The future terrifies and excites me.
I am terrified to go to college, not because I will have to leave my parents or home, but because I shall be separated from my friends and I am terrified that the distance will separate us and I may lose them. Maybe this just means that we aren't good enough friends. I am not scared to leave my family. Why? I believe it is because I know that they will always be there when I return home and I shall always be in contact with them, even if its a simple update on the family, I shall always be in contact with them, save for the minute possibility of a falling out with the entire family. (That itself would prove to be quite the feat, my extended family is rather exorbitant, and each member has somehow managed to have an astoundingly capacious heart.) But I am terrified to leave my friends because I cannot say for certain that they will be there when I return. And this saddens me. Right now I cannot imagine life without my 4 best friends but when college comes around, we will most likely be in different states, we shall have different friends, classes, experiences and lives. I know my one best friend, who also happens to be my neighbor, the person I grew up with always nearby, and 2 years my junior, will always be there for me because that is how it is now. We can go for weeks without seeing each other because we attend different schools and have different groups. However, once we see each other, it is always as though no time has lapsed. The only hard part is relating to each other about our other friends because I don't know hers and she doesn't know mine, however we get through it easily enough. This example gives me hope, because if my neighbor and I can talk about our other friends, then my other 3 best friends and I should be able to do this in college, yes? That's what I do with my eldest sister as well. She is off at college, yet I still can talk to her about my friends, and with a simple description of the situation she can formulate an opinion and can help me through my problems. This again gives me hope that my friendship with my 4 best friends will persevere. I am not worried about the friendship with my neighbor. I am still worried about the friendship with my school best friends though, but it lessens the more I think about it. I just wish I could know for certain whether or not we shall stay friends because if we aren't going to then I shall just have to do something to change that.
Addition: 10.11.08
I recently read the blog of Kathryn Lynn titled "Who's Life is it Anyway?" she had an article on the future as well however, she included, or somewhat compared, the past. Here I have put some of her article in, the stuff in quotes, obviously, and I also have posted my response to her blog. This is an example of what I have brought up before, that is, hearing new opinions on an idea, whether by conversation or reading, is an excellent way to brain storm and consider whether your opinion is truly the one you wish to hold. Here it goes:
Katharyn Lynn's article:
“My cousin fears the future, because it is open and unknown. That's the very reason I love it. It's the past that terrifies me.” “The past haunts, the future doesn't. Moreover, the scariest thing is that … the past…can’t be changed.”
”I have no fear of the future. Apart from unchangeable things like death, and illness, and of course the happening of bad things, the future is malleable, malleable to my will. I think people worry about the future because they are afraid they won’t get what they want. I’m not afraid of the future; I’m not worried that I won’t get what I want. I’m worried that what I want isn’t right, and won't realise it until I've already attained it. The past is set in stone and there is no recovering from it. What’s done is done... and cannot be undone. The past is so final, unmoving and concrete. The only thing one can do is accept it and work past it, or hide it and work past it.”
“…I like to have contingency plans and a wide variety of options open to me at all times. An exit plan. Several, if I can manage it, the more the better. Anything set in stone with no room for variety scares me a bit, that’s why the past is terrifying.”
”You might not know what went wrong, that you even made a mistake until further down the line when you look back … But there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. It's done. In the past. Set. In. Stone. You might make amends for any wrongs you have done, try to make the best of a situation you've already botched, but when it comes down to it, it's too late.”
”How is that not terrifying?
The future?
Is freedom...
where the past is a prison."
My (dismal in comparison) response:
Your article on the future was really interesting! Your opinion is the opposite of mine, however, after having read yours I understand what you mean about both the future and the past. I had never painted the past as a prison in my mind, although, now that I consider this idea I realize I should have a long time ago. The past truly can haunt you whereas the future can hold anything you want it to. After all, regrets are only in the past, you can't regret the future. It is like how I have said before that vision is 20/20 in hindsight. At the time of your decision it may have seemed the right thing to do, but looking back you can see what should have been done. IN that sense I still fear the future, because, similar to what you stated, I am fearful of making the wrong decision. I love reading new opinions of ideas because they make me reconsider my opinions of the ideas, or sometimes, well, most of the time, make me consider an idea for the first time.
When you talked about being stuck in the future, I was at first befuddled by the idea, but I now know what you mean. And I have hence realized I am in the same situation. I am in high school now but all through middle school I couldn't wait to go to high school and now in high school I can't wait to go to college. I am already looking at colleges and thinking about where I wish to attend. I am always planning my future instead of living in the present, and because of that I miss out on the present. It's like I am waiting my life away. Your ideas have been eye opening for me.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Poems/quotes/random etc
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it , live it and never give it back.
http://www.indianchild.com/if_i_had_my_life.htm
I will be there.......
If one day you feel like crying...
Call me.
I don't promise that I will make you laugh,
But I can cry with you
If one day you want to run away--
Don't be afraid to call me.
I don't promise to ask you to stop...
But I can run with you
If one day you don't want to listen
to anyone...
Call me.
I promise to be there for you.
And I promise to be very quiet.
But if one day you call...
And there is no answer...
Come fast to see me.
Perhaps I need you.
-The End
http://www.indianchild.com/i_will_be_there.htm
Lessons in Life.
I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you can't.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many years you have lived
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I've learned that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon
http://www.indianchild.com/lesson_in_life.htm
-"Me; I'm dishonest, and you can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest: Honestly. It's the honest ones you want to look out for, because you can never tell when they're going to do something incredibly...stupid..." Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow
-"...be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene V
-"When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married." Benedick, "Much Ado About Nothing", Act II, Scene III
-"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." Thomas Paine, Crisis 1.
-"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." Benjamin Franklin
-"I believe in Christianity as I believe that he sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C.S. Lewis.
-"It is by the goodness of God that we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them." Mark Twain.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it , live it and never give it back.
http://www.indianchild.com/if_i_had_my_life.htm
I will be there.......
If one day you feel like crying...
Call me.
I don't promise that I will make you laugh,
But I can cry with you
If one day you want to run away--
Don't be afraid to call me.
I don't promise to ask you to stop...
But I can run with you
If one day you don't want to listen
to anyone...
Call me.
I promise to be there for you.
And I promise to be very quiet.
But if one day you call...
And there is no answer...
Come fast to see me.
Perhaps I need you.
-The End
http://www.indianchild.com/i_will_be_there.htm
Lessons in Life.
I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you can't.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many years you have lived
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I've learned that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon
http://www.indianchild.com/lesson_in_life.htm
-"Me; I'm dishonest, and you can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest: Honestly. It's the honest ones you want to look out for, because you can never tell when they're going to do something incredibly...stupid..." Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow
-"...be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene V
-"When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married." Benedick, "Much Ado About Nothing", Act II, Scene III
-"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." Thomas Paine, Crisis 1.
-"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." Benjamin Franklin
-"I believe in Christianity as I believe that he sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C.S. Lewis.
-"It is by the goodness of God that we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them." Mark Twain.
Friends...more
This isn't mine but I liked it, well most of it
FRIENDSHIP IS A PRICELESS GIFT
THAT CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD
BUT ITS VALUE IS FAR GREATER
THAN THE MOUNTAIN MADE OF GOLD
FOR GOLD IS COLD & LIFELESS
IT CAN NEITHER SEE NOR HEAR
& IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE
IT IS POWER LESS 2 CHEER--
IT HAS NO EARS 2 LISTEN
NOR HEART 2 UNDERSTAND
IT CANNOT BRING U COMFORT
OR REACH OUT A HELPING HAND
SO WHEN U ASK
GOD FOR A GIFT
BE THANKFUL IF HE SENDS
NOT DIAMONDS, PEARLS OR RICHES
BUT THE LOVE OF REAL TRUE FRIENDS
http://www.indianchild.com/best_friend_poems.htm
http://www.indianchild.com/a_true_friend.htm
Because you're my Best Friend..
Simple vs Real
Anyone can stand by you when you are right, but a Friend will stand by you even when you are wrong...
http://www.indianchild.com/best_friend_poems.htmA simple friend identifies himself when he calls. A real friend doesn't have to.
A simple friend opens a conversation with a full news bulletin on his life.
A real friend says, "What's new with you?"
A simple friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent.
A real friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."
A simple friend has never seen you cry. A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names. A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed. A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems. A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest. A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument.
A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be there for them. A real friend expects to always be there for you!
FRIENDSHIP IS A PRICELESS GIFT
THAT CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD
BUT ITS VALUE IS FAR GREATER
THAN THE MOUNTAIN MADE OF GOLD
FOR GOLD IS COLD & LIFELESS
IT CAN NEITHER SEE NOR HEAR
& IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE
IT IS POWER LESS 2 CHEER--
IT HAS NO EARS 2 LISTEN
NOR HEART 2 UNDERSTAND
IT CANNOT BRING U COMFORT
OR REACH OUT A HELPING HAND
SO WHEN U ASK
GOD FOR A GIFT
BE THANKFUL IF HE SENDS
NOT DIAMONDS, PEARLS OR RICHES
BUT THE LOVE OF REAL TRUE FRIENDS
http://www.indianchild.com/best_friend_poems.htm
CUTE Friendship saying :
No man or woman is worth your tears.
The only one who is, will never make you cry.
If you love someone, put their name in a circle, instead of a heart.
Hearts can break, but circles go on forever.
Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say.
Best friends listen to what you don't .
If all my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them. I'd be at the bottom to catch them.
Don't frown, because you never know who's falling in love with your smile !
It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone---but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."- Mother Teresa
http://www.indianchild.com/a_true_friend.htm
Because you're my Best Friend..
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Realizations
A short time ago I was driving home and I began to think about what I thought I would need to be happy in life, either now, or when I am older.
Here's part of the list
friends
a nice, expensive home in a wealthy neighborhood
a nice, expensive car
a jealousy worthy job
a handsome husband
beautiful children
a beautiful property
riches
a perfect life
expensive clothing
a perfect appearance
a perfect pet
a barn
a lake house
a mountain house
to be high in society
to be invited to all the exclusive social events
Then as I reflected on the list, I realized that a majority of my list was incredibly superficial and I consequently thought about what really matters, and what would really make me happy.
my health
my husband/child's health
my immediate family's health and my relatives' health
friends
a purpose (job, motherhood...)
Then I thought about my some of my friends' families. My old best friend, before I moved to a different state, just had to suffer the sudden death of her healthy, middle aged father. And I pondered how horrid that would be. Then I realized another friend, that I knew from sports also just had her father die after a routine surgery, he died of a sudden heart attack. Then I thought of my dad's best friend growing up. He was divorced and is now remarried, happily, and has a beautiful 5 year old girl. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has been given 3 months to live, and told the survival rate of this particular branch of cancer only- I think it was -5% of the people diagnosed survive it, so he and his wife now know he is going to die. His beautiful little girl will have to grow up without her father. No dad to go with her to father's day at school, no dad to go to soccer practice with, no one to give her away at her wedding and no father-daughter dances. After this depressing thought train, I began to think about my father, and how much I love him. I never quite realized it before, nor did I ever give him the credit, but he is a truly amazing person. And if he dies before his time, I am not sure I would ever recover. He is a big part of me and I love him dearly. He's the one I joke around with, play tricks and pranks on, warm up for soccer games with, I go to for advice about nearly everything, and the one that I get excited about little things with. He's my dad and I know him the way no one else does, because no one has the same relationship with him as I do, not my sisters or mother, only him and I have our relationship.
What do you believe you need to be happy in your current or future life? Examine your list. Do you see any patterns? Is there something/one that you are unappreciative of? Or maybe you made the same realization as I did. In any event, try to reflect on what you have and imagine if you lost it, what would you do? Take the time to appreciate it now.
I recently came across a quote on the subject of things a person regrets not doing now that she/he is older. One of the things was about listening to his/her grandparents ramble on about his/her childhood. This quote made me think, and I realized I really do not know my grandparents as I should. I have forever lived far away from them and thus, I hardly ever am granted the opportunity to spend time with them. So I spoke with my father about his father and I discovered some truly flabbergasting facts. I was then inspired to write a letter to my grandfather asking him about his life and explaining that I wish I knew him better. I am currently working on the letter. I told my dad about my idea and he thinks his father will love it, now I just need the time to write it, and write it correctly. Lesson I learned here: Before you go out to search for a famous person to meet, look first to the amazing people around you. Their stories may just be more interesting than any famous person's life. Look around you at the things commonly glanced over and reevaluate their importance, you may realize how necessary they are to your life.
Here's part of the list
friends
a nice, expensive home in a wealthy neighborhood
a nice, expensive car
a jealousy worthy job
a handsome husband
beautiful children
a beautiful property
riches
a perfect life
expensive clothing
a perfect appearance
a perfect pet
a barn
a lake house
a mountain house
to be high in society
to be invited to all the exclusive social events
Then as I reflected on the list, I realized that a majority of my list was incredibly superficial and I consequently thought about what really matters, and what would really make me happy.
my health
my husband/child's health
my immediate family's health and my relatives' health
friends
a purpose (job, motherhood...)
Then I thought about my some of my friends' families. My old best friend, before I moved to a different state, just had to suffer the sudden death of her healthy, middle aged father. And I pondered how horrid that would be. Then I realized another friend, that I knew from sports also just had her father die after a routine surgery, he died of a sudden heart attack. Then I thought of my dad's best friend growing up. He was divorced and is now remarried, happily, and has a beautiful 5 year old girl. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has been given 3 months to live, and told the survival rate of this particular branch of cancer only- I think it was -5% of the people diagnosed survive it, so he and his wife now know he is going to die. His beautiful little girl will have to grow up without her father. No dad to go with her to father's day at school, no dad to go to soccer practice with, no one to give her away at her wedding and no father-daughter dances. After this depressing thought train, I began to think about my father, and how much I love him. I never quite realized it before, nor did I ever give him the credit, but he is a truly amazing person. And if he dies before his time, I am not sure I would ever recover. He is a big part of me and I love him dearly. He's the one I joke around with, play tricks and pranks on, warm up for soccer games with, I go to for advice about nearly everything, and the one that I get excited about little things with. He's my dad and I know him the way no one else does, because no one has the same relationship with him as I do, not my sisters or mother, only him and I have our relationship.
What do you believe you need to be happy in your current or future life? Examine your list. Do you see any patterns? Is there something/one that you are unappreciative of? Or maybe you made the same realization as I did. In any event, try to reflect on what you have and imagine if you lost it, what would you do? Take the time to appreciate it now.
I recently came across a quote on the subject of things a person regrets not doing now that she/he is older. One of the things was about listening to his/her grandparents ramble on about his/her childhood. This quote made me think, and I realized I really do not know my grandparents as I should. I have forever lived far away from them and thus, I hardly ever am granted the opportunity to spend time with them. So I spoke with my father about his father and I discovered some truly flabbergasting facts. I was then inspired to write a letter to my grandfather asking him about his life and explaining that I wish I knew him better. I am currently working on the letter. I told my dad about my idea and he thinks his father will love it, now I just need the time to write it, and write it correctly. Lesson I learned here: Before you go out to search for a famous person to meet, look first to the amazing people around you. Their stories may just be more interesting than any famous person's life. Look around you at the things commonly glanced over and reevaluate their importance, you may realize how necessary they are to your life.
Qualities
What qualities are most important to you?
bravery
intelligence
wit
humor
courage
kindness
craftiness
decisiveness
appearance
loyalty
etc...
Which do you seek in a friend?
a partner?
yourself?
bravery
intelligence
wit
humor
courage
kindness
craftiness
decisiveness
appearance
loyalty
etc...
Which do you seek in a friend?
a partner?
yourself?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Think About It...
Here I shall post controversies, statements, questions and the like. I am doing this to catalyze the public's thinking. It can be fun to consider controversies, especially ones you never realized existed. My goal is that these postings will make you think, and spur you to post a response, I would love to know what people are thinking, the exchange of knowledge and opinions is the only way to advance in this world, from new knowledge one can create more and possibly discover something brilliant. Without the sharing of knowledge, opinions, or thought, no advancements would be possible. Conversations open up new points of view and lighten every aspect of a situation, it's a brilliant way to enhance your understanding. As brainstorming aids the dissection of a topic, conversing aids the understanding of a controversy and allows someone to view the depth of a simple question. In addition, you should be aware of others' opinions, otherwise, how do you know if your opinion is really your opinion? An outside opinion can cause yours to change, because the new can present a new side you never noticed. Conversation can be a truly fascinating experience, but only if there is more than one person participating.
In an English class, we read 1984 by George Orwell. My teacher handed out a sheet of paper with a list of statements and we had to decide whether we agreed with them, disagreed or couldn't decide. Some of them were very interesting to me. We had to choose one to debate in an essay, and I found that having to explain your opinion can change it completely. So if you read this and decide where your loyalties lie, choose one to write about or discuss the topic with someone, it can be enlightening. Especially ones you are undecided about, writing about it or discussing it can lift the confusion. I unfortunately cannot source this paper because my teacher didn't write it nor did she include her source, but I henceforth release any claims to the statements being original, only my opinions on them are my own. Here we go: (words in parentheses are some of my thoughts, I hope they will act as an aid to spur yours)
1.Those who would exchange freedom for security deserve neither.
--(so do we, as a public, not deserve freedom because we gave up some freedoms, like stealing/ common law, in order to have an orderly society?)(I think Thomas Jefferson once commented on this as well)
2. To assure our country's freedom, the government should be able to spy on its citizens.
3. Patriotism means supporting your government during times of war.
--(how do you define patriotism?)
4. Torture of a person who is a threat to our country's freedom is acceptable as long as the person does not die.
--(what kind of torture?)
--(is it better to torture someone now to get information out of him or her about a threat and be able to save hundreds, or thousands of people later by dispelling said threat? Is it okay to hurt one person to save one hundred others? one thousand? a state? a country? a school of children?)
5. People who are a serious threat to the government should be able to be held in prison without being charged.
--( how does one know someone is a serious threat?)
6. The government has a right to know what people are reading so that they may determine who might be a threat.
7. Society would be safer if we had security cameras in public places to catch potential criminals.
8. For an idea to exist, we must have words to express it.
--(an idea exists in your mind, but is it not real until someone else has heard it?)
9. Reporters should submit their work to government officials so they may determine if it's a threat to the country.
10. The only way to prepare for peace is to be prepared for war.
What is reality?
-is it tangible?
-how do you know you aren't dreaming right now?
-ideas and things
-things-finite? are real?
-ideas-changing? abstractly real?
Brain vs Mind
-is the brain a vehicle for your mind?
--temporary inability to recall something is because the path to attain the knowledge is under construction??
-mind wanders- not brain wanders
-brain: scientific -mind: feelings, ideas
-you can have multiple versions of an idea of a chair when you are told to grab one but the chair you are told to grab is only one version
Perception -do you think it plays an important role??
Perception
How do we know that what I see as the color blue is really the same thing you see as blue and not just what your brain has been taught to define as blue. What if my blue is really your purple?
Redefinition
Redefinition is an interesting concept, it is employed often and often without our realizing it.
Is redefining something for your purpose justifiable?
example: cloning--is it disobedience or progress? was the eating of the apple by Adam and Eve disobedience or progress? from a scientific standpoint? what about flying? disobedience because we weren't made with wings or progress beause we are applying our superior minds to enhance our lives?
What is intelligence?
How do we know what we know?
Is knowing the truth important?
Is truth something you create (when using rhetoric) or is truth something that objectively exists?
Rhetoric
At school I was assigned to read an article dealing with rhetoric and rhetorical strategies. I found it very interesting and I now see it used in everyday life, even in the recent presidential debates, both candidates used rhetoric.
Quotes from: Chapter 1: 'Rhetoric and/or Philosophy' book and author unknown
Rhetorical strategies:
-redefine terms
-rhetorical questions
-appeal to popularity
-qualifying terms or making a distinction
-using connotative language
-**"the art, as they [Sophists] declared, by which opinions and beliefs are shaped, ignorance instructed, minds and heart persuaded, persons changed, careers advanced, communities joined, and the fates of cities and nations guided."
-**"the art by which societies decide the things that matter the most"
-**"technique, or collection of techniques for composing "effective" discourse'
-**"manipulate a crowd by playing on its preconceptions and emotions merely for personal gain"
-"Shouldn't we care, for example, what justice is? Or should we care only about getting our way? Shouldn't the persuaders care if their persuasion helps or hurts the community? Or is the persuader just an isolated, disconnected, self-serving individual, a kind of privateer? Ans besides can the superficial manipulator I'm describing really be successful with intelligent. well-informed, and thoughtful persons, who care about the subject and have spent some time inquiring into it
?"
-**"finding, or inventing the argument most worthy of belief in a given situation by imagining the possibilities and by considering different, even opposing points of view."
-**"the use of reason and critical thought to search for, or invent, the most persuasive argument, the one most worthy of belief, in a given set of circumstances."
** means definition of rhetoric in article.
So what is rhetoric to you? Have you used it? Do you now notice it?? Will you now notice it or use it?- rhetoric is an interesting concept, and definitely one which I wish I had the time to delve further into.
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black.
In my AP US history class we recently studied the formation of the constitution and thus the new government. Logically along with this we studied the opinions of different groups about the role of government. This caused me to begin to think about what I think a government should be.
Is government around to provide protection?
...provide medicine, roads, buildings?
...manage trade/commerce?
...settle disputes with the courts?
...organize the leaders of the country?
Then a few days ago, after I had been ruminating about this idea for a month or so, I found an article which happened to be in the Indianapolis Star Newspaper titled, "What Does Indianapolis Value" by reporter: Brendan O'Shaughnessy. It discussed the purpose of government as I had been considering it. -"is the gov a provider of services?" -"is the gov a cultural institution responsible for civic improvement?" So now back to outside the article, more questions/possible answers: -"some would say, government is here to protect us. Others would say, government is here to provide social services or protect private property." (http://www.federalrepublic.net/?p=8/)
-John Locke in his Second Treatise on Government says :the purpose of government was to protect life, liberty, and property.
SO there are some theories on government's purpose, what are your ideas? do you agree/ disagree with some of these points? do you have a new theory??
Some random inquiries...
-Is it cowardly to retreat from attainable knowledge?
-**What shows love?
-words, actions, etc
-Battle against ignorance
-is it not the only never ending battle?
-Don't you have to understand the inner workings of a system in order to undermine it?
-In hindsight, vision is 20/20
-do you believe this?
-Undermine a system from the inside out: deplete medical supplies, stop education of doctors and nurses- how does a group compete in a war if it can’t heal its individuals??
-**You have to observe all new occurrences in a community and draw connections- seeing a decrease in medical supplies= possibility of an enemy undermining system by attacking the healing capabilities of its enemy
-**without the ability to heal we would be completely vulnerable if attacked
-**soul vs life
is there a difference
-how do you win a war?
-instilling fear in a community is an effective way of undermining it in order to win a war. People won’t communicate with one another b/c they don’t know who they can trust, and without knowing all the information, because people are too afraid to share it, and their opinions, how are you supposed to recognize patterns?
-**is there a difference between killing someone and taking a life?
-**what makes life…life?
-is studying your own life important?
-aka touring your own hometown? Learning your city’s history? Learning your parents or grandparents history?
-**is it more important to study what happens when two things are put together or why it happens?
-is it okay to hurt someone because of what they are? Who they are? Where they were born? Into which family/community/country they were born? Is it not the same in a court case that a bystander in a robbery is innocent? They were there during the robbery just as an enemy civilian was there during a time of war. What about those forced to fight by their country, they are not there by choice, not fighting or killing you by their own volition but in self preservation. Then why is it okay to kill an Iraqi civilian or stop an Iraqi in an airport for questioning just because of where (s)he lives or what (s)he is? What about who (s)he is??
-**“I have nothing but ignorance”
-**why don’t questions/problems wait in a line, do they have to attack you all at once??
-**we are at the mercy of our neighbors
-when is something indelible?
-what is common sense?
NOTE:the starred (**) items are ideas/concepts/quotes partially or fully borrowed/ inspired from an author I met through fanfiction.net under the screen name of Kathryn's NomDePlume. She granted me her permission to borrow the ideas and I henceforth denounce any claim to these quotes. Her story 'Every Other Midnight' is a wonderful, thought provoking, engaging piece of literary work and you should check it out if you can :)
In an English class, we read 1984 by George Orwell. My teacher handed out a sheet of paper with a list of statements and we had to decide whether we agreed with them, disagreed or couldn't decide. Some of them were very interesting to me. We had to choose one to debate in an essay, and I found that having to explain your opinion can change it completely. So if you read this and decide where your loyalties lie, choose one to write about or discuss the topic with someone, it can be enlightening. Especially ones you are undecided about, writing about it or discussing it can lift the confusion. I unfortunately cannot source this paper because my teacher didn't write it nor did she include her source, but I henceforth release any claims to the statements being original, only my opinions on them are my own. Here we go: (words in parentheses are some of my thoughts, I hope they will act as an aid to spur yours)
1.Those who would exchange freedom for security deserve neither.
--(so do we, as a public, not deserve freedom because we gave up some freedoms, like stealing/ common law, in order to have an orderly society?)(I think Thomas Jefferson once commented on this as well)
2. To assure our country's freedom, the government should be able to spy on its citizens.
3. Patriotism means supporting your government during times of war.
--(how do you define patriotism?)
4. Torture of a person who is a threat to our country's freedom is acceptable as long as the person does not die.
--(what kind of torture?)
--(is it better to torture someone now to get information out of him or her about a threat and be able to save hundreds, or thousands of people later by dispelling said threat? Is it okay to hurt one person to save one hundred others? one thousand? a state? a country? a school of children?)
5. People who are a serious threat to the government should be able to be held in prison without being charged.
--( how does one know someone is a serious threat?)
6. The government has a right to know what people are reading so that they may determine who might be a threat.
7. Society would be safer if we had security cameras in public places to catch potential criminals.
8. For an idea to exist, we must have words to express it.
--(an idea exists in your mind, but is it not real until someone else has heard it?)
9. Reporters should submit their work to government officials so they may determine if it's a threat to the country.
10. The only way to prepare for peace is to be prepared for war.
What is reality?
-is it tangible?
-how do you know you aren't dreaming right now?
-ideas and things
-things-finite? are real?
-ideas-changing? abstractly real?
Brain vs Mind
-is the brain a vehicle for your mind?
--temporary inability to recall something is because the path to attain the knowledge is under construction??
-mind wanders- not brain wanders
-brain: scientific -mind: feelings, ideas
-you can have multiple versions of an idea of a chair when you are told to grab one but the chair you are told to grab is only one version
Perception -do you think it plays an important role??
Perception
How do we know that what I see as the color blue is really the same thing you see as blue and not just what your brain has been taught to define as blue. What if my blue is really your purple?
Redefinition
Redefinition is an interesting concept, it is employed often and often without our realizing it.
Is redefining something for your purpose justifiable?
example: cloning--is it disobedience or progress? was the eating of the apple by Adam and Eve disobedience or progress? from a scientific standpoint? what about flying? disobedience because we weren't made with wings or progress beause we are applying our superior minds to enhance our lives?
What is intelligence?
How do we know what we know?
Is knowing the truth important?
Is truth something you create (when using rhetoric) or is truth something that objectively exists?
Rhetoric
At school I was assigned to read an article dealing with rhetoric and rhetorical strategies. I found it very interesting and I now see it used in everyday life, even in the recent presidential debates, both candidates used rhetoric.
Quotes from: Chapter 1: 'Rhetoric and/or Philosophy' book and author unknown
Rhetorical strategies:
-redefine terms
-rhetorical questions
-appeal to popularity
-qualifying terms or making a distinction
-using connotative language
-**"the art, as they [Sophists] declared, by which opinions and beliefs are shaped, ignorance instructed, minds and heart persuaded, persons changed, careers advanced, communities joined, and the fates of cities and nations guided."
-**"the art by which societies decide the things that matter the most"
-**"technique, or collection of techniques for composing "effective" discourse'
-**"manipulate a crowd by playing on its preconceptions and emotions merely for personal gain"
-"Shouldn't we care, for example, what justice is? Or should we care only about getting our way? Shouldn't the persuaders care if their persuasion helps or hurts the community? Or is the persuader just an isolated, disconnected, self-serving individual, a kind of privateer? Ans besides can the superficial manipulator I'm describing really be successful with intelligent. well-informed, and thoughtful persons, who care about the subject and have spent some time inquiring into it
?"
-**"finding, or inventing the argument most worthy of belief in a given situation by imagining the possibilities and by considering different, even opposing points of view."
-**"the use of reason and critical thought to search for, or invent, the most persuasive argument, the one most worthy of belief, in a given set of circumstances."
** means definition of rhetoric in article.
So what is rhetoric to you? Have you used it? Do you now notice it?? Will you now notice it or use it?- rhetoric is an interesting concept, and definitely one which I wish I had the time to delve further into.
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black.
"Why the big secret? People are smart. They can handle it."
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Fifteen hundred years ago everybody knew the Earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on this planet. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow."
In my AP US history class we recently studied the formation of the constitution and thus the new government. Logically along with this we studied the opinions of different groups about the role of government. This caused me to begin to think about what I think a government should be.
Is government around to provide protection?
...provide medicine, roads, buildings?
...manage trade/commerce?
...settle disputes with the courts?
...organize the leaders of the country?
Then a few days ago, after I had been ruminating about this idea for a month or so, I found an article which happened to be in the Indianapolis Star Newspaper titled, "What Does Indianapolis Value" by reporter: Brendan O'Shaughnessy. It discussed the purpose of government as I had been considering it. -"is the gov a provider of services?" -"is the gov a cultural institution responsible for civic improvement?" So now back to outside the article, more questions/possible answers: -"some would say, government is here to protect us. Others would say, government is here to provide social services or protect private property." (http://www.federalrepublic.net/?p=8/)
-John Locke in his Second Treatise on Government says :the purpose of government was to protect life, liberty, and property.
SO there are some theories on government's purpose, what are your ideas? do you agree/ disagree with some of these points? do you have a new theory??
Some random inquiries...
-Is it cowardly to retreat from attainable knowledge?
-**What shows love?
-words, actions, etc
-Battle against ignorance
-is it not the only never ending battle?
-Don't you have to understand the inner workings of a system in order to undermine it?
-In hindsight, vision is 20/20
-do you believe this?
-Undermine a system from the inside out: deplete medical supplies, stop education of doctors and nurses- how does a group compete in a war if it can’t heal its individuals??
-**You have to observe all new occurrences in a community and draw connections- seeing a decrease in medical supplies= possibility of an enemy undermining system by attacking the healing capabilities of its enemy
-**without the ability to heal we would be completely vulnerable if attacked
-**soul vs life
is there a difference
-how do you win a war?
-instilling fear in a community is an effective way of undermining it in order to win a war. People won’t communicate with one another b/c they don’t know who they can trust, and without knowing all the information, because people are too afraid to share it, and their opinions, how are you supposed to recognize patterns?
-**is there a difference between killing someone and taking a life?
-**what makes life…life?
-is studying your own life important?
-aka touring your own hometown? Learning your city’s history? Learning your parents or grandparents history?
-**is it more important to study what happens when two things are put together or why it happens?
-is it okay to hurt someone because of what they are? Who they are? Where they were born? Into which family/community/country they were born? Is it not the same in a court case that a bystander in a robbery is innocent? They were there during the robbery just as an enemy civilian was there during a time of war. What about those forced to fight by their country, they are not there by choice, not fighting or killing you by their own volition but in self preservation. Then why is it okay to kill an Iraqi civilian or stop an Iraqi in an airport for questioning just because of where (s)he lives or what (s)he is? What about who (s)he is??
-**“I have nothing but ignorance”
-**why don’t questions/problems wait in a line, do they have to attack you all at once??
-**we are at the mercy of our neighbors
-when is something indelible?
-what is common sense?
NOTE:the starred (**) items are ideas/concepts/quotes partially or fully borrowed/ inspired from an author I met through fanfiction.net under the screen name of Kathryn's NomDePlume. She granted me her permission to borrow the ideas and I henceforth denounce any claim to these quotes. Her story 'Every Other Midnight' is a wonderful, thought provoking, engaging piece of literary work and you should check it out if you can :)
The Little Things...Friends
Why I love my friends
They are crazy
They know the real me and still actually want to spend time with me
They know me better than I know myself
They always seem so wise
...possess the qualities I myself want
...are amazing people, and are made even more amazing by the fact that they don't understand that
I didn't have real, true friends until last year, and now that I have them I'm never letting them go
I think its a comfort to know that once I call someone my friend, especially my best friend, that that fact can never change, after all the past is unchangeable, even if we drift apart or are separated by distance, I shall always be able to say that person was my friend.
Just one look from a best friend can erupt nearly any emotion I am capable of.
They simply make me happy
I'm slow to consider someone a friend, that title is the most precious to me, and I tend not to deal it out easily, so if I call you a friend I mean it, and it means I truly enjoy your company and my world would be much hazier without your added vision to enhance my own
I believe my best friends and I are one soul, torn apart in history and now, by way of a miracle, reunited to reform the whole. Without each other we are incomplete, and we don't make sense. A part of a soul can survive but only a complete soul can live.
I love being able to have someone to talk to, about any subject, at any time and in any place.
I love having friends, because no matter the surroundings, circumstances, or time we can devise a way to have fun.
...because we can make anything funny.
...because I am more outgoing with them
...because my friends are my friends are my friends are my friends, and that isn't amenable।
Quote from a best friend:
"I feel like best friends means listening to one another more than anything." "I feel comfortable asking you anything but I had no need to ask you about the stupid rumors circulating because I know they aren't true. I trust that you'd tell me if they were and if you don't then I totally consider them to be false-no questions asked."
What would you do for a friend?
Would you risk your life for one?
Would you give up going somewhere you have always wanted to go to comfort a friend in need?
Would you break a law for them?
Would you defend them?
..stand up for them? When they aren't there?
Is it better to have a few best friends or a group of friends?
They are crazy
They know the real me and still actually want to spend time with me
They know me better than I know myself
They always seem so wise
...possess the qualities I myself want
...are amazing people, and are made even more amazing by the fact that they don't understand that
I didn't have real, true friends until last year, and now that I have them I'm never letting them go
I think its a comfort to know that once I call someone my friend, especially my best friend, that that fact can never change, after all the past is unchangeable, even if we drift apart or are separated by distance, I shall always be able to say that person was my friend.
Just one look from a best friend can erupt nearly any emotion I am capable of.
They simply make me happy
I'm slow to consider someone a friend, that title is the most precious to me, and I tend not to deal it out easily, so if I call you a friend I mean it, and it means I truly enjoy your company and my world would be much hazier without your added vision to enhance my own
I believe my best friends and I are one soul, torn apart in history and now, by way of a miracle, reunited to reform the whole. Without each other we are incomplete, and we don't make sense. A part of a soul can survive but only a complete soul can live.
I love being able to have someone to talk to, about any subject, at any time and in any place.
I love having friends, because no matter the surroundings, circumstances, or time we can devise a way to have fun.
...because we can make anything funny.
...because I am more outgoing with them
...because my friends are my friends are my friends are my friends, and that isn't amenable।
Quote from a best friend:
"I feel like best friends means listening to one another more than anything." "I feel comfortable asking you anything but I had no need to ask you about the stupid rumors circulating because I know they aren't true. I trust that you'd tell me if they were and if you don't then I totally consider them to be false-no questions asked."
What would you do for a friend?
Would you risk your life for one?
Would you give up going somewhere you have always wanted to go to comfort a friend in need?
Would you break a law for them?
Would you defend them?
..stand up for them? When they aren't there?
Is it better to have a few best friends or a group of friends?
The Little Things...Relationships
In the past, I've thought about why I want a boyfriend and these are the thoughts I can remember :o)
To have someone to hug
To have someone to hold
To have someone to comfort you
A guy to stand behind you, arms around you, with his chin atop your head
To have a person to be alone with, that doesn't care how poorly you did on your last test or how mean you were because he knows you well enough to know that the former was a fluke and the latter is a rare occurrence
To have someone want you
...care about
...to share your burdens with, the load is much less daunting when facing its looming presence with a friend
...to talk to for hours,--that isn't your best girl friend
...to be with, and not have to be doing something amazing, because just being you is enough
To have a chest to snuggle into and ever inviting arms to retreat to for warmth and comfort
...to joke around with, flirt with
... that knows you so well, he can imagine your thoughts, predict your actions, and know things about you that you don't even yet know yourself
...that understands you
...to dance in a fountain with
...to walk on the beach with
...to stroll in the park beneath a blanket of moonlight
...to watch a movie with/go to the theatre with
...to try a new restaurant with
...to push you up against the wall :)
...whose presence immediately brightens your outlook on the day
...to miss
...to be obnoxious with
To have a lap to sit on
...to pick you up and twirl you around
...to dance with
Which relationship is most important to you?
With you significant other
With your friend(s)
...your immediate family
...your relatives
...community/neighbors
...pets
...other?
At least in high school, this stands true: If you spend a lot of time with a guy and casually flirt with him, just in fun, everyone automatically assumes you like said guy. Annoying as all get all if you ask me.
I believe this can be true:'I think I just like the idea of him, but not really him, just the idea of a boyfriend, but not the actual boy'
define 'like'
-ex: someone asks you whom you like...define 'like'
-ex: A guy in my year, I'll call him Max, I thought was attractive, but I don't really know him, not his personality or likes/dislikes, the extent of my knowledge about him is that his name is max, he is intelligent, and he plays baseball. So my question to you all is... how do you like someone you don't even actually know?
-my prompting suggestions
--you only think hes hot
--you think hes funny, etc
--but does thinking someone is attractive or humorous means you like them?
--how do you like something you don't know/understand??
To have someone to hug
To have someone to hold
To have someone to comfort you
A guy to stand behind you, arms around you, with his chin atop your head
To have a person to be alone with, that doesn't care how poorly you did on your last test or how mean you were because he knows you well enough to know that the former was a fluke and the latter is a rare occurrence
To have someone want you
...care about
...to share your burdens with, the load is much less daunting when facing its looming presence with a friend
...to talk to for hours,--that isn't your best girl friend
...to be with, and not have to be doing something amazing, because just being you is enough
To have a chest to snuggle into and ever inviting arms to retreat to for warmth and comfort
...to joke around with, flirt with
... that knows you so well, he can imagine your thoughts, predict your actions, and know things about you that you don't even yet know yourself
...that understands you
...to dance in a fountain with
...to walk on the beach with
...to stroll in the park beneath a blanket of moonlight
...to watch a movie with/go to the theatre with
...to try a new restaurant with
...to push you up against the wall :)
...whose presence immediately brightens your outlook on the day
...to miss
...to be obnoxious with
To have a lap to sit on
...to pick you up and twirl you around
...to dance with
Which relationship is most important to you?
With you significant other
With your friend(s)
...your immediate family
...your relatives
...community/neighbors
...pets
...other?
At least in high school, this stands true: If you spend a lot of time with a guy and casually flirt with him, just in fun, everyone automatically assumes you like said guy. Annoying as all get all if you ask me.
I believe this can be true:'I think I just like the idea of him, but not really him, just the idea of a boyfriend, but not the actual boy'
define 'like'
-ex: someone asks you whom you like...define 'like'
-ex: A guy in my year, I'll call him Max, I thought was attractive, but I don't really know him, not his personality or likes/dislikes, the extent of my knowledge about him is that his name is max, he is intelligent, and he plays baseball. So my question to you all is... how do you like someone you don't even actually know?
-my prompting suggestions
--you only think hes hot
--you think hes funny, etc
--but does thinking someone is attractive or humorous means you like them?
--how do you like something you don't know/understand??
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