Please post a comment or question about any of the TIB essays that struck you as particularly poignant, powerful, or important. Tell why it interested you, and then run with it--blog away about the project as a whole!
Novelist Luis Urrea's essay about Life as an act of Literary Creation was pretty intriguing to me, because I agree with him that awareness of the world around you is an important aspect of the art of living. He says that if you just look around, you can find plenty of stories and beauty in the world, and also says that if you don't look hard enough---or deep enough, rather---you'll miss a lot. I wonder, how many people would honestly consider themselves to be "aware" of the world around them? I mean, a full, deep awareness, looking below the surface of all the things around you---not necessarily awareness in a social sense, not being tuned in to all current events, but just having an honest appreciation for all the "storylines" flowing around us; how many people read God's poetry?
David Buetow's chronicles on how his life was changed by his canine companion, Duncan, sparked an interested me. I enjoyed the fact that such a simple idea about a man and his best friend was depicted in a strong, charismatic way. I was also touched by the fact that his dog had changed David completely; it made him view how the small things in life are something to consider and marvel at. He learned how to appreciate every minute of every day; it made me think: do I do this? I certainly do not, many people are the same way. However, it is, to me, admirable, and made me want to do the same; it provided me with a form of motivation. I should get my mom to read it-then she will possibly consider getting a family pet, and not a turtle. :)
I enjoyed reading the articles I chose; they were very insightful and enjoyable.
Under "Gratitude": (http://thisibelieve.org/essay/19213/)
I guess my favorite essay was "Leaving Identity Issues to Other Folks" by Phyllis Allen. Although it wasn't some tear jerking, eye-opening,emotional essay, I did find it interesting the way she cataloged her life and how her beliefs changed. She started out in the 1950's where she was taught to beleive that she should try to be the best she could and as a "colored" woman, that meant balcony seats, backdoor takeout, and putrid water fountains. However, as the civil rights movement came, she found herself to be a "negro" who would clench her fist in anger and fight for "the" cause. In the 80's she and her friends tried to reconnect with Africa, as "African-Americans" and in the 90s she realized it was less about race and more about money. After all this Allen claims that she holds very few beliefs but no longer lets the vacillations of social trends dictate them. I thought it was interesting because it reflected the way we grow and transform with society. Basically, how our belief systems are largely a function of our environment. It points out the fact that no matter what we may think consciously, our times partially determine our conceptions of self. Ironically, Allen claims that at 50, she is now impervious to this influence, however, only time will tell...
The essay that I consider my favorite was very emotional, heartbreaking and melancholic and it was "A kind and Generous Heart" by Christine Little under the "Illness" theme. I was very touched by the way that she described how her ill 13-year-old son, Dustin, was just laying in a hospital bed waiting for a heart transplant. He turned 14 and he was still attached to a machine that would help his heart beat. Christine believed in selfless gift after someone as young as Dustin donated their heart to him. Dustin lived for three, he was 17 and he was a healthy, smart teen in high school that got a girlfriend. He was enjoying life for once, but tragically his new heart failed too. She says that those were the best two years in her entire life. She got numerous memories, photographs and the memory of the selfless gift he also showed. When he died he donated his sky blue eyes to someone that needed them. She says that she will never forget that and that when she would see the person's eyes she would see her son's selfless gift on them. The essay made me think about how we always complain about a small and insignificant issues with our bodies, nose, eyes, etc. Instead, we should be thankful and graceful that we are healthy and alive while other are not so fortunate . It made me appreciate life and what I have more. I would also like to donate any organ from my body to someone that is in need.
By the way, since I'm a very sensitive person, it made cry :)
As I mentioned in class, I love the essay by astrophysicist Alan Lightman, "The Power of Mysteries". He reflects on his childhood wonder at the stars, and all of the questions he always had about the universe. Does the universe go on forever? Does it have an end? What about time? Does it just stretch on forever? Was there a beginning? All of these questions fueled his interest in scince and astrophysics. He points out that questions like these are what fuel everyone in science, that these questions are at the center of the works of many great thinkers. He goes on to say that he hopes no one ever finds the answers, because without mysteries and the unknown there would no longer be inspiration for science, art, and creativity. I love this essay because I do agree that the unknown is essential to fueling desire to learn, that there should always be questions we cannot answer!
There are a bunch of other essays I love as well but I need to stop myself before I write all night!
Man's Greatest Power was the one i enjoyed. Not particualrly for the essay, but for the belief.Unfortunately, or fortunately, i did not cry, yet i wad deeply connected to the essay. The fact that we as humans have an ability to choose, is something so great and profound that it is overlooked and often people claim that they do not have a choice. i personally get aggrevated by two things, when people wish to dwell in ignorance and when people claim that they "have to" do something or they had no "choice" in the matter. It simply tells me that you had no brain in the matter that you call your head. The author's awakening to the power of choice was through his reading of "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck. What made me smile in the essay though was the fact that this kid was still in school, when he realized the importance of having a choice. It gives me reassurance that there are teenagers with brains,who choose how their lives turn out, instead of simply being drug along by social trends.
I chose "Thought for Tomorrow" By Bernard Baruch for it was really one of the few that actually interested me. His writing gave me hope in humanity, and it confirmed my already standing beliefs. He believes in the progress of tomorrow even though tomorrow may bring disaster. And we will never achieve perfection for "Paradise is not for this world." There is no need for us to eradicate pain but needless suffering we can. Man will still be tainted, but with the use of decency we shall prevail over all.
The one essay which I found most interesting was "Testing The Limits of What I Know and What I Feel" by John Updike from the Self-Knowledge theme. I found that I share some of his views, concerning fiction and creativity. It is easier for us to relate and even become close to fictional characters more than celebrities in a T.V. program, since we do not explore their motives. We strive to understand the desires of fiction and we crave this indirect way of expression instead of hard analysis and factual information which is clear, cut and dry. I also find it interesting that he mentioned being of "two minds" - one which is logical and seeks to explain occurrences with scientific fact, and another who is concerned with desires and maybe illusions which we formulate to keep our ideas in place. I found it extremely captivating since I believe the exact same thing - which I think may be true for every human being. People usually either lean to hard facts and reasoning or creativity and fiction, though when one combines the two views and applies them to daily life, one is able to attain some kind of enlightenment and attain true self-knowledge.
Christina believes in forgiveness. on her "This I Believe" essay, Christina states that when it came to forgiving she found it dufficult when it came to her race. Her parents always tought to forgive but she found it difficult. But it wasn't until she realized that the sacfrice her parents made in immagrating to America that she realized that she and ultimately we(all) should let the petty things go because we should be thankful for the opprtunies that are given to us in this country. I loved this essay because, well, I realize that pmy family gave up almost everything they owned, to come to this country. They forgave the people who treated them unjustly because they were thinking of me and my future before I was even born. They could have packed back up their bags and go back home to raised me in a society with limited educational opprotunites for children. But they didn't. No longer will I let myself feel deprived!
One essay that talked about the fear of death which was very powerful to me. I believe that death is waiting for everyone some place and it is up to us to live our lives joyous and fun filled. The lady in this story was fighting cancer and she recovered from it in 2 years. When she moved to Michigan to start a new life, the cancer followed her. Because of this she is living in fear of dying. There will never be a cure for her fear until her death. It struck home with me because I believe that death is sometimes following where I go. So many accidents has happened where I was in a situation that could have taken my life. I stayed strong and survived the hard times.
Novelist Luis Urrea's essay about Life as an act of Literary Creation was pretty intriguing to me, because I agree with him that awareness of the world around you is an important aspect of the art of living. He says that if you just look around, you can find plenty of stories and beauty in the world, and also says that if you don't look hard enough---or deep enough, rather---you'll miss a lot. I wonder, how many people would honestly consider themselves to be "aware" of the world around them? I mean, a full, deep awareness, looking below the surface of all the things around you---not necessarily awareness in a social sense, not being tuned in to all current events, but just having an honest appreciation for all the "storylines" flowing around us; how many people read God's poetry?
ReplyDeleteDavid Buetow's chronicles on how his life was changed by his canine companion, Duncan, sparked an interested me. I enjoyed the fact that such a simple idea about a man and his best friend was depicted in a strong, charismatic way. I was also touched by the fact that his dog had changed David completely; it made him view how the small things in life are something to consider and marvel at. He learned how to appreciate every minute of every day; it made me think: do I do this? I certainly do not, many people are the same way. However, it is, to me, admirable, and made me want to do the same; it provided me with a form of motivation. I should get my mom to read it-then she will possibly consider getting a family pet, and not a turtle. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading the articles I chose; they were very insightful and enjoyable.
Under "Gratitude":
(http://thisibelieve.org/essay/19213/)
I guess my favorite essay was "Leaving Identity Issues to Other Folks" by Phyllis Allen. Although it wasn't some tear jerking, eye-opening,emotional essay, I did find it interesting the way she cataloged her life and how her beliefs changed. She started out in the 1950's where she was taught to beleive that she should try to be the best she could and as a "colored" woman, that meant balcony seats, backdoor takeout, and putrid water fountains. However, as the civil rights movement came, she found herself to be a "negro" who would clench her fist in anger and fight for "the" cause. In the 80's she and her friends tried to reconnect with Africa, as "African-Americans" and in the 90s she realized it was less about race and more about money. After all this Allen claims that she holds very few beliefs but no longer lets the vacillations of social trends dictate them. I thought it was interesting because it reflected the way we grow and transform with society. Basically, how our belief systems are largely a function of our environment. It points out the fact that no matter what we may think consciously, our times partially determine our conceptions of self. Ironically, Allen claims that at 50, she is now impervious to this influence, however, only time will tell...
ReplyDeleteInteresting interpretation. I love her essay. And everyone should read the one about being cool to the pizza delivery guy.
ReplyDeleteThe essay that I consider my favorite was very emotional, heartbreaking and melancholic and it was "A kind and Generous Heart" by Christine Little under the "Illness" theme. I was very touched by the way that she described how her ill 13-year-old son, Dustin, was just laying in a hospital bed waiting for a heart transplant. He turned 14 and he was still attached to a machine that would help his heart beat. Christine believed in selfless gift after someone as young as Dustin donated their heart to him. Dustin lived for three, he was 17 and he was a healthy, smart teen in high school that got a girlfriend. He was enjoying life for once, but tragically his new heart failed too. She says that those were the best two years in her entire life. She got numerous memories, photographs and the memory of the selfless gift he also showed. When he died he donated his sky blue eyes to someone that needed them. She says that she will never forget that and that when she would see the person's eyes she would see her son's selfless gift on them. The essay made me think about how we always complain about a small and insignificant issues with our bodies, nose, eyes, etc. Instead, we should be thankful and graceful that we are healthy and alive while other are not so fortunate . It made me appreciate life and what I have more. I would also like to donate any organ from my body to someone that is in need.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, since I'm a very sensitive person, it made cry :)
oh sorry i forgot to finish the sentence
ReplyDeletelived for three more years
and he was 16 when he died.
ReplyDeleteGosh I'm so out of everything today!
As I mentioned in class, I love the essay by astrophysicist Alan Lightman, "The Power of Mysteries". He reflects on his childhood wonder at the stars, and all of the questions he always had about the universe. Does the universe go on forever? Does it have an end? What about time? Does it just stretch on forever? Was there a beginning? All of these questions fueled his interest in scince and astrophysics. He points out that questions like these are what fuel everyone in science, that these questions are at the center of the works of many great thinkers. He goes on to say that he hopes no one ever finds the answers, because without mysteries and the unknown there would no longer be inspiration for science, art, and creativity. I love this essay because I do agree that the unknown is essential to fueling desire to learn, that there should always be questions we cannot answer!
ReplyDeleteThere are a bunch of other essays I love as well but I need to stop myself before I write all night!
>>~~Katie~>
Man's Greatest Power was the one i enjoyed. Not particualrly for the essay, but for the belief.Unfortunately, or fortunately, i did not cry, yet i wad deeply connected to the essay. The fact that we as humans have an ability to choose, is something so great and profound that it is overlooked and often people claim that they do not have a choice. i personally get aggrevated by two things, when people wish to dwell in ignorance and when people claim that they "have to" do something or they had no "choice" in the matter. It simply tells me that you had no brain in the matter that you call your head. The author's awakening to the power of choice was through his reading of "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck. What made me smile in the essay though was the fact that this kid was still in school, when he realized the importance of having a choice. It gives me reassurance that there are teenagers with brains,who choose how their lives turn out, instead of simply being drug along by social trends.
ReplyDeleteI chose "Thought for Tomorrow" By Bernard Baruch for it was really one of the few that actually interested me. His writing gave me hope in humanity, and it confirmed my already standing beliefs. He believes in the progress of tomorrow even though tomorrow may bring disaster. And we will never achieve perfection for "Paradise is not for this world." There is no need for us to eradicate pain but needless suffering we can. Man will still be tainted, but with the use of decency we shall prevail over all.
ReplyDeleteThe one essay which I found most interesting was "Testing The Limits of What I Know and What I Feel" by John Updike from the Self-Knowledge theme. I found that I share some of his views, concerning fiction and creativity. It is easier for us to relate and even become close to fictional characters more than celebrities in a T.V. program, since we do not explore their motives. We strive to understand the desires of fiction and we crave this indirect way of expression instead of hard analysis and factual information which is clear, cut and dry. I also find it interesting that he mentioned being of "two minds" - one which is logical and seeks to explain occurrences with scientific fact, and another who is concerned with desires and maybe illusions which we formulate to keep our ideas in place. I found it extremely captivating since I believe the exact same thing - which I think may be true for every human being. People usually either lean to hard facts and reasoning or creativity and fiction, though when one combines the two views and applies them to daily life, one is able to attain some kind of enlightenment and attain true self-knowledge.
ReplyDeleteChristina believes in forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteon her "This I Believe" essay, Christina states that when it came to forgiving she found it dufficult when it came to her race. Her parents always tought to forgive but she found it difficult. But it wasn't until she realized that the sacfrice her parents made in immagrating to America that she realized that she and ultimately we(all) should let the petty things go because we should be thankful for the opprtunies that are given to us in this country. I loved this essay because, well, I realize that pmy family gave up almost everything they owned, to come to this country. They forgave the people who treated them unjustly because they were thinking of me and my future before I was even born. They could have packed back up their bags and go back home to raised me in a society with limited educational opprotunites for children. But they didn't. No longer will I let myself feel deprived!
who is "sexyt1206"? That's quite a moniker!
ReplyDeleteOne essay that talked about the fear of death which was very powerful to me. I believe that death is waiting for everyone some place and it is up to us to live our lives joyous and fun filled. The lady in this story was fighting cancer and she recovered from it in 2 years. When she moved to Michigan to start a new life, the cancer followed her. Because of this she is living in fear of dying. There will never be a cure for her fear until her death. It struck home with me because I believe that death is sometimes following where I go. So many accidents has happened where I was in a situation that could have taken my life. I stayed strong and survived the hard times.
ReplyDelete