hope...

I’ve really enjoyed reading both Brave New World and Postmodernism. Both books have opened my mind to a whole new thought process. A couple questions that have been on my mind this week are: What are myths? Why are they important? And are they really true? A myth is a story with a purpose. It tries to explain the way the world is. Myths also try to explain the relationship between gods and humans. Myths send a message that has an important social or religious meaning. I believe myths are vital because they give meaning to life. One can turn to past experiences, history, or myths for advice, encouragement, and knowledge. Myths are filled with hope. When life gets tough, one shall always turn to Truth. I’m a firm believer that everything rides on hope and faith and a positive attitude. When the world has broken one down, Truth and love will set them free.

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. Don't wait until everything is perfect; it never will be. There will always be challenges and obstacles. So with each step you take, grow stronger, more skilled, and more confident. When you believe in yourself and maintain a positive attitude, life will become a lot easier. Although in life, you can only do so much to benefit society, doing what you can is better than doing nothing at all. “Big stories, stories of mythic proportions account for, explain and subordinate all lesser, little, local narratives” (29). I interpreted this to mean that when your personal life (“little narrative”) is focused on improving the society (the “big stories, stories of mythic proportions”), life becomes easier and full of meaning. Perhaps life is about what we give, not what we get..

There comes a time when every life goes off course. In this desperate moment you must choose your direction. Will you fight to stay on the path while others tell you who you are? Or will you label yourself? Will you be honored by your choice? Or will you embrace your new path? Each day you have the choice to move forward or to give up. Always move forward.

I believe that everyone, at some point in their life, questions their true purpose in life. Although myths don't clearly answer the full question, they provide a hopeful viewpoint.

the power of choice..

I’ll admit, I am utterly intrigued by the novel Brave New World. Although I disagree with many of the aspects in the book, I think they are interesting ideas that somewhat relate to todays society. In Brave New World, Huxley talks about how in history, "Family, monogamy, [and] romance"(40) were key morals in many lives; but now, it is all about "COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, [and] STABILITY"(3). It saddens and scares me to think that our future may become similar to the ways described in Aldous Huxley's novel. Although it may be far in the future, if you look back, there have been many changes in our society even within the past 50 years. Morals have changed. It is inevitable that the worlds ways will change even more in the coming years unless we become the change we want to see in this world. I agree with Huxley when he states that "the secret of happiness and virtue [is] liking what you've got to do". I think that it is wrong to force someone into liking something. I think that one grows strong when they are granted the freedom to choose what they want to do in life.

I’ve realized that as years go on, we have more opportunities, more things we can become involved in, more situations, priorities, choices, and opinions to differentiate in. I’ve also realized that everything we do in life is a chance, a risk. We tend to run from attachments.. emotions.. truth. We constantly want to find the easy way out. When we are unhappy, we leave. When we feel uncomfortable, we walk away. When we are discontent or frustrated, we give up. Aldous Huxley states in Brave New World that "ending is better than mending" (49). Although I know that in most situations and relationships these days giving up and walking away may seem like the easy thing to do, I strongly believe that one shall always move forward.

live and learn

Last week in class we gathered together in a circle and discussed many differently viewed topics. Many interesting arguments came about throughout the discussion which got me to really think… What is truth? What is a fact? What is history? What defines history? And most important, what is success?

“Who controls the past, controls the future; who controls the present, controls the past.” The past is always a rebuke to the present. If the past has been an obstacle and a burden, knowledge of the past is the safest and the surest emancipation. I believe the past is our manual to the present and future.

We cannot escape history and neither can we escape a desire to understand it. The deepest, the only theme of human history, compared to which all others are of subordinate importance, is the conflict of skepticism with faith. Ambrose Bierce once stated, “God alone knows the future, but only a historian can alter the past.” To know the truth of history is to realize its ultimate myth and its inevitable ambiguity. The important thing is to never stop questioning and exploring the ways of life. Thomas Mann stated that “History is that which has happened and that which goes on happening in time. But also it is the stratified record upon which we set our feet, the ground beneath us; and the deeper the roots of our being go down into the layers that lie below and beyond the ... confines of our ego, yet at the same time feed and condition it, ... the heavier is our life with thought and the weightier is the soul of our flesh.”

What is a fact? What is truth? What is history? What is success? I believe each being has the opportunity and choice to differentiate in their beliefs and opinions. Freedom is a beautiful thing. I believe a successful society is made up of many opinions. I believe our identities and past experiences influence how we deal with situations. I believe we (as in our society, families, schools, government, and friends) will find success if we learn to love and if we yearn to learn from the past in order to improve our present and the future. I believe that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control defines happiness and true success. Lastly, I believe we should learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. Live as if we were to die tomorrow. Learn as if we were to live forever.