a song, every hour it takes to record it, and every person that tells me they like it puts a huge smile on my face. Now that most people around this area know me as a rapper, it really has been different. I never really thought that I would be known as a rapper and that I would even get the recognition that I have now. So, after about two years of rapping now, I also realized that it's what I want to do for the rest of my life. There is no part of me that doesn't like the music I make, and I spend so much time and effort on the music. Whenever I hear my name brought up by someone I don't know or hear my music, it makes my day, and it's an indescribable feeling. It truly is a dream and a huge aspiration, but I honestly believe that I can make a living with my music, and I won't stop trying until I succeed.
I also agree with HH 110 percent. Everyone and everything has a purpose for living, you just have to find yours. Most people don't if you ask me, but people like Michael Jackson, Brett Farve, Martin Luther King Jr, and other public and historic figures have found that reason they were put on this earth. Personally, I do believe wholeheartedly that my purpose for being alive is to change the world. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to do it through music or not, but as for right now, I think that's it. I love what I do, and I don't want to stop. I think this is what has potential to change the world, and I hope I can live up to that. I have done a little so far, and I feel like I have had some effect on people. However, it is not nearly enough for me.
Overall, I want to be known as the boy or man who changed the world with music. There have been people that have had huge affects on people and ideas through music, but I want to have more of an affect than anyone has before me. I know this is a crappy ending, but I don't want to repeat myself anymore than I already have. So yeah, thats my dream. Please help guys. I know I ask for it a lot but seriously, if I put up any new music (and I will be soon) take the time to listen to it. You may really like it, and show it to others. Who knows what can happen, maybe I'm right.
I say we change the world together, let's go out and do it!
DeleteBuddhists are always loaded with wisdom and universal aphorisms. In order for one to get anything out of life, one must give something in life. It’s sort of like an opposite and equal force, which would obey Newton’s Third Law of Motion. The motion involved in this sense is the passage of time. We’re all on earth for a short period of time, so contribution should not have to wait until adulthood. As far as I can tell, teenagers are just as capable as adults at making a difference in the world. While the contributions of adults are often more tangible, such as the development of cures for diseases, it does not mean that their contributions are far more important. What gave those adults aspiration in their youth? Surely some of their peers had had a psychological impact on them, allowing them to accomplish great things. As for me, I hope that I’m affecting those around, inciting inspirations and determination.
ReplyDeleteI’m not the football coach that pushes his players to victory. I don’t do amazing work in dozens of lives. But I don’t think that matters. I’d like to think I’m influencing at least a few people at this stage in my life, but the more the better. Of course, I regret any negative influence I impose upon others. These sorts of influences are not the contributions that I want to be remembered for, but sometimes they’re just there. I can’t think of any examples of situations where I negatively impact another person, but I’d be foolish to think there weren’t any.
What I do now is attempt to open the eyes of others, to show them that there is more to life than comprehensible. Specifically, I try to impart my mother with any knowledge I have that I deem helpful. I sometimes offer her to read fantastic books that explore aspects of life unbeknownst to her. For instance, I suggested that she read Autodidactic to emphasize just how important reading is. I pointed out my brother’s disinterest in reading and the detrimental implications of such an attitude, but she simply declared that “some people just don’t read.” I strongly disagree in letting a child reject the importance of reading. Also, she once had a conversation in which the woman she was talking to had said that nothing new was going on, and she responded “that’s good.” This confused me greatly and I asked “What is so good about nothing new?” Then she responded saying that I’ll “understand when [I’m] an adult.” No. I won’t. I agree with George that change is essential in enjoying life, even subtle changes. Whether or not my contributions have paid off has to wait for a later time, but I think it has.
Perhaps I delved too deep into what I do now for contribution, but I’m not about to erase it. I think it belongs. Anyway, I do believe in HH’s idea about contribution and that everyone has the potential to contribute something. I want my legacy to be something special, something different. I hope to contribute to many more lives than I have already. I hope to contribute something to society in the future that will aid people in some way, whether I am remembered for it or not. Simply knowing that I contributed somehow is enough for me.
To Connie: I realized that we both spoke of our mothers. Hopefully we both influence and are influenced by our mothers. I don’t mean for this to sound weird, but it does because I’m talking about our mothers. I also want to inspire people in my life to do great things. I agree with you that accomplishments are meaningless without sharing them, which runs parallel with the thought that everyone has the potential to contribute.
ReplyDeleteTo George: You’ve ONLY saved a life or two? I think most of us have never saved a life before, so you’ve already contributed quite a bit by your age. I personally don’t think you have to wait to get out of high school in order to improve yourself, and you will certainly still be worrying about grades well through college. If you decide to throw that government revolution, call me up. It sounds like fun.
To Tom: One thing we both contribute to our computer graphics class is our above average intelligence in a below average classroom. I believe that Mrs. Schenker would have gone insane by now if we weren’t in her class, for we are among the only ones that put an effort into the assignments. I also like your analogy of the contributions as ripples that make a wave. Additionally, I agree that humility is essential in acquiring true greatness, and opulence (see that?) is not a characteristic of a legacy; at least not a contributing legacy.
Bobby:
ReplyDeleteI really like how you've stuck to your dream about making music. I can remember when you just started and I would think to myself that you were just going through a phase. But you've dedicated yourself and time to perfecting your music and I hope one day you'll be able to accomplish your dreams and leave your legacy behind.
thanks :) and I remember you thinking it was just a phase. I got a lot of head shakes.
DeleteTo Ted: I know you weren’t particularly looking for this in a response, but I can answer your question. I guess that I can’t speak in the name of anyone else besides myself, but you’ve impacted me possibly more than any of my other friends. Ever since you moved into the cul de sac at Misty Pines you’ve impacted me. You taught me that people will accept you when you just drop by to say hello since you were the first person that I became really good friends with by venturing over to talk to them myself. You’ve also helped me, now two years in a row, with the thing I love most. You’ve helped me with the creation of my shows. You are one of the people who kept me sane and helped in any way possible to create a great show and thank you for stepping up and working hard as your part in my show. Your hard work has helped to keep my thoughts positive on the direction of this play. Of course the countless adventures we’ve had between these two events have been huge reasons why I’ve become the kid I am today.
ReplyDeleteAw :)
DeleteAw indeed
DeleteTo Amber: I wonder who could of possibly said that you’re different? Hmmm... But honestly, you are the most unique person I’ve ever met, and I definitely see it in your writing style. I like it. If it accounts for anything, I think that just with your blog posts alone you’ve made at least one person see the beauty in life. I know for a fact that you’ve done it on countless other occasions. Whenever I end up talking to you about something you turn out to be like that day outside, capable of changing a mood. Thankfully you tend to turn out to be that bright first day of spring, and it’s made my day a number of times.
ReplyDeleteTo Tom: If you haven’t before, you need to watch the movie “Big Fish.” Your last paragraph there reminded me of that movie. I won’t ruin it, so watch it and you’ll see why. Also, I think that you’ve done your parents proud. I know I’d be proud of you. You are the type of person that knows when to ask questions and when not to. You know how to cheer a pal up and you know how to show respect to those who deserve and still give it to those who don’t. Stay that way.
I love that movie! And yes, I understand how it reminded you of it :)
DeleteWelcome to this world, I hope you’ll find it suitable. Your goal here is to make the most of it. Seize as much enjoyment as you possibly can, while you help others have as much fun as you are having. That’s it. Life is a constant battle to fulfill your five basic needs. But living, living is the fulfillment of your basic needs with the pleasures of life thrown in the mix. It is of the utmost importance to carry faith in your fellow man. While you trudge through the drudge of life, pull your comrades along with you.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I found myself dithering around aimlessly for fifteen years trying to help people with good manners and a positive attitude. Sure, smiling at someone can surely make their day, but there is a certain point where it just becomes creepy. Also, good manners are often shoved aside as mere acts of self-interest (see previous blogs). So, at the ripe age of sixteen, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I would get a job. I did. I never realized how my role in society would evolve from the simple act of an occupation. I strip and wax floors. Without me, the floors of South Jersey would be cracked and filthy. Consequently, it is here where I discovered my niche. My contribution to society comes in the form of shiny floors. You don’t have to worry about the sanctity of your floors because of my hard work and dedication. There’s no need to thank me, as it is my place in the world, and my contribution to my fellow man. Looking towards the future, I hope to not only fortify the floors on which humanity stands on, but fortify the grounding of faith in humanity for many.
We are here to contribute. Maybe not to the other, as of late, we’ve been raping it. Unfortunately, we cannot easily reverse the contributions made to our planet. Humanity has created, destroyed, and manipulated such that the world is our oyster. So, humanity is here to contribute, whether that contribution be positive or negative. Furthermore, it is more crucial that, as a human, I contribute to the life of another human, rather the Earth. For, without us, who would be there to document the world? Humans are the most important thing to happen to humanity, as we are our greatest outlet.
Someday, I hope for someone to look back and think, “Damn, that Matt Mazzone was an alright dude.” That’s it. After I die, I hope only a few remember me. Why should people waste their time mourning me and remembering my life while they could be helping to discover the cure for cancer? It seems silly for me to hope anything more of my life then to be remembered by a few awesome people. I hope this is my legacy.
The topic of this blog is one I’ve thought of many, many times before, but I never seem to come up with an answer to my wonderings, so here goes nothing.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do-well, what does any typical don’t-know-how-good-they-have-it teen do? I go to school. I socialize with friends (getting into the occasional trouble) and family. I frolic various hours away online or reading or ‘vegging out’. Every once in a while I even *gasp* get up out of bed or off the couch and exercise. I know; it’s a crazy, crazy life I lead.
Moving on-what will I do? Well, I don’t pretend to have my life all mapped out, and even if I did there is no doubt that life would throw a few curveballs in there to mix things up. However, I know what I’d like to do. I’d like to get a good job that I enjoy while simultaneously makes me a productive member of society. I would like to continue to help people out whenever and however I can. I’d like to be able to say I made a definite difference in at least one other person’s life. Will any of these things actually happen for me? Your guess is as good as mine. Come back in 10 years and I’ll let you know, but here’s to hoping.
I think that HH’s idea is great in theory, and I would love to believe it, however to put my absolute faith behind such a saying, there would need to be an adjustment. Rather than “are here to contribute” I would say “have the potential to contribute”. Because while it’s all well and good to believe in things like fate and divine intervention and the greater good and god’s plan and etc. etc., I just can not get behind the idea that someone like Hitler or Mike Vick or the shooter at Columbine contributes in ANY particular way to the beauty and prosperity of the world. There are just some people that aren’t good…people whose potential is wasted.
As far as the subject of my greatest contribution, it is hard to say. I was raised to be polite, so I hold doors open and let the other person have the last slice of pizza and greet most everyone with a smile. If such things actually changed someone’s life, or even their day for the better, they haven’t gone out of their way to tell me. I guess I could say that it is my…kindness? I don’t feel like that’s the right word, but it’s all I got right now. I like to be able to be there for my friends, I like to do nice things for people when I can. If it makes someone’s life easier or better, well why not? I think I’m a good listener, and I do my best to be there for people when they need me. I admire this trait in others, which is probably why I do it, and why I would consider it my greatest contribution to society at this point in my life.
My legacy-the one thing I really want to leave behind-will be (or at least I hope it will be) to have changed even one person’s life for the better. Whether through positive influence, helping hand, or listening ear, I hope I am remembered for more than just my sharp wit and ‘nice’ demeanor. That, I would have to say, is one thing I do not want to be my legacy. “Here lies Ashley Hall. She was nice.” That says nothing about anything. I want to leave behind something meaningful.
Ted: I really like your idea that you contribute no matter what. Like what you said about even though you don't do anything, your contributing negatively. That is a really good idea, and if most people think of it that way rather than that they're just staying out of it, then the world could probably be a better place.
ReplyDeleteConnie: I really liked the way you incorporated your mother. I think a lot of people overlook the fact that you get your thoughts, feelings, and dreams from the people you look up to. A lot of us want to be just like someone else. Me, that's simple, Mac Miller.
Everyone: I feel like we shouldn't answer the question "What do you do?" as what you think you're good at. Everything you do has an affect on someone or something, so don't narrow it down to just what you're good at, but everything you do. I know I did the "what I'm good at" thing but this is in hindsight
I don't know Bobby, if we were to do EVERYTHING then we would all just post the same thing. Bunje's good at teaching and therefore affects people the most through teaching. Likewise, I affect people more with the things that I am good at because they are the things that I put the most passion into. They are also the most efficient examples as to how I affect people. The rest of my interactions with people have close to negligible effects as far as I can tell.
DeleteI can respect that. But still, maybe not everything, but most things you do have an effect. Think about the blog from a few weeks or months ago about the most inspirational thing someone said to you. I remember george said something about a swimmer saying to swim faster and work harder. That was so trivial to the kid, he probably doesn't even remember saying it, but it changed George's entire outlook on work (or that's what I got out of it).
DeleteGeorge: I can definitely see the whole people-looking-up-to-you thing. I mean there are a fair number of things you do that I find admirable, and I would definitely say that I could see people going to you for advice. Nice call
ReplyDeleteMatt: I like what you said about your legacy. It was a bit surprising-(who doesn't want to be remembered? Other than you, apparently) but I can definitely see the 'Matt' of your post shining through (like those floors you polish ;) )
Dan: I like your point about influence. No doubt all of us influence people everyday, and it was cool that you took responsibility and awknowleged your negative influences, as well as your desire to change/apologize for them
Although you said not to, I'm going to. Being a teenager, I can easily, and honestly say I haven't experienced a lot of noteworthy things in my life. The question of, what have I done, is one that doesn't have a lot of answers. The only beneficial thing I can think of, is the volunteer work that I've done. I have over one-hundred hours of community service, and I hope that I can continue volunteering in the future.
ReplyDeleteFor a career, I hope to major in economics, and possibly be a stock broker. Now, depending on one's view of a social class, and money itself, this may be a good thing, or a bad thing. Hopefully, I'll be able to help people earn more money.
The Dalai Lama's quote is reasonable, but hard to explain. To try and play devil's advocate to the quote just seems nearly impossible. Conversely, there isn't exactly any proof to the quote. Maybe I'm not smart enough to provide a reasonable amount of information. Why is a certain species of insect on this planet? Probably, to provide food an energy to an insect that's higher on the food chain. The food chain is just a continuous cycle until it gets to the top. That's probably the best answer I can give regarding Dalai Lama's quote.
After I pass, I would hope to be remembered for the things I've done locally, in the area my family lives in at the time. As long as my family, and the people I have met along the journey.
Ashley: You're "adjustment" to the DL's quote is very well said. Not everyone has the opportunity to something beneficial, but everyone does have the potential to if they make the right decisions.
Bobby: Stay with dreams, and you can accomplish anything, dude.
Ted: Bringing up your parents among those you affected was a very good idea. All of our parents only hope for the best of us, and strive for our perfection.
Thanks dude! This actually says a lot coming from you.
DeleteI think you missed the entire point of this blog, you took it more literally and didn't really let the idea marinate and fester like an old wound.
DeleteMatt: "Humans are the most important thing to happen to humanity..." I found this really amusing because it's true. People think they're great because they are people, despite all the amazing things that are above and beyond us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we pretty much have similar expectations for our legacies. Being an all right dude would be an awesome legacy--humble yet powerful in a weird way.
For some reason I feel like I haven’t written a blog response in a really long time, but in reality it’s only been two weeks. But anyways I totally agree with HH. I think that everyone on this Earth has a purpose. Big or small they were put here for a reason. Sure, as teenagers, we might not realize that purpose quite but in the near future most of us will come to a sudden realization of what our purpose in life is. As for me, I think I know what my purpose is; I have a really strong feeling that I was put on this Earth to help people. Actually, no it’s not a strong feeling. I am absolutely SURE that, that is why I was born. Whether it’s to help heal them, or to make them feel better because they were stressed earlier, It doesn’t matter.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t really done anything amazing yet. I mean I do listen to my friends rant on about why they are angry or what is wrong with their day, their month or even their year. (Oh how I love “friends”) But I do that, just because we’re friends. I don’t think it’s a life changing moment for either one of us. However I did volunteer to help out with rally ball over the summer. I helped little adorable kids learn how to play tennis,It was such an amazing opportunity. When I saw their faces light up after they won a point gave me the best feeling in the world. Something else that I helped out with was the 21 down dance. Dancing with everyone there and seeing all of those smiling faces was and always is so great. It’s my favorite time of year. But still I don’t think I have done anything that special. I want to do something amazingly life changing for someone, one day.
That is why I dedicated my future to physical therapy. With that career I know that I can help a great amount of people. I will be helping people that have no movement in their muscles or body and helping them regain movement in not only their muscles but also their life. I will also know that I will be contributing to society and know that I have something to live for. I will know that my life did not go to waste and that I did live a life that had a purpose.
At the end of the day I just want to know that I left a special legacy behind. I don’t want to be remember as another waste of space. I want to be known as that girl that made a difference. That girl that changed a life. I want people to know that I did truly care and tried my best to help anyone I could.
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ReplyDeleteI don’t know about…
ReplyDeleteWell, a lot of things, but that’s beside the point. People with little knowledge have strong opinions, and the less knowledge they have the more opinions they have.
Or something like that.
I don’t know about a meaning to life, but I’d really rather not. I don’t want to have to contribute. In a world where everything is constantly pushing me to integrate into a society that I’m generally apathetic about I’d really rather just have the leisure of sloughing any metaphysical duties from my back and crafting my own path.
But let me clarify.
Of course everything contributes to the world. A serial killer contributes to the death toll. Things would not be the same without him. A butterfly in Bermuda flaps its wings and prices drop by half at the Hamilton Mall, and so on and so forth.
Everything intertwines with everything else, and if you devoted your life even to tracing the interconnections between all the little happenings that go on in the world you’d probably go crazy.
But these things don’t follow some grand scheme, and I hold full accountability if I find that thought more exhilarating and beautiful than any master plan. We’re living in a world where everything interacts each other in completely random ways that could range from screechingly devastating to beautiful. Basically, everyone’s contributions, while impactful on the world no matter what they are, are ultimately shaped only by the individual, so that at all times we live in this wave and twist and flux generated by hundreds of billions of things all moving and deciding and interacting at any given time. And that, to me, is beauty.
In regards to my contributions, I don’t think I have any lofty achievements. I want to be, what, a nice person? I want to be someone who’s happy. I want to see as much as I can, and go to every country, and live in the woods and live in the city, and take in everything the world has to offer and gather it in my head and mull over it, but I don’t feel the need to affect it. There’s so much beauty and tragedy and happiness and sorrow in the world that it would already take me so, so long to appreciate all of it. Do I really have to go out and strive to wedge something of my own in there when I don’t think anything belongs?
Perhaps someday I’ll see the need to make a difference, somewhere, and when that day comes I hope I will not hesitate to act, but before then I’d like to take the time to bask in what’s already here.
Basically.
When I think back to things I’ve done so far nothing especially comes to mind. I don’t think I’ve left much of an impression on any of my teachers or anything. I don’t think I’ve said five words to any of them after I’ve stopped taking their classes, and probably that’s my fault, but oh well. Likewise I don’t think I’ve left much of an impression on anyone, really, except for my grandma. She’s old now, and her mind is kind of going, but I’m her favorite person, and I try every day to live up to that, because what else is there to do? She’s the person whose life I know I can make better, as a goal which is entirely in my grasp, so I do my best to do that.
And then, eventually, I’ll do something else.
This is one topic in which my most deeply introverted side will shine through. On second thought, maybe “shine” is too positive a word. “Glare” is more fitting.
ReplyDeleteNever in my life have I considered the fact that I could be a role model to someone else. People inspire me; I don’t inspire them. Is it selfish for me to say that I don’t really care to be a role model? I think the idea of living for the sole purpose of inspiring others is a bit myopic, not to mention ineffective. The best role models are those who chase what they believe, not those who chase acceptance into some Inspirational People Club. If anyone is to inspire others, they must first inspire themselves—inspire themselves to follow their own passions, their own thoughts, and their own vision of what life should be. A person whose life is dictated by the approval of others is the exact antithesis of inspirational.
If I seem cynical about the idea of people inspiring each other, it’s probably because I’m not the best example of someone who builds strong relationships and deep connections with others. Most of the time, I simply lack the motivation to initiate conversations with people. My friends often joke that I “forget to talk”, which is actually not far from the truth. Often it doesn’t even occur to me to contribute my own thoughts to other people’s lives. I’d rather just sit back and observe. Maybe, in your eyes, that makes me lazy, or timid, or weak, but in my eyes, that’s just the way people should live. We should be one with all that’s around us, take it all in, and never fool ourselves into thinking that we are above it. Rather, live in harmony with it.
I’m not a leader, and most likely I will never be a leader. But the world doesn’t need leaders. The world needs self-inspired individuals. In order for a society to possess leaders, it must concurrently possess followers, but the world doesn’t need followers either. The world needs people who willing to listen to others, yet are capable of thinking for themselves. For this reason, I don’t want to follow anyone, and I don’t want anyone to follow me. People exist in their purest state when they are being truly themselves, and when they are inspired by little more than the voice in their own hearts.
As for a legacy, I’m not sure people notice me when I’m here, so I doubt they’ll notice me when I’m gone. But I’m ok with that. Maybe one day I’ll inspire the next world leader, or start a social revolution (both of which I greatly doubt), but I don’t aim to. People are here to follow their own paths, to live their own lives, and if those paths just happen to cross, and those lives just happen to touch, well, I guess that’s beautiful.
George: Haha, I like your lack of false modesty. Maybe just believing you're a role model or that you have an effect on the world is enough to make one? Maybe.
ReplyDeleteAmber: A lot of what you said, probably, I would've said if you hadn't said it, but you said it so well it doesn't really make a difference, yeah?
I agree with your views.
I am a strong advocate of the sentiment that everyone is here for a reason. I don’t have this belief because of some Godly inspiration, but because although we may not know what our significance is, there’s someone who does. I feel that somewhere on this earth, of the 6.8 billion human beings that inhabit it, there’s at least one who values another’s existence. Even if someone thinks so lowly of themselves to the point where they want to cease living, I know there’s another person, somewhere, who would miss them. There’s someone who would try to convince them to stay. There’s someone out there who values you for all that you are and accepts you for all you are not. I’d like to say that I’m that person to quite a few people; I believe that most of you are as well. In response to the first question: I try to see the good in people (even if there’s not much good to see) because I believe everyone deserves the chance to prove themselves. At times this proves to be my biggest downfall; I try so adamantly to focus on people’s positive aspects that I neglect their negative ones, especially when their negative traits are just so dreadfully deplorable. But, I feel like doing this is my way of “treating others the way I want to be treated.” Maybe I’m melodramatic or maybe I’m just completely oblivious, but I never feel as if I’m given a fair shot to prove myself, so I always strive to give others the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteHis Holiness’ idea that "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" is something I hold near and dear to my heart (though I’ve never heard His particular quote before) because it’s a concept that I’ve based my liveliness off of. I honestly can’t wrap my mind around someone NOT believing in this sentiment, even just a little. Even if you’re an atheist and say that it’s a load of religious bullshit, it’s not. Not at all. The reason we’re all here isn’t necessarily due to some sort of mythical, all-powerful being in the sky; but there has to be some sort of reason, right? The universe had to have been created, life had to have been formed, humans had to have evolved, technology had to have been developed, society had to have progressed for SOME reason. Everything that’s happened over the past several billion years can’t all be coincidence.
That being said, I don’t know what my legacy will be. I don’t even know if I want a legacy. I’m content knowing that everyone around me is content because that’s enough. Maybe one day I’ll do something profound and groundbreaking that shakes the course of history, but probably not. And there’s nothing wrong with that. You don’t have to be Neil Armstrong to have lived a fulfilled, successful life. You don’t have to be Barack Obama to bring about change. I believe everyone has a purpose – whether that purpose is big or small – that may take until you’re sixteen to figure out, or it may take a whole lifetime. No matter what way you look at it, you have a reason for being here.
And don’t let anyone tell you any different.
Nyame:
ReplyDeleteI love your brain. I really do. You’ve definitely opened my mind and changed my perspective on most subjects. Maybe I’m wrong to think that people don’t really impact each other much. In fact, now I’m starting to contradict my post...Anyway, I more than just listen to your crazy rants. I truly appreciate them. If people should do anything for each other, it’s open each other’s minds. So, thank you for that.
When I get the chance at lunch, I walk my tray up to the cleaning guy and thank him. It’s not every day because I don’t feel like shouting to him while he’s cleaning, but I show my appreciation when I can. Sometimes I like to think my vocal appreciation makes a difference. Sometimes I don’t think of it at all. Either way, my day goes on. The cleaning guy’s day also goes on. Maybe his goes on better though, because of a thank you. I don’t know.
ReplyDeleteI say thank you a lot, just to let people know I appreciate them. But I don’t think about it as much as I do with the tray-cleaning guy. And occasionally some other people. I’ve thanked a few people for being themselves. I hope they know who they are and how much I mean it. I feel like that’s a pretty good thing to tell people when you mean it. Telling people they’re great the way they are is just so reassuring. Especially if it’s not a compliment you throw around lightly.
I don’t do much these days. I’m in school. I take four AP classes and complain about a lot of work that really isn’t a lot. I read, do school work, eat, sleep, drink a lot of water, listen to music. And I know a few people. Not to say that I’m simply aware a few people’s presence. In that sense everyone knows people. I mean knowing people (I hope that “knowing” is in italics. I don’t even know how blogger will interpret that). I’d like to say I truly know someone, but I highly doubt that. Everyone has their secrets, their false mannerisms, their lies. But I like to think people don’t lie to me often. Or, better yet, people trust me with the truth. I like to think I help out by being a good listener. And being a good listener means I’ve had the chance to know some people (not many) better than most.
I’m not entirely sure of how I’ve helped, which is why I only “like to think” I’ve helped. I can’t be certain most of the time.
So what am I supposed to do with thank yous and listening? How do I make a legacy with that? Of course, there’re other things I have. But they’re common things, like respect and kindness and what not. But I’m hoping to put them all towards this legacy of mine, where I help people. Sure, I can help people physically. I can move some stuff around on a yard, or shovel some snow. That’s helpful. But I think, aside from that kind of helping, I’d like to help people in every way. I’d like to provide solutions to whatever emotional problems people are having, and if I have no solutions to offer, at least reciprocate, and let the person know I’m still there. I’d like to imbue confidence, determination, respect, into other’s minds, make it a part of who they are. But at the moment I’m not really trying for anything. Besides the fact that no opportunities have arisen and I haven’t sought them out, I’m rather apathetic right now, and do the work I’m given so my future, less apathetic self won’t be condemning me to the darkest pits of Tartarus.
I thought about it, and realized I don’t really care if I’m remembered or not. That’s what a legacy is though, I guess. Handing down the memory of yourself, or something. If I just help people though, even if they don’t remember me, I think that’s good enough. I’ll die content that way.
Bobby: I don’t think that is silly at all. I am honestly inspired by your determination. I won’t be surprised if you are a famous rapper a few years from now. Just remember the little people and remember that you can say template both ways!
ReplyDeleteNyamekye: First I want to point out this is the second time that I have spelled your name correctly without looking for it. Secondly, your rants are life changing sometimes, you have affected my life quite a bit. I know it sounds cheesy but when you flip out on me for being lazy or when I am being negative, it helps. A lot. Or when you ramble about life and show me your perspective on things, you give me a new outlook. Oh and I’m in your blog! WHOA!
Emily: I think I may have ranted to you at some point too. haha you are just so frickin easy to talk to! You really are a great listener! I do disagree with you though. I think that everyone, including you, have a purpose and we are here to fulfill that purpose. I think everyone will have a chance to do something as special as “saving a family from a burning building”.
To Mike: You remind me of the main character in the movie "Big Fish". You are confident, a leader, and a story teller. I think thses traits agree wth your purpose in life. As far as I know you (and I know you very well), I'm sure when it is your end, you'll be able to look back and smile and wave goodbye knowing you touched the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteTo George: I relate completely to the thinsg you said. I too look to the future as a time where I will take a stand and begin to make a significant difference in the world. The difference is that you will be a doctor, and I look to be an engineer. We both have the rught idea and the drive to be a positive influence.
To Dan: I appreciate that you feel as though you try to impact your family by making suggestions and the like. But this was not your purpose. I believe that you have great potential that will take you to greater purposes in the future. Even if you don't see them now.
I feel like we should all get together and watch Big Fish. It's such a great movie. But thanks Ted, that's the person that I want to be when I'm gone...so to speak.
DeleteHira: I can totally see you in physical therapy, just saying. You're one of those people who always wants to help people no matter what their problem may be. Even if you can't help them, I know you still want to. It's kind of adorable. But I'm still mad at you.
ReplyDeleteRachel: I love how you say you're being cynical, when your post was probably one of the most beautifully sentimental things I've ever read. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme but whatever. I can't say that what you wrote about occurred to me at all when thinking of a response to the post, but I'm glad you said it because I realize that I agree with you. Ugh, I hate saying that. "I agree with you." It's so, like... I-have-nothing-better-to-say-so-I'll-just-say-that type things. But I really do agree with you. I just had to throw it out there that I hate saying "I agree with you." And I don't mean I hate saying I agree with YOU, I just don't like saying the phrase. Okay, I'm rambling now. I don't think I'm being very coherent. Or making much sense. I'm also using "I" WAY too much. Okay this needs to stop. I'm done. Bye.
P.S. I don't have any buffalo left. :'c
Schuyler: When I was writing my response to Rachel, I felt like you. I guess because I was writing in the way you typically write? I don't know. I could hear your voice saying everything I was typing. Actually, I can hear it now. You're in my head, dude. Get out. This is freaky. My point in saying this is that I think you have more of an impact on people that you give yourself credit for. You don't have to interact with someone on a deep, emotional level in order to affect them. Just by being your average, apathetic, Schuyler-y self, you actually do have an effect on peoples' lives.
Ted: I found your blog very intriguing and you made valid points, however I wish you would give yourself more credit in the "what you do now" category. You'd be surprised how easily and effortlessly you can move people, and who knows what feats you've reached (unknowingly) already! Just have some faith! P.s I saw you at Chilis a couple hours ago, love that place.
ReplyDeleteBobby: Let's just say that your blog was both predictable and heartwarming :). I respect determination like yours because it gets things done. Easily said. And you're right, we all potential and destinies to uncover, I'm glad that you feel like you've found yours.
Schuyer: I'm kinda of disappointed, but not really surprised, that you put in your blog that you don't feel like you've made some mention-worthy contribution to the world yet. (I'm not, not surprised because I think you haven't, but because i know your the type to cut all the B.S and be straight up)...REGARDLESS, I suggest you start looking deep into yourself to find all these answers you ponder, and to find how you truly are affecting others. I don't think you realize it yet but you have greatly helped me, through your friendship. and that's something. Love ya dude. :D
Bobby: You dream large, my friend. It's cool to see such optimism. You know, most of us will never understand. People always say you're crazy. All you're doing is trying to have some fun and let loose tonight. But you can't because of the haterz. They'll never understand.
ReplyDeleteNyamekye: I felt you were being a bit too cynical. I mean, you've had a profound effect on other's lives even if you don't realize it. Just from conversations with you, I've taken some lessons that I otherwise would have ignored. So, even if you don't realize it, you have contributed in ways you couldn't even imagine.
Nick: Again, I feel like you could have gone further into the things you've contributed other than some community service. I mean, what did you do? Who's life did you change? Anyway, I'll remember you for being the guy with the hairy legs who was always up for a good argument.
hahahahahahahhahahahahha i seriously just laughed out loud
DeleteOlivia:
ReplyDeleteI really respect your post. I, too, act mostly out of self-gain. But, as a teenager, it’s difficult not to. And it’s true that contribution is all about perspective. Some people consider small acts, like holding open a door for someone, to be contributions, but, at least in my eyes, that’s just a given. I’d like to think that our greatest contributions are yet to come.
Becca:
I admire how adamantly you believe that we are all here for a reason, and in the sense that each and every one of us affects each other, I wholeheartedly agree with you. (Ahh, I said it too!) There’s no one that has come into this world that hasn’t affected someone somewhere in some way. It’s just a matter of the relevance and importance of the way we affect each other, and hopefully, as our lives progress, we can bring some meaning to the way we affect others. Or maybe not. I guess we’ll find out. Anyway, what?! No more buffalo?! :’(
I’m sure we’ve all questioned the purpose of our being. Everyone is put on earth for a reason. And that is to contribute. This can be either negative or positive. His Holiness is correct in this statement. However, it is a little but optimistic at the end. A few people come to mind that definitely have not contributed “to the beauty and prosperity of the world.” But then I think about how everyone is able to rise above and beyond certain hardships and the battles of the world. People come together and make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI’ve thought about this topic before, but not too much in depth because I’m still young. Right now, I do little things. I’m a student and I go to school. I contribute in this way. People ask me about homework/other educational stuff. I’m always willing to help and try my best. I should probably do a lot more volunteer work. I always talk about how important philanthropy is, but I don’t find myself living up to my own words. There are very few people that I think I have a great effect on this moment in my life. And of course this includes my family, specifically my mom and dad and grandparents. I think I’ve made them proud so far in what I’ve accomplished and the person I’ve come to be. But I’ve also impacted someone else in my family and she reminds me of that often. I would say that she lives a deprived life but I don’t take pity on her. I try my hardest to help her and to talk to her whenever I can. She said something to me recently that made me feel as though my existence really is worth it. People should be reminded often that they’re valuable. Whether it’s a hug, smile, or a genuine “I love you.” My best friend has told me that I’m a really good listener. That’s something I do like about myself. We don’t see each other that much anymore but she texts me almost every single day. I hope I can help anybody get through any difficult times. I can’t always relate, but I’ll still put in my opinion. Sometimes I judge, but I try to not think about it too much.
I’m not exactly sure what I want to do when I get older, but I want to continue to contribute to society in a positive way. It doesn’t have to be a direct contribution, such as saving lives by being a doctor. I hope that I can increase confidence in others and inspire others to follow their dream. Cliché, but I really hope this will be my legacy. I want to inspire others as other people are inspiring me now. I think this is really important, and here goes: Not only do I want people that have known me to be affected by me in a positive way, but also people that have never known me. I hope I can leave an impression on people I’ve never met.
Becca: I really enjoyed reading your post as you reminded everyone that they are valuable. People forget this all the time and it can be detrimental on a person. We’re still young so none of us really have that much of a legacy yet. It takes time to figure out who you are and your place in this world. And you did a great job of reassuring people of that in this post!
ReplyDeleteBobby: I admire your aspirations in becoming a musician. I idolize people in the music industry and I don’t even play music at all. But that doesn’t matter. They’ve worked hard to get to where they are now and that inspires me. And of course, their music inspires me as well. I’m seriously jealous of all talented musicians.
Amber: I know there’s more to you than just being a smart girl. I think you truly have a unique perspective on life. I know this reading your blog posts each week, creeping in on your conversations with Schuyler in calc, and of course just by talking to you. Your blog post this week made me see the beauty in nature. Sometimes we just need to take a break from life and enjoy the simple things.
George: You seem to have so much hope and optimism, even though I’ve always seen you as rather cynical and pessimistic. It’s rather refreshing. Most of the time I really don’t look at the big picture, and what I’ll do after I’m out of high school. But now that you mention it, I’m feeling even more bogged down with classes than before. I really can’t wait to not be here. Also, I’ve been commenting on your blog every time for a while now. I guess you can feel good about that. I don’t know.
ReplyDeleteTed: I like how there are basically absolutes. I can’t see how anyone could not contribute at all. Because as soon as you aren’t contributing you’re contributing negatively. And I guess we’re all burdens right now. We’re not working on farms or anything, which is usually why farmers had children. Aside from having a legacy, they have extra workers.
Dan: The only reason I can think of that would make no news good news, is because of the fact that the amount of news we get is overwhelmingly negative. Soldiers killed here, a bombing there, a school shooting in some other place. But I don’t know if I’d rather be blissfully ignorant or pessimistically aware.
This blog is particularly unfair because it asks us to do something that I believe to be more or less impossible. Determining how our influence of particular people will affect particular people can be a random and dubious business. Sometimes our influence does not have the effect we want it to, and other times it does, but the deepness of an impression and the quality of the lesson learned are things hardly controlled by the teacher at all. So when this blog asks me what my greatest contribution is so far, I think that I may well miss my greatest contribution so far merely because it has not yet come to fruition.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do to change people's lives? Mostly, I serve as an academic example and help those who ask for assistance in when I can. It's rather difficult to tell whether anyone is emulating my pattern of behavior in order to better themselves, but by continuing to conduct myself the way I do in academic settings, I may be able to encourage scholarship among my peers. As for my short engagement tutoring opportunities, I fill the gaps that the teachers cannot address because of the classroom setting by individual instruction. I feel as though if any contribution I'm making right now is going to change the world, it would be this. I could easily be preserving or restoring someone's interest in a subject where they are going to make an impact in the future.
What I will do to contribute to society is something that consists of a few vague innovations in my head that are quite far from any useful application. My drive to be a biomedical engineer comes from my drive to contribute, by innovating medically my developments will have immediate and lasting impact that is measurable and tangible. That's why I love the idea of this field so much, it would allow me to be selfish about my contributions, I could point at a patient and say “I helped him/her.” and know definitively whether I was telling the truth.
The Dalai Lama may have the high-handed notion of a predetermined purpose stuck in his head, and I disagree with this idea of a predetermined purpose, but I feel strongly that he is right about our purpose in the context of the purpose we make for ourselves. Humanity ought to determine by itself the necessity of contribution, because contribution is what it takes to survive past death. It doesn't take any universal forces to determine this purpose for us, it's something we ought to be able to develop on our own.
That's why my legacy is so important to me, because it is the only way I can survive past the finality of death. I want to have a legacy as an innovator who created positive change through my own actions and through the way I inspire those around me. I may not be entirely able to control whether this legacy is actualized, but it's what I want for myself, and I believe that's the first, most important step in achieving it.
When first reading the quote my mind jumped to the Industrial Revolution and pollution and those moth things we learned about in seventh grade and how our contributions as humans killed off part of a species, thus limiting another living thing’s ability to contribute beauty and prosperity to the world.
ReplyDeleteHumans. We really are beautiful creatures.
I mean, when we’re not ripping holes in the O Zone and exterminating species for monetary reasons and living secondary lives through the technology we have contributed to the world and ignoring all the other contributions that have been made by the living things we coexist with, we’re pretty rad.
We paint. We sing. We write. We create things that induce feelings, and whether those feelings are good or bad, it usually doesn’t really matter, because when you’re feeling something you know you’re human, and like I said, humans are beautiful creatures.
I don’t paint too much, I’m terrible at singing, and most things I write I’d die if anyone else read. Regardless, it’s still a goal of mine to somehow have the same effect on those I come in contact with. How do I do this? I open myself to caring about everyone. If the moment arises, I will try to make someone feel better about themselves or their situation. I will try to open their eyes to something. Show them another way of looking at things. Perform nice gestures. Thoughtful notes and pictures go a long way. When people realize someone cares, it’s usually a nice feeling. When they appreciate it, it’s a great feeling. When they care about it, well, there’s nothing better than having a mutual connection of a sort-of-breed of love.
On my birthday, I received a card, an email, and a note. All of which told me how much they appreciated me and the things I’ve done and the sort of person I am. Despite how I may come off, I don’t think I’m that great. And I realized it may not be “me” these people are talking about, but the things that I’ve done for them and the impression of me that my actions have created. Regardless, caring about these people in various ways and causing them to actually FEEL something, that’s probably my greatest contribution thus far. Because emotions are part of humans and humans are beautiful.
As for what I will do? Continue doing me, I guess. I would also like to become a teacher, for the same reason Bunje presented. Because, I do believe in HH’s idea. Every person and everything is here to contribute. We have a world full of potential here, it’s whether or no any of it is actually used or fulfilled. So I will teach. I will attempt to teach my students to live and think and feel their potential. I will teach them to contribute.
Cole: "And occasionally some other people. I’ve thanked a few people for being themselves. I hope they know who they are and how much I mean it. I feel like that’s a pretty good thing to tell people when you mean it. "
ReplyDeleteYes. My thoughts exactly. Of course. I didn't explicitly say it in my blog, but I really believe it's one of the best things people can do. I try to do it. Only when I mean it though.
Ashley: YES about potential. There's so much in this world and sometimes I take it all in and I just wonder how people don't use it when there's so much. And then I wonder what world we would live in, but as long as you and I can recognize the potential there is always hope.
Hira: It's the simple things that count. Just because you may not think much of your actions, doesn't mean they're not important. I mean, who are you, the insignifcant human that you are, that allows you to say your actions are not great?
I've thought many times about this subject, in reality, it’s the dominating subject in my mind. Many times I've come to the conclusion that I simply have no special abilities. I'm really not adroit in any particular field; I tend not to have a passion. I will forever not have a virtuoso skill that will assist this "grand" society. Hence my contributions to society will be nonexistent. For one to contribute to society, to make that society more prosperous, affluent and ingenious, one needs to have a set of skills that will affect this world in any minute form. I for one think that I don't have any sort of skill in which I will be able to direct society into a new innovational era. I'm not Prometheus in any single way.
ReplyDeleteI look at this quote with a questioning attitude, mainly because all of the blatant fallacies. Just to name a few, more than I need to, the idea that everyone on earth, no ever thing on earth, is made individually to increase the prosperity and beauty of society and nature, is completely corrigible. People who are atrocious in nature, who corrupt this world, who vituperate and assail the sanctity of nature and happiness of life are not good. People like Hitler, Jack the Ripper, Pol Pot and so many more are clear examples that not everyone is placed on this earth to advance society or clarify the beauty of nature and the world, unless you count the beauty of war. Another clamant fallacy is in the ideology that even insignificant things, that will never affect anyone of anything (I'll categorize anything very puny in significance with this) as something that will add aesthetics and innovation to society and the world.
Now I'm not going to say that dissatisfying excuse that you described, no I'm going to explain something about my contributions. I like to help my neighbors and fellow townsmen a lot, I think this is all swell, I worked in soup kitchens several times, and I try to be as amiable as possible. However even with contributions like these, I have not even scratched the surface of contribution. Insignificant and Mikey Mouse benefactions, like these, will be readily forgotten and discarded at the nearest trash can. My affects on people will only affect them in a minute form. Either way, if you are so ardent about the Humanistic ways, then you will glorify the original man. The individuality and the importance of not just everyone, but everything, is what will drive you to delusion. Yes every life is important, but not every affect will be important, what you do may hold no significance in reality, if you’re looking at it through the advancement of prosperity and beauty.
This phenomenon, the wanting to be remembered, to help out through innovation, goodwill and amiability, is seen in almost everyone, sufficing the drive of belonging, identity and remembrance. My legacy, well I probably won't have a legacy and most of my life will be forgotten ten years after my death. I have to apologize, subjects like these usually make me lugubrious and with my current state of mood, I'm borderline nihilistic.
Bobby: I really like your mood and optimism, one should always reach or the stars. Even if not for anything. While I think you have affected sine people, here I come riding the oh-you affected me-train, but you have certainly made me change some of my views in most issues like how sleeping in class is really not a big deal. I hope that's a good legacy, I mean you've made me sleep in class, that's a big influence.
ReplyDeleteCole train: Cole I really thought I was the only people who actually thanked. To me he seems so sad most of the time, cleaning dishes is not a top notch job, however I've come to the point in which I have said thanks too much to too many people. I also have to agree with you on the legacy part, I don't really care. However I also see it as, I would either want a grandeur legacy or no legacy, I don't want by work-a-day legacy.
Schuyler: I find your realism very attractive, not attractive sexually, no attractive philosophically. But yeah, I'm not going to say, too, that anyone has really influenced me truly enough to mold my views and ideals completely. Plus I would have probably come to that same idea eventually. But yeah good blog.
Amber- You weren't having an epiphany? Well that's boring. I don't know, you just had a profound sort of look about you, which apparently did not match up with your thought processes. Just a question, have you ever considered a career where you protect nature, especially as you seem to feel so connected with it?I feel like environmental science might be interesting to you(Again, just a thought, do whatever you want). As to your final point, the fact that to many people the influence we have varies greatly, that's why I called this blog unfair. It's almost impossible in all the chaos of human life to tell what simple actions will have a profound effect that we could never have predicted, and to expect us to tell which actions will have this effect is ludicrous.
ReplyDeleteBobby- You said you wanted to change the world with your music, it's admirable, it really is and it's highly possible. The position of artist-activist is not an unfamiliar or insane one to take. But I have to wonder, given the sample of your rap that I've listened to (which is admittedly smaller than I'd normally like to develop a concrete opinion) I'm wondering how you're going to make a difference. That's not a knock on you musically in the slightest, from a musical standpoint you're fine, but I'm a little worried about your themes. I don't exactly take issue with your themes, but I don't see how you expect to change the world be writing about your suburban teenage lifestyle. You choose your own subject matter, but I just wanted to make sure that you understood what I perceive to be a disconnect between your subjects and subjects that change the world. I very much admire how willing you are to chase your dreams though, it's something a lot of people give up on far too easily.
Rachel- I'm worried by the proximity of acronyms between the IPC (Inspirational People Club) and ICP (Insane Clown Posse) as it's important beyond belief to keep these two groups of people separate from one another. What you say about those who are truly inspirational not seeking out that role is a dangerous generalization to make, yes, some people have the natural abilities of a born leader and when the mantle of leadership is given to them, they make the most of that opportunity. But a another whole subset of inspirational people scratched and fought for every inch of power they could get in order to gain the respect that they had when their bodies gave out and their lives ended. Neither is more admirable, and neither is more moral, so I think it's unfair to leave out one group or the other.
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ReplyDeleteI'm not really that good at any one thing. I find that I'm actually mediocre at a bunch of things rather. I guess though if i were to say what i do, I lead. I'm pretty good at leading things, i'm good at telling people what to do, as a hip hop star once said, "I'm Bossy." As seeing my credentials in student government, I do my best to lead, maybe I'm not even good at it, but I feel like i'm not half bad at it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if i will do this in the future, but i will do something. That something though, not quite sure about that one. I think i might want to lead something, whether or not it has a great title to it like President of the United States or Mayor of Smalltown America, i'll lead something. I always manage to lead in whatever i do, it's not really a hobby but more of a personality trait that i've had in me for awhile now.
I do believe in HH's quote on contribution because you're truly a waste of space on Earth if you don't contribute something somewhere. It doesn't have to be the cure to cancer or the fiscal policy that'll save the country's economy, but you've got to give something.
It makes sense and like i said up there, since it doesn't have to be something great, it's not impossible at all. Anybody can give something to the world, even just a warm smile to light up the room. Definitely not a bunch of nonsense.
Since my parents divorced at a rather young age, it left my mother, my brother, and myself to fend for ourselves in a way. With no father figure really in my life, it forced me to grow up a lot quicker than most kids. I became an adult way quicker than my family probably wanted, but it happened. I offered someone to talk to in my family when nobody else is there. Even today, as immature and stupid as i may be sometimes, i offer a great ear to listen whether you're my best friend or my sibling, I'm great at listening and i'm great with advice.
Well i want my legacy to be that of someone who people enjoyed being around. I want people to think about me and smile a little bit, maybe even let out a little chuckle. That's what i really want. I don't want to be famous, i'll take it, but that's not necessarily my goal. I want to die a great friend, a great husband, a great son, a great father, a great guy. That's who i want to be.