Discipline- The Road to Freedom

Discipline is an important part of our lives, and is an important step in achieving freedom. As Aristotle once said, “Through discipline comes freedom” discipline allows people to be free to achieve bigger goals. And not even just far reached goals, if one disciplines themselves to charge their phone every night, then they are free from worry the following day about running out of batteries in the middle of a call. Through discipline, Helen keller was able to be free to explore the world, despite that she was blind, deaf and mute. Many African Americans managed to overcome discrimination and segregation through discipline, one of which was Ruby Bridges. Malala Yousafzai is also an example of freedom through discipline.

Discipline was an important part with the life of Helen Keller. In 1882, when Keller was one-and-a-half years old, she fell ill and became blind, deaf and mute. Frustrated with a limited method of communication, Keller often threw tantrums and was wild and unruly. Finally, Helen Keller’s family hired Ann Sullivan to help their daughter. Sullivan invented a method of communication involving tapping one’s hand. She tried to connect objects and the tapping to Keller, but she rebelled. Finally, Helen Keller had a breakthrough when Ann Sullivan poured water onto Keller’s hand after tapping “water”; Keller had made her first connection. Helen became curious about the world around her, learning new words every day, and it is discipline that allowed Keller to make that breakthrough.

Ruby Bridges was able to overcome discrimination against African Americans through discipline. She was selected, along with many other African Americans, to take a test to determine whether they could or could not attend a “white” school. It was said that the test was exceptionally hard to give African American children a harder time to pass. In 1960, Ruby Bridge’s family was informed that she, along with 6 other African American children had passed the test. Ruby Bridges began attending the William Frantz School, the only African American there. When she arrived at the school, mobs of people protested at the intergration, rioting and throwing objects. Marshals had to accompany her to school and back home. Nearly all the white parents had kept their children at home and all through the day, protesters wre screaming outside. Only one teacher agreed to teach Ruby. Facing racism for a year, the school enrollment finally returned to normal, and through her discipline, Ruby was able to overcome these experiences, and with amny other African Americans, freed themselves from discrimination.

Malala Yousafzai is an example of how discipline can provide freedom. As a child, she attended a school funded by her father, but the Taliban began attacking many schools for girls. This began Yousafzai’s activism in the right for education. She began to speak out about the injustice and starting blogging for the BBC. When Malala was 14, the Taliban issued a death threat against her and her family. Although initially afraid, Malala still continued her speeches. On her way home from school one day, a man boarded a bus which Yousafzai was on and shot her. She was immediately flown to a military hospital, then to England where she recovered. She still speaks today about the importance of education for girls, women and everyone alike, but it was her discipline that kept her going and granted the freedom of education to many other girls.

Contrary to many beliefs, discipline does not always restrain someone from what they want to do. It allows people to not so easily succumb to their impulses, allowing them to be free to achieve higher goals. In order to achieve freedom, we need to discipline ourselves and allowing us to be free to make more decisions in the future.

Deceit

A deception that elevates us is dearer than a host of low truths.
                 -Marina Tsvetaeva

Deception itself is often looked down upon; after all, no one likes a liar. However, pretending that something is true when it is not can sometimes have a good effect and a positive outcome. In a way, deception, when used for a greater cause can be helpful. Deception is a bit like acting; you develop an “alter ego” and assume that person’s personality. If that alter personality is easily irritated, you will soon become easily irritated yourself, and if the opposite happened, your new personality is a cheerful, happy and optimistic person, you sill soon become happier and more optimistic.

We have an instinct to lie and deceive. Studies show that babies, even at the age of 6 months begin to deceive. They fake laugh and sometimes cry when nothing is wrong, just to get attention. In fact, studies show that deception is at times necessary. We all try to hide our mistakes, believing that it was a stroke of bad luck. Deception itself is completely normal. In fact, studies show that slightly overrating oneself is actually psychologically healthy. It can reduce stress, help form better relationships, and makes us less prone to depression by protecting our egos.

Whenever meeting new people, I always feel self conscious and awkward. I fumbled over words and was never sure about what exactly what was expected of me. Yet, I soon realized that if I pretended to be at ease with the other person, it is easier to strike up a conversation. When trying to act friendlier, I began to feel friendlier and more relaxed, laughing easily at their jokes and be acquainted with said person. Perhaps before meeting the person, I was in a crabby mood or had paradigms of that person, but pretending to be friendlier helped me overcome the prejudices.

There are cases in real life where deception is used for the greater good. In a nursing home in Germany, they placed a fake bus stop outside the Alzheimer's ward. Should the patients wander off out onto the streets, they would sit down and wait for a bus, and thus are safer and easier to find. Through this, we can see that sometimes deception isn’t a terrible thing,

Yet, deception may have its darker sides. Convincing oneself that the large cake they ate is justified because they hadn’t had cake in 2 days. Perhaps at the beginning, we lied to ourselves that we are able to talk in front of a large crowd worked; deception can have a snowball effect. As we find that deception, in this case, self-deception, can help us, we begin to apply this strategy more easily, and feeling less guilt while being more reckless as we do so.

In conclusion, although deception is shunned in our worlds, it is an inevitable part of our lives. Who could forget Pinocchio, whose nose grew when he lied and the terrible consequences that followed. Yes, deception has is bad effects, but its positive effects outweigh the negative. Perhaps we shouldn’t put our feet too deep in the hole of deceit, but lying now and then to our selves is perfectly acceptable.

Shouts of Silence

The night is quiet. The night is loud. Robins spread their wings around their young who sleep peacefully with full stomachs. For now, they are safe behind the thick branches and concealed by the leaves. Not a sound comes from them. A few twigs below them, lay a resting squirrel in a snug hole. Its nutshells are scattered across his home. He doesn’t chatter anymore. This tree is sound asleep, or so it seems. On the opposite side of the trunk, a spider works slowly and carefully on her web. Each fall and climb creates an intricate design and pattern. Her eight thin arms weave the silver thread silently. Above her masterpiece, and owl hoots.

A couple meters to their right, closer to the dying lights of the urban world, a thief masked in black scours the area. A metal clang is followed by rustling, as he pokes his head around for the promise of food. His time has come to do what he does the best. After a whole day of camping out, he attacks his prey. This night he is not interrupted.

The creatures inside the building did not register the clang of their garbage can. No, they were dreaming. Their lights have been extinguished to embrace the silence and to reach their minds to the stars. Their breathing is even and shallow. The purr of the computer and the hum of their fans are mute at the moment. Time to time, the peace is disturbed by a whoosh. It was something passing their house at a great speed. Through their open windows, cars can be heard running back to put other sleepy creatures to bed. And wait! There is the distinct sound of snoring.

Along the streets, the moon and stars are not the only ones spilling light in the night. Street lamps bathe the roads with small pools of warmth. They shower the grass with yellow light, but consequently, clouding the stars. The crickets’ chirps are melted into the air.

Above the cloud of light, higher into the sky, millions of stars drown the heavens. The sun is away and resting, the moon soft and soothing. Yet in the clusters of stars, planets and galaxies, the constellation Leo roars loudly in the sky. Yes, there is also Orion, bow ready, guarding the night. Little Bear seeks comfort from Big Bear. The planets continue to orbit around each other endlessly. Are they asleep? No, they are very much awake like the rest of our little world.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Talking is highly utilized in social life. A prime minister delivering a speech, telling a joke, or even a friendly "hello". With all these purposes, talking seems like the most effective way of communication. It is surprising how easily people can be manipulated by means of talking, or the lies that are coated within the words. Is talking really the ultimate form of communication?

With the advancement of technology, more people are communicating with one another via email text, or other social medias. Phones are barely used, as a single text can convey the same purpose, but in a faster and more convenient way. Be that as it may, a text sent as a joke could be read in a different light. It could be received as rude, offensive, or even insulting. A sorrowful update on Facebook might not be able to express the true in depth feelings, hence, the hurt will be easily swept aside. Face to face talking allows emotions to ride out on the words to project true thoughts on a subject matter. A simple verbal greeting can show someone what social/relationship status they stand on. Through text, a "hey" can offer many mixed feelings and messages. Also, talking is more preside and easy to understand. It can coax out immediate reaction and response, whereas an email might be accidentally delete do purposely ignored. On the phone and through speech, it is a safe bate that the message was delivered.

When parting, the farewell can give an indication as to how well the discussion went. It can show a summary of the chat. A reluctant goodbye, to a curt part, or an acrid hiss can't be seen or felt through text. It is more accurate to communicate with speech.

The emotions that easily brew out can have a side affect. If someone does not wish to share selective feelings, it would be more comfortable to communicate through text. Like so, people can easily act aloof instead of nervous, happy instead of jealous, and so on. They will be able to fake emotions to fit the context, and cover true feelings with the help of a text' slow sentimental value. Texts can mask unwanted thoughts that a soft tone or a gruff reply can give away. Naturally, the discussion won't be as effective, but it will sure be satisfying. Also through text, people often become braver. Since immediate response can be avoided, people can hide behind their words. For example, an employee who is intimidated by their boss can ask for a raise through email.

Some times, words cannot explain the true feelings or the apologies. A small smile with a pat on the back and even a hug, can explain a whole story. When some one is upset, they do not want to complain to others, but a glazed eye can show it all. A hand gesture, raised eyebrows, or a twitch of the lips can tell a lot about the hidden meanings behind words. Talking is a form of verbal communication, but nonverbal communication works just fine. Talking can indeed display the different tones, but sometimes a harsh 'No' is an accident. Appraise the body for different signs. Creased eyebrows, crossed arms and a puffed up chest can signify a strong disagreement whereas a scrunched face and a small roll of the eyes may indicate a slight annoyance. Taking in the signs of body language can show others exactly what going on in the mind, without the heavy baggage of words.

Talking is quite effective in business or persuasion, by hearing others' reaction, can alert the speaker to change tactics and try a different approach. Talking may not be the most satisfying mean of communication, but is is surely effective and easy to understand.

Materialism- Should it be criticized?

Materialism, defined by Merriam Webster is “a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things”. Today, we can see many people going to malls, buying the latest trend in shoes, clothing and other unnecessary items. Although I believe that materialism itself is a reprobate trait, modern society shouldn’t criticize people for being materialistic. Yes, money can’t buy happiness, but it can, in some degree, bring satisfaction. Some studies show that our brain releases dopamine, the reason why we feel pleasure, when thinking of buying goods and being materialistic is a part of human instinct.

We usually associate buying things with positive emotions. Subsequently, we think that purchasing new stuff makes us happy. In a study, researchers looked the activity in the brain when we decide to buy something. When a person views an object, an area in the brain called the nucleus accumbens lights up when that person liked what they saw and our brain gets flooded dopamine at the thought of getting what they wanted. Perhaps because of this sensation of pleasure, we tend to buy it, giving in to our desires. However, studies show that with the passing of time, although we can still experience the positive emotions when using the product, we will experience this emotion less and less, thus prompting us to throw it out and buy something new.

In addition, some theories say that materialism is a natural instinct. In terms of Darwin's theory of evolution, we can see how we would become materialistic. Since natural resources are limited, human beings had to compete over them, and try to posses as much as possible. Another theory suggests that materialism is a survival instinct. Because of materialism, where we are constantly restless and constantly craving, we are in a state of alertness. When we are dissatisfied, we keep seeking for ways to satisfy ourselves, and in the process we are on the look out for ways of improving our chances of survival; if we were satisfied we would become relaxed and incautious, and other predators would take advantage of that.

Yet, there are many cases where being materialistic can bring dissatisfaction. The old saying “money can’t buy happiness” would be appropriate. After all, we will experience less satisfaction as time goes by with material wealth. And there are many instances where materialism consumed people to such an extent that they spend every waking hour thinking about their growing collection of clothes, cars, phones etc.

In conclusion, material wealth, or materialism is completely appropriate, if it does not affect one’s personal and everyday life. People should not criticize others for their materialism as it is a part of human nature, and is thus, inevitable. Although people should not dwell on material wealth too much and aspire to be on top of the latest trend, and should instead spend more time with family and friends, materialism should be accepted in modern society. Or perhaps, as a better solution, people should spend their money on experiences, such as vacations with the family as opposed to products.

Kindness: Is it from the Heart

In everyday life, we are told to be kind towards others, treat others the way you want to be treated and respect people. In our early years, teachers, parents and all adults teach us to be respectful and polite. We seem to have an instinct that makes us treat others kindly. Yet, in our deepest hearts, we aren’t so kind and warmhearted. Our desire to be kind will most likely be subconsciously attributed to our desire for everyone else to treat us the same way. We may want to gain a reputation of a kind person, allowing more people to trust in us. Perhaps our drive to be kind isn’t from the goodness of our hearts, but from our own personal gain.

When I was younger, I once helped my sister wash the dishes. The following day, it was my turn to wash the dishes and I asked my sister to help.

“I helped you yesterday, so you have to help me today,” I had told her.

Most people, when doing a kind act, expect it to be returned. Perhaps they refuse it, but subconsciously we all expect it. The saying what comes around goes around can be attributed to this. If the other person refuses to help or show kindness back, our first reaction would be to not show kindness back either. On the other hand, when someone shows kindness to me, I feel obliged to do the same thing. There are many instances where people who don’t get along become the best of friends after a bit of kindness. Maybe it is the deepest urge for us to return the favor that makes us in turn, nice to others.

Also, when we show kindness to everyone around us, we gain a reputation of being polite, trustworthy, respectable and moral. We can easily borrow objects from our friends or colleagues, them knowing that you will return it back, as oppose to them giving the object acquiescingly, or not at all. For example, a person who never returns borrowed money will soon gain a bad reputation and make it harder for them to borrow money later on.

In conclusion, kindness isn’t a bad thing, and most people won’t have sinister reasons for their kindness and aspire to be kind because they want to be kind. However, there will always be some degree of selfishness, a reason why we are being kind. It could be something small, such as wanting others to be kind to you as well, but a reason nonetheless.

Reading is Believing

Monsters. Vampires. Unicorns. These are creatures that show up in many books like the Twilight Saga, the Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. Of course they aren’t read. Time machines, anti-aging potions and super powers: unreal, and unlikely. This kind of information wrapped neatly into an interesting storyline can capture the minds of many avid readers. Books like these create a nice world for readers to imagine during their free time, but could simultaneously be brainwashing them.

On the way to work, it seems like a good time to pull out that Angel & Demon book. The peace-bringing angel releases her heavenly magic as she single-handedly protects the world from the nasty demon. With a chuckle, the book is stored back away into the bag.  That’s when the thoughts pop out. Can angels be real? Could everything be real? Do good guys always win?

Books that portray the protagonist, as a lucky, average kid will lead people into believing in sugar coated lies. A dorky teen does not gain respect in a couple of days. There isn’t a prince charming to save the day. A stab in the heart will kill. Books make falling in love easy and they make I perfect. Miracles do occur, but they happen too often. This leads people into thinking that life is simple. Simple as in – a perfect partner will fall through the door, drugs will be pushed aside, and murderers will stop killing.

The teenagers of this generation are constantly wrapped up in their own fantasy world for too long, that it becomes a hazard. When partying out with friends, caution may be discarded into the wind. A bottle too much of beer, one cigarette, and a taxi ride home, seem like good ideas. After all, nobody gets hurt in the stories they’ve read. The characters get drunk, and drive home at one o’clock in the morning, and arrive home safely. The real world has kidnappers and thieves. There are health issues and illnesses that are constantly ignored or left out in books. Some stories use unrealistic events in hopes of reinforcing an idea/moral. However, they can subconsciously infer that it’s okay to sneak out to danger zones in the middle of the night and break fundamental rules and stay out of trouble. The kids of this generation take ideas out of books to think procrastination is the answer. However, incomplete projects remain incomplete. Most fiction books give readers warped paradigms of the world.

More books should be focused on real world plots. They could be about suicidal problems, war, or cancer. Books like the Fault in our Stars, Little Women, and autobiographies can offer readers an insight of our real world.

It is no surprise that fantasy books are more interesting than the truth. They like to portray the world as it should be, but poverty, discrimination, pollution, and diseases, are part of nature. These important factors are conveniently left out which can cause the readers’ sight of the world to grow narrow. Of course, people will like for the world to be perfect, so the fantasy stories are pleasing the mind and soul.

Books play a huge role in influencing a person’s thought and beliefs, especially towards children. Having books to guide through problems of the current world may be boring and lifeless, but for the benefit of children, readers should see the truth.

Good News is No News

When reading a newspaper heading, we are confronted with headlines such as “Plane crashes leaving 6 injured” or “Earthquake hits the coast of Haiti”. In fact, when facing headlines such as “New light on cancer research” people tend to skip the article. Although good news may not be counted as no news, bad news has a way of snaring people’s attention. We focus on bad news and tend to notice bad things more often than good things, and bad news keeps us in a state of suspense.

Throughout the day, we constantly grumble about our lazy classmate, our unfair boss and how the world is against you. We always notice the little things that ruin our day, such as a bird dropping on your car window. Good news, to us, is the ordinary, it is what should happen, what we deserve. Perhaps, we didn’t notice that a friend complemented our new shoes or someone said thank you when you held the door for them. Because we notice all these bad things, we can easily notice bad news on the newspaper.

In a good story, there needs to be a problem first, then a solution. Bad news, in a way is the problem while good news signifies the “ending” of the story. Bad news keeps us suspenseful, a feeling we crave. As with a good book, we long to know what will happen next and we continue on reading. Good news, when solving a problem, would ultimately be the ending and the "happily ever after". As bad news develops, we crave to know what will happen, if it will end well or not.

Ultimately, bad news has a way of captivating us. Good news might not necessarily be “no news” but, in a way, it is less interesting and less suspenseful. Perhaps it is in our deepest instincts to be more alert for bad news such as our “flight or fight” reaction, but bad news, for now will stay on the front page.

Over the Horizon

A cool breeze runs through a prairie. The lush green grass covers different wonders under each stalk. It ripples softly. The smell of flowers wafts around the floor and sky, accompanied by the sounds of life. A bird sings; a bee hums. A couple of pine trees fill the area; it is the crown of the prairie, but also the heart. The trees are tall with age with roots reaching down to the beginning of life.

Just below, a she-wolf brings 3 cubs to the world. Their eyes open to the sight of the prairie, their home. 2 butterflies flutter around a group of yellow daisies and their colours bring joy and peace to many. A deer drinks from a crystal pond which canvasses an image of the blue sky like a painting. Soon, the sun dips into the horizon. It leaves behind a trail of red, then pink, then orange. Colours, which painters and photographers can never seem to capture.

Years later, mother wolf ages and is carried into the night. She finds her way into the moon, where she watches over her children. The youngest, no longer a pup, looks upon the moon and howls to his mother. The meadow is silent with sleep and his musical notes linger in the air. His two older siblings left in search of food. They never came back.

In the morning, he decides to look for them. He took one more glance at his beloved home, teemed with life, and then turns and leaves. Surely, his sibling lay just over the horizon. He tore through the endless roads and ran faster than the wind. No matter how fast he ran, each step forward, the horizon moved one step back. He kept running as the sun and moon continued their toil. What lay over the horizon? He ran until her could run no more and he finally stopped. He returned to his home but it was not as he left it.

It was dark and dull, the grass were flimsy little strings. There were not animals, not signs of any one. Where there used to be a beautiful pond, lay not a cracked hole. It was all drained away – its lovely painting was stolen away too. Heavy, black clouds blocked all the sun and the moon cast an eerie glow. The havoc continued. What sorry rays of sun there were left shone on the pine trees. The same one which brought him to existence was only a heap of twigs and branches. He looked up at the moon and howled with anguish – each of his notes carried the raw loneliness of his sorrow.

A sudden gust of wind rushed at him and blew a pine seed in his direction. The seed was not damaged and it was the only colour in the monochromatic world. He planted the seed and waited. He cried in despair and his tears filled the dry land with water. He cried and cried until the clouds rained away. Finally the seed sprouted, pushed away the soil, and grew faster by the minutes. It grew so tall that the top couldn’t be seen. Life slowly crept back and everything fit back together. The prairie thrived once more, all from one seed. 

What lies over the horizon? Nothing. Yet, everything.